Informational accessibility for people with functional diversity: Library of the Complutense University of Madrid: Case study

Abstract

Meeting the needs of groups with functional diversity in all areas of personal and social development will contribute to the assimilation of the diversity bias in society, enriching it and bringing it closer to reality. The article analyzes the situation of information accessibility for people with functional diversity in the Library of the Complutense University of Madrid. The objective is to determine the balance between needs and available services, and to make a proposal for improvement. In the methodology we highlight the priority use of a qualitative research technique, the interview, carried out with a sample of students with functional diversity and administration and services personnel linked to the care of this group. Among the results obtained we can point out that the Complutense University is committed to the inclusion of diversity; The Library has collections, resources and services for students with functional diversity; there are no major claims by students to improve information accessibility in the Library. However, it has also been discovered that this group uses the Library little and is unaware of its general and special services. The Complutense University Library is on the way to being fully inclusive for people with functional diversity, but it lacks a policy that combines actions and completes its services, a communication plan to connect with this group, and move from a passive role to a proactive one.