Services for Reciprocal Clients with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

1. Parties to this understanding

The libraries of:

• Curtin University
• Edith Cowan University
• Murdoch University
• The University of Notre Dame Australia
• The University of Western Australia
  
  

2. Definitions

For the purposes of this Understanding:

• the parties to this agreement will be referred to as "the participating libraries";
• each participating library is the "home library" for staff and students of its University and the "host library" for staff and students of other participating libraries;
• "services, facilities and equipment to clients with disabilities" refers to those specialist services, facilities and equipment provided by Universities to meet the needs of staff and students with disabilities and/or medical conditions;
• "clients with disabilities and/or medical conditions" refers to the staff and students who meet the eligibility criteria specified below;
• "Equity Officer" refers to the University staff member responsible for the administration of disability services at the home University. In different Universities, this person may carry a title such as Disability Officer, Student Support Officer or something equivalent. If no staff member is employed in this role, the "Equity Officer" may be a librarian.
  
  

3. Aim

The aim of this Understanding is to:

1. recognise the special needs of clients with disabilities and/or medical conditions and, through working with University Equity Officers, maintain, develop and promote services, facilities and equipment at all participating libraries to assist in meeting those needs.
2. as far as possible provide eligible clients from other participating libraries with access to the same services, facilities and equipment as eligible clients from the home library.
3. meet relevant legislative responsibilities associated with clients with disabilities and/or medical conditions.
4. promote regular exchange of information between participating libraries with the aim of enhancing and upgrading services, facilities and equipment.
   
   

4. Eligibility

Services, facilities and equipment will be provided by host libraries to the current staff and students of other participating libraries, provided that:

1. they are recognised by their home University as having a disability, medical condition or other impairment that makes them eligible for special assistance from university services, including the library and
2. they have registered with the appropriate Equity Officer at their home University (see "Conditions" below).

5. Terms of the understanding

The participating libraries agree that:

1. the home University retains principal responsibility for the provision of services, facilities and equipment for its staff and students.
2. with the exception of services that require resources to be posted to clients and services covered by restrictive licences, participating libraries will provide clients with disabilities and/or medical conditions from other participating libraries with the same services, facilities and equipment as they provide to their own clients with disabilities and/or medical conditions. This includes access to and use of the library's Resources Room or similar facility for clients with disabilities where available.
3. the host library accepts responsibility for assisting clients with disabilities and/or medical conditions from other participating libraries in the use of facilities and equipment available in the host library.

6. Conditions

1. clients with disabilities and/or medical conditions who require access to the services, facilities and/or equipment at another participating library must register with the Equity Officer of their home University and obtain a signed letter of introduction from their Equity Officer to the host library. This letter must be presented at the host library together with the client's current staff or student identification card.
2. availability of services requiring considerable staff time varies, and turnaround time should be negotiated, eg. services such as retrieving materials from shelves and copying. This is particularly relevant for services provided during evening and weekend opening hours, when staff availability may be limited.
3. clients with disabilities and/or medical conditions using the services, facilities and/or equipment at a host library will be bound by the rules, regulations and penalties of the host library and will be responsible for familiarising themselves with its rules and procedures.
4. any charges levied by the host library for utilising its services, facilities and/or equipment will be met by the client.
5. the provision of services, facilities and/or equipment will be reviewed at least annually by the Academic User Services Librarians Group (AUSLG).
   
   

Reviewed by AUSLG 22/11/10