Two IFLS Webinars, Open to All!

A Community for All: Disability Inclusion in Libraries
with Shelley Harris

Wednesday, February 19, 1:00-2:30 pm

REGISTER HERE

 

“When children cannot find themselves reflected in the books they read, or when the images they see are distorted, negative, or laughable, they learn a powerful lesson about how they are devalued in the society of which they are a part.” (Rudine Sims Bishop)

This is also true for community settings! To best serve patrons with disabilities, we need to understand their community, culture, and needs. Together, we will

• build a foundation of disability knowledge
• explore disability experiences,
• learn how to provide safe and inclusive spaces,
• consider how to serve patrons through our collections without causing harm.

Although the examples are youth focused, they can be adapted for any age.

Please contact Leah (langby@ifls.lib.wi.us) with requests for accommodation by January 30. 

 

A Community for All:  Building Lifelong Community Connections Through Programming 

with Shelley Harris

Wednesday, March 12, 1-2:30 pm

REGISTER HERE

 

77% of people with multiple disabilities don’t engage in community activities, per a 2005 study. How can we reach this beautiful, vibrant community, gain their trust, and create programming and services that include and welcome them? We will

• discuss ways to make all of your programming more inclusive of people with disabilities
• share examples of ways to build upon the work you already do
• discuss ways libraries can support and amplify disability culture and identity, an important aspect of creating a welcoming environment.

Please contact Leah (langby@ifls.lib.wi.us) with requests for accommodation by February 26.

 

Both webinars will be recorded, captioned, and available on the IFLS website and IFLS Staff Academy.  Each will provide 1.5 contact hours for public library directors certification.

 

Presenter: Shelley Harris, MLIS, is a children’s librarian in Oak Park, IL with a passion for early literacy, serving and celebrating the disability community, and exploring technology. She has a younger brother with a rare genetic syndrome who has used AAC for almost 30 years, which inspired her to earn a Bachelors in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She previously worked as a 1:1 paraprofessional with deaf and autistic children and has helped program her brother’s communication devices for decades. Everything she has learned from these experiences is funneled into creating inclusive and engaging library services and spaces for disabled kids and tweens, and helping families connect with services in the community. She can often be found practicing storytime songs with her black lab, Bingo.