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.

 

Inclusive Youth Spaces and Services Webinar Recording Now Available

 Jeni Schomber, DPI Public Library Consultant, shared the following in her DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources July 25, 2024 newsletter.

More Than Welcome: Libraries Serving Families of Young Children With Disabilities – webinar recording

Are you interested in serving ALL children in your communities? Are you wondering how you might make your spaces, programs, and services more inclusive for children with disabilities and their families? This webinar recording is a culminating product of the IMLS-funded (LG-246297-OLS-20) Services for Children of All Abilities in Libraries: An Exploration (SCALE) project. The webinar was designed to convey how libraries can be more than just welcoming for families of children with disabilities. A customizable flyer (for your library programs and services) and an Inclusive Library Spaces and Programs for Young Children self-assessment are both available on the webinar recording site on YouTube.

Zoom Program - Augmentative and Alternative Commuication

Kristine Millard is working on her MLIS at UW-Madison as well as managing a lab that studies early language development in toddlers with autism. Periodically, she shares resources relating to developmental disabilities that you might find useful.

When I was working in a library, Thursday mornings were a favorite. Someone who knew my schedule might have thought it was because those were my outreach days. Don’t get me wrong, heading out to daycares and 4K classes was a great part of the job. Returning to see a small school bus in the parking lot was, too. That’s when the developmentally disabled students came to the library. They always had the best manners and our staff made sure they knew they were welcome and that we were happy to help find what they were looking for.

Sometimes there were non-verbal students in the group. As I got to know them, it was clear they were still able to share with caregivers what kind of library materials were important. Some used an adaptive communication tool that looked a lot like an iPad but was much more robustly configured for their needs. Whenever a new book was added to the collection within their interests, I only needed to see the look in their eyes to know I was handing over a winner. 

The Waisman Center has a Saturday event coming up on October 15 from 9-11 am that is free and open to the public on Zoom. This year’s Augmentative and Adaptive Communication Day with the Experts is going to include two presentations that may appeal to librarians. First, a self-advocate, Mike Hipple, will share: A Drive Through AAC Communities: Learning Why it is so Important to be in Communities on this Journey. I’m looking forward to hearing how community organizations are doing well with serving AAC users, and where we can do better. I make no guarantees about libraries getting a mention, but we all have community partners we can work with.

After Mr. Hipple speaks, a Speech Language Pathologist will share thoughts on Literacy for AAC Users. 

I checked with the event coordinator, and there is no limit to the number of people who can join the Zoom session. I hope to see you there virtually (October 15 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am)!

Adapted Books and Sign Language

Kristine Millard is working on her MLIS at UW-Madison as well as managing a lab that studies early language development in toddlers with autism. Periodically, she shares resources relating to developmental disabilities that you might find useful.

In September, the http://wfdeaf.org/iwdeaf2022/ hosts various events to build awareness and acceptance. Like me, you may occasionally insert sign language into fingerplays, and other elements of storytime while wanting to know more about this language and how to truly communicate with it. If your library subscribes to Transparent Language, you already have a tool at your fingertips to help with this. 

While you work toward fluency, you can still share Sign Language in your storytimes. My favorite book to use with signing is Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See? By Bill Martin, Jr. and illustrated by Eric Carle. 

I printed these notes and made an adapted book with the signs taped right on the pages. Do remember you will need multiple copies so you can repeat each animal. To save myself from having to fit the refrains, “What do you see?,” and “I see a …,” into each page, I made fold-out flaps attached to the front and back covers of my book.

For those of you who are advanced signers, or want more authenticity, I suggest using this video from the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf.

WI Library Launches Accessibility App

As seen in the Summer 2022 WLA newsletter:

This May, the W.J. Niederkorn Library launched an accessibility app, Sensory WJN, to help children and families with children on the autism spectrum and/or other sensory needs to help prepare them for their visit, as well as help them navigate the library on their visit. The app, developed in partnership with Infiniteach, was funded by the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) Sparks Building Connections Grant.

Jamie Mercer, Head of Youth Services, applied for the Sparks Grant in September of 2021. The BPDD outlined the purpose of the Sparks Grant s as providing people with disabilities more social connections by participating in inclusive, meaningful community activities. Jamie proposed a series of Sensory Friendly Family programs along with the development of the Sensory App in partnership with Infiniteach. Munchkin Mondays and Sensory Saturdays have been a great success that we are thrilled that we can now pair with the app. The app includes an “Explore” section where users can read and/or listen to guides explaining what to expect when going to the library, during storytime and when leaving W.J. Niederkorn. The app also includes a “Communicate” section where users can tap on a picture to talk and ask for help. Additionally, there is a section where families can create

- Jamie Mercer, Head of Youth Services, W.J. Niederkorn Library, Port Washington

Helpful Autism Resource

Kristine Millard is working on her MLIS at UW-Madison as well as managing a lab that studies early language development in toddlers with autism. Periodically, she shares resources relating to developmental disabilities that you might find useful.

Recently, one of my colleagues shared a link from the National Autism Association on spotting the early signs of autism with me. The email arrived just before my lunch break, and I fell down a rabbit hole looking at other resources on that page. The one that struck me most includes tips for families who don't know when to approach their pediatrician with developmental concerns. There's a nice, printable chart called Spot ASD by Three families can go through and then share with a medical professional for further evaluation. 

If someone asks you for information on developmental guidelines, this could be a useful tool in your repertoire, or even a link on your website. We know as librarians we cannot give medical advice, but we can offer a list of developmental expectations. Because specific diagnoses can be particularly daunting for caregivers, it may also be helpful to have resources for typical development in the same area. Caregivers may then be able to browse physical brochures and flyers, or weblinks to find more information.

Disability Pride Month

It was only 32 years ago that Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The movie Crip Camp released in 2020 chronicles the struggles and triumphs of the disability community fighting for their rights to bring this legislation about.

Kendra Winchester at the BookRiot blog writes: "On July 26th, 1990, congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the first legislation of its kind that protects disabled people’s rights in the United States. Now through the entire month of July, Disability Pride recognizes and honors disabled, chronically ill, neurodivergent, and Deaf people. Although it’s not officially recognized nationally, Disability Pride Month is still celebrated across the country, and several major cities hold Disability Pride parades to honor the occasion."

In this thoughtful post, Kendra discusses Disability Pride, ways that libraries can participate, resources for disability literature and more. Stop here to read the full post. [A Book Lover's Guide to Disability Pride Month. Winchester, Kendra. BookRiot blog. July 5, 2022.]

Serving Children with Disabilities in Libraries: A Beginner’s Guide

Where should I begin?  This can sometimes be the most challenging part about developing library services to children with disabilities.  Fortunately, while there isn’t a one-stop-shop when it comes to expanding your knowledge in this area, there is a plethora of resources out there that can help you on your journey to becoming an advocate for children with disabilities.  Basically, what that means is that the first step is to learn.  And we are in luck, because Renee Grassi over at the ALSC Blog has compiled some of her favorite resources for creating better service to children with disabilities.  Check out the full list HERE.

Serving Everyone in Libraries

Pixabay Image

As Renee Grassi, Youth Dept Director at Glen Ellyn (IL) Public Library, writes, knowing where to begin "can sometimes be the most challenging part about developing library services to children with disabilities."

Renee has done a tremendous amount of work on inclusion issues for library services for youth and in an ALSC blog post, she shares her go-to resources to help all of us come up to speed as advocates and active service providers for all the kids in our community. After all, Renee says: " Being a librarian means being a student throughout your entire career."

To start - or continue your learning -  the list of books, web resources, articles and blogs is right here!