Full Description
Librarians need to understand the needs and abilities of differently abled patrons, and anyone responsible for hiring and managing librarians must know how to provide an equitable environment. This book serves as an educational resource for both groups.
Understanding the needs and abilities of patrons who are differently abled increases librarians' ability to serve them from childhood through adulthood. While some librarians are fortunate to have had coursework to help them understand the needs and abilities of the differently abled, many have had little experience working with this diverse group. In addition, many persons who are differently abled are—or would like to become—librarians.
Disabilities and the Library helps readers understand the challenges faced by people who are differently abled, both as patrons and as information professionals. Readers will learn to assess their library's physical facilities, programming, staff, and continuing education to ensure that their libraries are prepared to include people of all abilities. Inclusive programming and collection development suggestions will help librarians to meet the needs of patrons and colleagues with mobility and dexterity problems, learning differences, hearing and vision limitations, sensory and cognitive challenges, autism, and more. Additional information is included about assistive and adaptive technologies and web accessibility. Librarians will value this accessible and important book as they strive for equity and inclusivity.
Contents
Foreword: As Far as the Eye May See, Blanche Woolls
Acknowledgments
Introduction, Clayton A. Copeland
PART I: THE HISTORIC ROLE OF DISABILITY RIGHTS ACTIVISTS, LIBRARIANS, AND OTHER ADVOCATES IN PROVIDING UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO INFORMATION
1 Access to Life: A Brief History of Universal Access, Linda Lucas Walling
2 What Is Universal Design?: Theories, Terms, and Trends, Knut M. Nygaard and Haakon Aspelund
PART II: UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENCES AND SEEING THE ABILITIES BORN THROUGH THEM
3 Demystifying Mental Illness: Opportunities for Awareness and Empowerment, David Leach
4 Serving Patrons with Dyslexia in Public and School Libraries, Jill Lauren
5 Blindness and Other Reading Disabilities in Public Libraries, Jane Karp and Linda Lucas Walling
6 Deafness as a Great Equalizer, Alec McFarlane
7 Banned People: Inclusion of Teens and Adults with High-Incidence Neurodevelopmental Disabilities in Library Spaces, Amelia N. Gibson
PART III: INTEGRATING INDIVIDUAL NEEDS: CREATING INCLUSIVE COLLECTIONS AND PROGRAMMING
8 Accessibility Support Collection Development, Jennifer Taggart
9 Selecting Books Portraying Disabilities for Children and Youth, Tina M. Taylor and Mary Anne Prater
10 Differing Abilities, Children, and Picture Books, Linda Lucas Walling and Clayton A. Copeland
11 Marrakesh Treaty and Access for Blind and Visually Impaired Information Professionals, Dick Kawooya
12 Examining Inclusive Programming in a Middle School Library: A Case Study of Adolescents Who Are Differently and Typically Able, Clayton A. Copeland and Karen Gavigan
13 Accessible Programming, Jennifer Taggart
PART IV: INCLUSIVE FACILITIES IN THE PHYSICAL AND VIRTUAL WORLD
14 How Library Designs Can Follow the ADA While Ignoring Wider Issues of Building Accessibility, Fred Schlipf
15 Staying Calm: "Disabilities" and Behavior in the Library, Barbara Klipper and Carrie Banks
16 Web Accessibility Checklist for Inclusion on the Internet: 10 Things to Double-Check Before You Publish Online, Laura March and Amelia N. Gibson
17 Building a Barrier-Free Online Library, Amelia Koford and Drucilla Martinez de Morales
18 Illustrative Information Support Services for People Who Are Differently Abled in Alabama's Public Libraries: An Exploratory Website Content Analysis, Bharat Mehra and Baheya S. Jaber
PART V: LEADERSHIP: INCLUSIVE POLICIES, PRACTICES, AND ENVIRONMENTS FOR LIBRARY STAFF WITH DIFFERING ABILITIES AND NEEDS
19 Designing an Inclusive Hiring Experience and Workplace: A Tripartite Approach, Kim M. Thompson, Paul T. Jaeger, and Clayton A. Copeland
20 Building Collective Leadership to Advance Equity, Cassandra O'Neill
21 Stigma Within the Library: Barriers to Employee Disability Accommodation, JJ Pionke
PART VI: CONCLUSION
22 The First Best Hope for Disabled People: A Letter to Current and Future Librarians, Paul T. Jaeger
Afterword, Samantha K. Hastings
About the Editor and Contributors
Index
