Accessibility from every angle

Accessibility from every angel

Renee Grassi, Glen Ellyn, IL Public Library

Holly Jin, Skokie, IL Public Library

This was a great program Casey and I attended about "disability awareness, services, and programs combined with the basic principles of universal design."

The first half of the presentation was very similar to what our grant funded training in Deecmeber with the occupational therapist covered. 

• Use person first language (girl with autism vs. autistic girl)
• Have empathy and patience
• Speak to the child or person, not the group
• Offer choices
• Visual supports (social story and picture cards)

The presenters had some great ideas about some additions to more accessible services. 

• STEM learning kits (great for all children)
• Sensory kits (similar to our backpacks now)
• Toy collection
• Creating a hi interest / low reading level collection in teen / adult areas

Great examples of universal include

• curb cuts (wheels, chairs, strollers, elderly or ill difficulty with steps, young children)
• closed caption titles (those who are hearing impaired, new a language, sensory sensitivites)

A sample sensory storytime might include telling a song or story with choices / multiple formats.

Old MacDonald

•  as a book with pictures (many children that have a special need are very visual)
• file folder with felt / pictures of animals in the song (child can grab each animal in song)
• ipad where a child who can't speak can touch the animal and make the sounds, participating with the group

There are both inclusive (everyone) and targeted (programs just for children with special needs) programs.

Currently all of our programs are in inclusive and we are piloting targeted programs with our sensory storytimes.

The program ended with a list of sample targeted programs.