[Michlib-l] How Accessible is Your Library and its Services?

[Atkin, Evette (MDE)]

Is your library struggling with accessibility? Accessibility can pertain to your library building, programming and even your library website. See below for a number of webinar and courses available to help your library to become accessible to all!

Introduction to Accessibility and Universal Design in Libraries<http://libraryjuiceacademy.com/132-accessibility.php>
Dates: February 4th through March 1st, 2019
Price: $175
Approximately 15% of the population worldwide live with some type of disability, making individuals with disabilities an important and often underserved constituency for libraries. Despite this, many libraries overlook simple and affordable measures that could improve their accessibility. In this course, you will learn concrete techniques for improving your library's accessibility for individuals with a wide range of disabilities. You will learn the meaning of accessibility and universal design and how these apply in a library setting through a combination of readings, hands-on exercises, online discussions, and demonstration videos.

Students who complete the assignments will have concrete ideas for integrating accessibility and universal design principles into library workflows. This four-week course will cover techniques and tools improving the accessibility of digital media content and making your library more inviting and inclusive for individuals with disabilities, with a particular focus on free tools. It also includes an overview of basic web accessibility topics. Participants who are currently working in libraries will leave the course with documents and resources that they can take back to their workplace.

At the end of this course, students will be able to:


  *   Define accessibility and universal design
  *   Integrate accessibility and universal design into workflows at their libraries
  *   Evaluate and improve online accessibility
  *   Identify tools that can be used for testing website accessibility
  *   Write an accessibility policy

Autism Spectrum Disorders and Libraries: Developing Welcoming and Accessible Library Resources and Services for Patrons on the Spectrum<http://libraryjuiceacademy.com/197-autism-spectrum.php>
Dates: April 1st through 26th, 2019
Price: $175

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 59 children have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD impacts all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and is a pervasive developmental disorder which is present across the lifespan. As such, a notable portion of patrons served by school, public, and academic libraries presents with ASD or is otherwise "on the spectrum". Individuals with ASD may have different accessibility and communication challenges than their neurotypical peers. This course will provide librarians with a better understanding of ASD, effective means of communicating individuals with ASD, strategies for designing inviting and accessible library environments and programming, and suggestions for building relationships with community partners to better serve the needs of patrons with ASD.

The instructor has a unique background in being a second career librarian after having worked as a psychologist for 20 years and having extensive experiencing in performing psychological evaluations for ASD.

By the end of the course, students will:


  *   Develop a better understanding of ASD as it presents in children, adolescents, and adults. Improve communication skills with individuals with ASD including nonverbal communication and de-escalating/redirecting challenging behaviors and interactions.
  *   Design an autism friendly library environment which is welcoming, accessible, and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  *   Work with community partners to develop potential referral sources, training opportunities, mental health programming, and services to benefit patrons with ASD.

Accessible to All: Serving Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities<https://www.railslibraries.info/events/131043> (archived)
Join two leaders in the field to learn about models of service, programming and technologies that create a welcoming library environment for young patrons with disabilities. Learn about dynamic programs being offered at public libraries around the Chicagoland area that can be replicated at your library.

Presenters: Renee Grassi, Youth Department Director, Glen Ellyn Public Library, and Holly Jin, Community Engagement Supervisor, Skokie Public Library. Holly and Renee are the co-founders of the SNAILS (http://snailsgroup.blogspot.com) networking group and have presented webinars and programs on the topic of inclusive libraries at various state and national conferences.


Evette M. Atkin
Continuing Education Coordinator
Library of Michigan
atkine at michigan.gov<mailto:atkine at michigan.gov>
517.335.1495

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