Information Equality for Individuals with Disabilities: Does It Exist?

Drawing on the author's experience as an information professional for individuals with disabilities, this article discusses the challenges faced by both library users and staff in obtaining and providing information to this community. It poses four questions: Where do individuals with disabilities fit into diversity studies? Do individuals with disabilities come into our libraries? If not, why not? What can we do for current staffs to make sure they are prepared to serve the disabled of their communities? How can we prepare our future information professionals to provide high-quality services to individuals with disabilities? There is and will be a greater demand from individuals with disabilities for equal library services given an aging population and the technological advances that make equal services possible. We cannot consider ourselves information professionals until we understand this community, their needs, and how we provide for those needs.