Creating welcoming and accessible libraries for children with special needs
- 1. Creating Welcoming and Accessible Libraries for Children with Special Needs Renee Grassi, Youth Department Director Glen Ellyn Public Library Glen Ellyn, Illinois
- 2. Overview of Today’s Webinar The “Why?” Where Do You Begin? Accessible Collections Inclusive Customer Service Tips Programming Making Accommodations Service Ideas Print and Online Resources
- 3. Why serve the underserved? Only 61% of children with disabilities graduate high school 1 in 20 children have a disability 1 in every 68 are identified with Autism
- 4. Why serve the underserved? To support a traditionally underserved group To provide inclusion to those who might feel isolated To support opportunities for learning, social interaction, and connection among families To advocate for your library to non-users To be responsive to your community’s needs
- 5. Where do you begin? Disability Awareness Training
- 6. Where do you begin? Community Needs Assessment What information do you gather? How do you distribute it? What incentives do you offer? What does this inform?
- 7. Where do you begin? Identify Partners
- 8. Where do you begin? Secure Funding
- 9. Accessible & Inclusive Collections Braille books seedlings.org Accessible online books for print disabilities bookshare.org Talking Book Centers loc.gov/nls Audio books and e-audio Books awarding disability experience Books promoting inclusion Parenting books Hi-lo books highnoonbooks.com
- 10. Inclusive Customer Service Tips Use Person First Language Adjust Your Mindset Be Patient, Be Flexible Ask Simple Questions Offer Choices Encourage Comments and Suggestions
- 11. Methodology Behind Programming Benefits of Targeted Programs Drawbacks to Targeted Programs? Benefits of Inclusion Drawbacks to Targeted Programs?
- 12. Spectrum of Special Needs Programs Open Play Programs Family Films Music & Movement Family Performances Gaming Social Clubs Inclusive Arts & Crafts Cooking or Exercise Life Skills Inclusive Targeted Sensory Storytime Storytime for the Blind Therapy Dog Programs Sensory Friendly Performances Sign Language Interpreter Special Ed. Class Visits Reading Buddy Programs Library Tours Before Hours
- 13. Sensory Storytime Program Guidelines Series of four programs scheduled weekly Saturdays at 2 pm Length: 1 hour long with 30 min. for storytime & 30 min. for play Audience: children chronological ages 4 to 8 (w/ parent/caregiver) Program capacity: 10 children Advanced registration required with questionnaire Initial funding received from Target’s “Early Childhood Reading” Grant Program Title: Sensory Storytime--Stories & Emergent Literacy Activities for Children with Special Needs Program Outline Review Boardmaker schedule “Hello” to each child Intro Song Book Song Flannel Board Activity Book Song Playtime Bubbles Song “Wave Goodbye” by Rob Reid
- 15. Sensory Storytime with Lekotek Inclusive Sensory Play
- 16. Sensory Storytime with Lekotek Movement & Crafts
- 17. Read to Rover Program Outline 1 hr. storytime programs 30 min. storytime & 30 min. stations with crafts and dog- themed activities Programs targeted children ages of 5–8 and 8–16 Themes (Dogs, Animals, •Local non-profit volunteer organization •Utilizes TDI certified therapy dogs that work in schools, nursing homes, at-risk youth facilities, and assisted living facilities •Provides emotional support through animal-assisted therapy
- 18. Sensory Friendly Film Format Based on AMC’s “Sensory Friendly Films” for kids with autism Children of all ages and abilities with family members No registration required—drop-in Room setup Room is lighter with low volume Closed captioning on during movie Audience welcome to move around, talk and sing TV monitor with chairs arranged in auditorium style Large aisles and walkways in between chairs for accessibility Movie tie-in books available for reading and checkout Fidgets, manipulatives, and puzzles made available Noise cancelling headphones
- 20. Smart Starts Hands-on, interactive environment to develop early reading, writing, and math skills through open-ended play Designed for children ages 3 to 8 of all abilities with parent or caregiver Program promoted as “fun activities that build young brains!” Hosted three times a week with weekly themes for a 4-week series Drop-in format with 6-8 stations around program room Crafts, games, and exploratory/sensory activities Encourages collaboration, problem solving, learning and socialization Exploring the 5 Senses
- 21. Making Accommodations: Visual or Tactile Supports Touch-and-Feel Visual Schedule Fidgets
- 25. Services Ideas Family tours before hours “This Is My Library” Social Stories Web Content Booklists and Displays Resource and Lib Guides Parent Workshops on Special Needs Topics “App Chats” Programs for Parents Home Delivery Services Circulating Toy Collections with Accessible Toys
- 26. Print Resources New Publication Coming February, 2015! “Sensory Storytime Manual: Enhancing Stories with Sensory Experiences” Published by
- 27. Online Resources
- 28. Thank you!! Renee Grassi, Youth Department Director Glen Ellyn Public Library rgrassi@gepl.org @MissReneeDomain
Editor's Notes
- #6: Participate in Disabilities Awareness Training Why is this beneficial? Who is this for? What resources do you explore?
- #7: Perform a Community Needs Assessment What information do you gather? How do you gather it? What does this information inform?
- #8: Identify Potential Partnerships Who do you partner with? How do you find them? How are these partnerships beneficial?
- #9: Secure Funding (if necessary) Grants (local, state, national) Friends of the Library and/or Foundations Rotary Clubs