Special needs students are those who are disabled, or at risk for developing problems as well as those who are gifted and talented. High IncidenceLow Incidence Mental RetardationAutism Speech or Language DisordersModerate, Emotional or Behavioral DisordersSevere and Multiple Disabilities Attention Deficit DisordersSensory Learning DisordersHearing and Visual Impairments Orthopedic Impairments Epilepsy and AIDS Traumatic Brain Injury Cerebral Palsy Multiple Sclerosis Developmental Delay

DisabilityNumber of Student Attention Deficit Disorder 5 Emotional/ Behavioral Disorder no actual figure could be provided but there are quite a few students with this problem Bipolar Disorder 1 Epilepsy 1 Cerebral Palsy 1 Multiple Sclerosis 1 Visual Impairment 1 Asthma 3 Diabetes 1 At Risk due to poverty 127 At Risk due to having no parents1 Source: Personal Research There is a total School population of 768 students

LIBRARY CHALLENGES  One of the major challenges to special needs students is presented by the physical aspects of the Library, – both in its location as well as its layout.  With respect to the Library’s Collection there is no equipment and just one or two resources that can be accessed by the physically disabled

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SCHOOL  Physical infrastructure that caters to special needs students and staff needs to be constructed. These should include ramps and lifts, specific bathrooms to accommodate wheelchair access and also designated parking spaces for the physically disabled.  The school be provided with at least one Safety officer, one Nurse and one Guidance Counselor.  Routine and ongoing eye and hearing tests as well as vaccinations.  School lunches should also cater for those students who are diabetic.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LIBRARY  The Library needs to be moved to a ground floor and the layout needs to be re-designed according to the guidelines of the Universal Design for School Libraries -a wide entrance and exit, wide paths through tables and chairs, wheelchair accessible tables and study carrels and low shelving.  The number of qualified Library Staff must be increased so that all clients will be able to be provided with professional services - a reference service that includes Library Staff retrieving materials for clients who are unable to do so or assisting with photocopying services.  With reference to the Library’s collection, when purchasing materials and equipment the Librarian and School Administration must include items that are accessible to meeting the needs of all clients.

References Dowdy, C. A., Patton, J. R., Polloway, E. A., & Smith, T. E. (2008). Teaching Students with Special Needs in Inclusive Settings (5th Edition) (5 ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Rogers, B. (2006). Classroom Behavior: A Practical Guide to Effective Teaching, Behavior Management and Colleague Support (2nd ed.). London: Paul Chapman Educational Publishing. School Libraries Division. (1999). Standards for Secondary School Library Media Centres. Couva: School Libraries Division. National Universal Design for Learning Taskforce. (n.d.). National Universal Design for Learning Task Force. Universal Design for Learning. Retrieved March 12, 2010, from Zambone, A., & Jones, J. (2010). Special ED101 for School Librarians. School Library Monthly, XXVI(6),