PR Focus on Patrons with Disabilities: The ISU Approach

Abstract

Indiana State University’s (ISU) Library staff are constantly trying to find ways to provide better service to all patrons. Informally, the staff noticed that there seemed to be more students with disabilities on campus, but they didn’t see a substantial number using the Library. Discussion and speculation did not answer questions raised about the number of students on campus with disabilities, the services that they needed, or what outreach the Library could provide to this group of users. The staff realized that they needed to investigate these observations and determine if they were accurate. The Public Relations (PR) Team, under the leadership of the Public Relations Coordinator, together with the Library ADA Compliance Coordinator, provided the spark needed to investigate and address the needs of students with disabilities.