Presenters: Michele Gorman, Teen Services Coordinator, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Vikki C. Terrile, Coordinator of Young Adult Services, Queens Library Meg Kolaya, Director, Scotch Plains Public Library Dan Weiss, Director, Fanwood Memorial Library

In 2009, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library unveiled a 3-year strategic plan that included a goal of more “accessible services and collections”, specifically “expanded services and technologies for residents with disabilities”. In 2010 we experienced massive budget cuts and staff lay-offs, which limited our ability to put pieces of our strategic plan into practice. Despite budget setbacks, we have developed budget neutral, unique, and developmentally appropriate programs and events for teens with disabilities by working with partners. We have also worked to develop budget neutral professional development opportunities for staff and events specifically created and implemented to educate the general community about young people with disabilities.

These are some of the lessons we learned along the way… 1.If you wait until you are 100% comfortable to begin, there is a good chance you will never begin. 2.Don’t let the language bog you down or keep you from getting started. 3.You are not the expert. 4.Don’t be afraid to try new things. 5.Continued adaptability is a necessity. 6.You are going to make mistakes. 7.This is an appreciative, flexible, and forgiving community. 8.There is always something new to learn. 9.Working with this population is not for everyone. 10.Community partnerships will allow you to join forces and strengthen your initiatives.

“When we started this initiative we were all fearful that we were going to do something wrong. We’ve learned that there is no “wrong” and that our fear is what was standing between us and serving these kids.” -Pamela McCarter, Teen Specialist

PROGRAM GOAL: Contribute to an existing community and start (or continue) a dialogue about the importance of an inclusive community for all who live in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. “this was a wonderful event. thanks Linnea and everyone that contributed and shared!” – Diana Arvanites (post on ImaginOn Facebook Wall) “First Inclusion/Disabilities Event I have seen in Charlotte since I have been here! Really psyched about this.” –Judith E. Fitzberger (post on ImaginOn Facebook Wall)

What started off as a one-shot program about children’s book illustrators morphed into a bi-monthly workforce development program – all because of the participants’ creativity and passion! -Dot Siler, CMLibrary Outreach Programmer

“One of the biggest things I have learned is that most of these kids want to be normal, just like most kids we know. They want to fit in. They want to enjoy the same things their friends enjoy. Adapting to their needs and giving them the opportunity can help them feel like they belong, something they may never have felt before.” – Emily Little, CMLibrary Programmer PROGRAM GOAL: Partner with community organizations to develop and provide local youth with literacy- based activities, as part of an inclusion-based afterschool enrichment program. Photo credit: Carolina on My Mind

“Inclusion is about a community where everyone is recognized for their differences and everyone is recognized as belonging – not only in our schools, but in our communities.” -Dr. Joseph Petner, Educator

Serving Teens with Disabilities YASLA ALA Annual Conference June 25, 2011

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

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

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.

Approximately 1 out of 100 people in the U.S. population is currently diagnosed with autism. (for boys, it’s 1 in 70).* In New Jersey, prevalence of autism is 1 out of 94. Your town is not excluded from this statistic. While we may not think we have seen individuals with autism in our library, it does not mean that they aren’t already customers. * October 2009 (Revised from the 2007 level of 1 in 150) Demographics

Information The ASD Community Access to Technology Programming Community Resources Keeping Current Support Groups Y OUR L OCAL P UBLIC L IBRARY

Autism New Jersey 28 th Annual Conference October 7, 2010

Inclusive Programming?

Next Chapter Adapt Library Activities for People with ASD?

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

Meg and libraryconnections.net Meg Kolaya Dan Weiss

Special thanks to ALA, YALSA, and our individual library systems for their support and commitment to serving all young people, including those who happen to have disabilities or special needs.