NJLA 2016 PRE-CONFERENCE Make Your Library a Welcoming Place Open to All: ADA Compliance and Beyond at your Library May 16, 2016

Librarians

Welcoming people with all needs and all abilities within the scope of our Library services.

Autism is a developmental disability, which appears in a child’s life before the age of 3, characterized by deficits or impairments in language, social interactions and communication, and by difficulties with behavior.

Autism was initially misdiagnosed and treated as a mental disease or a psychological disorder, mistakenly thought be to be brought upon by “cold” parenting style, parental neglect or abuse. Autism Autism is a broad spectrum neurological disorder.

About 1 out of 68 children in the U.S. is now diagnosed with autism.* In New Jersey, the prevalence rate of autism is 1 in 41. In South Carolina it’s 1 in 81. * Recently released results from a 2014 parent survey, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, puts the national rate at 1 in 45. Your town is not excluded from this statistic. While we may not think we’ve seen individuals with autism in our library, it does not mean they aren't already customers. * March 31, CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. Demographics

Libraries as Community Inclusion Opportunities community crossroads connections with people, activities, and information offering services across the life span “Being in the community is not the same as being part of the community.” - Bill Gaventa & Sue Hapshaw

Waiting Not being heard Getting shuffled off to someone else Being told No! You Can’t! Don’t do that! Not being treated fairly or with respect Feeling like an outsider Being uninformed, out-of-the-loop Dealing with rules that don’t seem to make sense What Don’t You Like?

Can you provide this level of service?

Programming for Kids on the Spectrum “ Welcoming children of any age who have trouble sitting still” Separate or Inclusive Include a pictorial schedule Carpet squares to establish boundaries. Engage as many senses as you can. Use music, pictures, beanbags, ribbons, etc. Emphasize the visual and tactile. Incorporate double visuals for each story, i.e. read the book and ‘tell’ it on a flannel board. Sensory elements like Educubes, therabands, sensory balance beam, manipulative toys, etc.

Beyond Sensory Storytimes Sensory toys to explore Sensory Friendly Films Designated Play Spaces

Inclusive Programming?

Adapt Library Activities for People with ASD?

 Raise all staff awareness & ‘buy-in’  Model Inclusion  Empathy & understanding  is natural.com  Person-first language  Neurodiversity  “Nothing about us without us” The Right Frame of Mind

Other Considerations Physical Modifications But how about this…. or this… Collection Resources Focus on Adults BOOKS for DESSERT Volunteers & Employment

GRANT OPPORTUNITY

Show Respect Value the Dignity of Each Individual Strive for Inclusion Provide Opportunities for Participation Just Ask – Be Proactive & Address the Moment Putting it all into Practice

Dan Weiss