Accessibility

• Handicapped parking is available. The front entrance of the library is wheelchair accessible and equipped with an automatic door opener, as is the entrance from the lobby into the public area.

• An adjustable-height table is available in the reading room.
• A wheelchair accessible drinking fountain is located near the front entrance.

• A gender-inclusive and wheelchair accessible restroom is available. Please request information at the front desk.

• Lactation spaces are available across campus, and more information can be found here.

• The Bentley is not a usual classroom setting and working with the Bentley may be different from a typical class session or assignment. Most of the Bentley’s class sessions involve work with archival materials, or digital copies of materials. Examples include handwritten diaries, photographs, typewritten letters, videos, audio recordings, and archives websites. Many of these sources–even the text documents–have not been transcribed. If you think you might need an accommodation to access this material, please let your instructor know, or contact Meghan Courtney, Archivist for Academic Programs at megcourt@umich.edu. The Bentley looks forward to welcoming you!

• The Bentley Historical Library is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the broadest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. We aim to comply with Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards up to level AA. Please contact bhl-accessibility@umich.edu with questions or concerns.

• The Bentley Historical Library is committed to making its digital collections accessible to all users. If you encounter any barriers to accessing our material—including issues with readable text, captions, transcripts, or legacy file formats—you can request accessibility remediation or further assistance by contacting bhl-accessibility@umich.edu. We continuously work to improve access and welcome your feedback.

• Working with the Bentley may be different from a typical class session or assignment. Class sessions involve work with archival materials or digital copies of materials like handwritten diaries, photographs, typewritten letters, videos, audio recordings, and archived websites. Many of these sources—even the text documents—have not been transcribed. If you think you might need an accommodation to access this material, please let your instructor know, or contact Sarah McLusky, Archivist for Academic Programs at smclusky@umich.edu. The Bentley looks forward to welcoming you!
• UM also offers accommodation support through the Services for Students with Disabilities office.

What is fragrance?

• Fragrance is an ingredient in many personal care and cleaning products, often listed as “scent” or “parfum.”
  Shampoo, lotion, dryer sheets, deodorant, cleaning products, and even some office supplies all have fragrance.
• Fragrance is in so many things, it’s nearly impossible to eliminate.
• For that reason, these guidelines are only intended to help limit fragrance where possible in the reading room at the Bentley Historical Library, with the understanding that fragrance-free may not be an option for some people (see “important note” below).

Why are fragrance guidelines important?

• Some individuals have immediate reactions to fragrance due to allergies or sensitivities to fragrance and/or chemicals.
• A 2016 study, one of many on the topic of fragrance, found that 34% of the U.S. population reported health problems when exposed to fragrance.
• These symptoms can greatly impact people’s ability to participate fully in the workplace (and beyond).

What can Bentley patrons do to limit fragrances in the reading room?

• Consider reducing personal fragrance use, including perfume, cologne, or scented lotion. Please also consider reviewing the “Share the Air Toolkit on Fragrance Considerations” to learn more about ways you can reduce fragrance use.

An important note:

• For some individuals, using fragrance-free products may not be an option. Many fragrance-free products are cost-prohibitive, and fragrance-free alternatives to some products may be difficult to find. For some, fragrances may have cultural or religious significance. As a result, fragrance may not be possible to eliminate from the reading room.

Additional resources:

• Marsal School of Education accessibility website
• UCLA fragrance-free toolkit