This document outlines an agenda and presentation for a program on serving patrons with disabilities at libraries. The agenda includes identifying patrons with disabilities, discussing how libraries currently help patrons with disabilities, and developing plans to improve services. The presentation covers topics like evaluating physical access, communication etiquette, alternative formats, potential partnerships, and examples of inclusive programming. It also provides a scenario for group discussion about handling situations involving patrons with disabilities.

1. Kate Todd
Texas Library Association
April 2014

2. Agenda for program today
 Identify patrons with disabilities.
 How are you helping patrons with disabilities?
 Group discussion of real world scenario.
 Develop a plan for improving services.

3. Does this person have a disability?

4. Is there a disability in this picture?

5. Does this person have a disability?

6. Does this person have a disability?

7. Does this person have a disability?

8. List how your library serves
people with disabilities?
1. Physical space
2. Collections
3. Communications
4. Staff Development
5. Programming
6. Partnership

10. Examples of physical space
accommodations
1. Ramps
2. Elevators
3. Unobstructed Aisles
4. Shelf height
5. Accessible bathrooms
6. Signage

11. Resources for evaluating
physical space
IFLA checklist
Institute for Human
Centered Design
http://archive.ifla.org/VII/s9/nd1/iflapr-89e.pdf http://www.devihcdesign.org/universal-design

12. Department of Justice Standards
http://www.ada.gov

14. Examples of ways collections
assist people with disabilities
1. Formats:
large print, audio books, closed
captioned films, Braille
2. Fiction, biography, films that portray
people who have disabilities
3. Medical collections
4. Reading lists

16. Communication Etiquette
 People with a disability often visit
the library with a companion
 Always speak directly to the patron,
not the companion
 Use a normal voice level
 Do not finish their sentences
 It is all right to say you did not
understand
 Ask questions that can be answered
by Yes or No
 Be patient and flexible

17. People First Language
 Put the person first, then a
disability if it is relevant to the
occasion
 Do not use the disability to
define a person
 Focus on what a person is able
to do rather than inability
 Do not use “normal” to refer to
people without disabilities
 Avoid negative descriptors like
“suffers from” or “afflicted by”

18. Alternative Communication
Some individuals who have a disability use alternative
modes of communication to supplement or replaces
oral speech, and the reading and writing based on
oral language.
American Sign
Language (ASL) Braille
Picture Communication
Systems

19. Special Fonts
ASL Fingerspelling Font
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-
layout/gallaudettruetypefont.htm
Fonts for Dyslexia
http://opendyslexic.org/
http://www.dyslexiefont.com

21. Scenario for group discussion
Loudoun mother files
ADA complaint over
library incident
The Washington Post,
May 10, 2013
http://bit.ly/libraryADA

22. Discussion Questions
1. What are the facts of this story?
2. How did the mother and daughter react?
3. How did other members of the public react?
4. How did the library staff react?
5. Have you had a situation similar to this at your
library? Describe what happened.
6. If this had been your library, what might you
have done?
7. Are there library policies that would support your
plan of action?
8. Have you attended training about handling
difficult situations like this?

23. Dealing with Meltdowns
Meltdowns involve anger or aggression in response to a
trigger event.
Give the person space. Move other people to a safe distance.
Remove the trigger event, if possible.
Give short verbal, concrete directions.
Add nonverbal prompts that are not threatening.
Respond consistently.
Meltdowns generally last less than ten minutes.

25. Examples of Programs
 Sensory Story Time or Film Program
 Book discussions (Next Chapter Book Club)
 Apps for people with disabilities
 Described and captioned film programs
 Read to therapy dogs

26. Sensory Story Times

27. Book Discussions
http://chaptersahead.org/what-we-do/next-chapter-book-club/

28. Apps for people with Disabilities

29. Described and Captioned Films
http://www.dcmp.org/about-dcmp

30. Read to Therapy Dogs
http://austindogalliance.org/pet-therapy/bow-wow-reading-dogs/

32. Some valuable partnerships
 Schools/Special education staff
 Parents/other family members
 Library Advisory Committee
 Senior Citizen Centers
 Job programs
 Veterans Groups

34. Questions to ask before developing a plan
1. Are there people with Disabilities already
using your library?
2. What agencies or schools for people with
disabilities exist in your community?
3. Do you have an advisory committee that
includes representation for people with
disabilities?
4. What are the barriers that keep people with
disabilities from using your library?
5. If you could do only one thing to improve
services for people with disabilities, what
would it be?

35. Kate Todd
EduKateTodd@gmail.com
This presentation is available on Slide Share at
http://www.slideshare.net/edukatetodd/beyond-at-txla2014