Inclusive Programming Advocacy and Access Who are we? Angela Pilkington Erin Silva [email protected] [email protected]
Children's Services Coordinator Youth & Teen Services Librarian
North Liberty Community Library Iowa City Public Library 520 W. Cherry St. | North Liberty, IA 123 S. Linn St. | Iowa City, IA 52317 52240 319.626.5801 | 319.887.6019 | www.icpl.org www.northlibertylibrary.org
Twitter: @APilky Twitter: @Erinlibrerin What do you hope to learn today?
What is your experience with inclusive programming?
A. I have no experience. B. I have some experience. C. I have been presenting inclusive programming for a while now, but looking for new ideas. D. I am an expert on inclusive programming, ready to share my knowledge! Outline and Objectives
• This is our story and how we came together to make it work. • Over the next hour we hope we can help you answer how you could implement similar events in your community and how to find successful collaborations. • We will provide links to all our products we have on display, articles that have helped us and articles featuring our programs. Why? • 1 in every 59 are born with Autism • 56% of students with ASD finish high school • 27% of U.S. adults live with a disability that interferes with activities of daily living
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html https://www.thesocialcog.org/portal/autism-facts-*-statistics#.W6aYuGhKiuU http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2011/01/25/internet-challenges-for-the-disabled/ https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-facts-and-figures More of the why • To offer services and support to underserved • Show patience • To provide inclusion • Show kindness • To advocate for your library to non-users • Show compassion • To be responsive to your community needs • Show empathy • To fulfill the mission of your library • Show flexibility What’s your why?
Why are you here today?
A. I don’t know where to start. B. I need funding/staff/partners. C. I need more program ideas. D. I have the ideas, I need participants. Special Access & Libraries
• Part of our mission is to help create a community that is more inclusive, accepting, and accessible to autistic people and their families. The Iowa City Public Library (ICPL) and the North Liberty Community Library (NLCL) have opened their doors to individuals with autism and their families in order to allow them to feel free to be themselves, enjoy a calmer and quieter library and take part in activities designed with their interests in mind. We are pleased to collaborate with the Iowa City Autism Community (ICAC) to host monthly autism-friendly events. In the beginning…
• The ICAC is “a group of parents of children on the autism spectrum as well as autistic adults who work together to create connections, meaningful dialogue and autism advocacy in our community.”
• They’ve created a place, both online and in person, for autistic individuals, their friends and families living in the Iowa City and surrounding areas to come together to share insight, experiences, events and resources related to autism. We have an active online community of members on Facebook, host events and field trips in the community centered around autism, and advocate for the acceptance and accommodation for all people on the autism spectrum.
Jessie, Dina, and Angela The Plan: Figure out a way to bring the community into the library in a fun, safe way. The Outcome • ICPL instigated a Saturday morning browsing hour, opening 1 hour prior to the library’s regular Saturday opening time at 10am Program set up and practical tools • Signage • Visual supports Typical set up also includes:
Handouts, and other information the ICAC might display
Fidgets or grab bags, depending on the activities or time of year
Books
What activities are happening in the library for that event Program Ideas: • Therapy animals • Music Therapists • Have sensory items • Police available • Firefighters – Bubbles • Crafts – seating – stations • Storytime – music • Wii/Switch • Computers • Yoga • Toys • Movies
Family Time How things have evolved • Autism friendly movie showings (at both libraries), and special summer reading programs
• Both libraries have been designated as Autism Friendly businesses by the Autism Society of Iowa
• Because of our partnerships, the ICAC has been able to expand their programming in the larger community
Sensory kits
• For use in the library or for check-out as a way for families to “try before they buy” products that may or may not work for their child http://www.cityofpella.com/index.aspx?NID=470 DJ Savarese and the importance of inclusivity • All library patrons can • “If you need participate in our disability-related summer programs. We accommodations in will be happy to order to participate in customize reading this event, please programs and activities contact the Library to meet the individual Contact below.” needs of anyone on the ~from ICPL’s calendar of autism spectrum. events Integration in Motion
• A social/craft/game hour for adults in our community with special needs.
• Started as a twice monthly program, and has morphed into a weekly gathering
https://librariestaskforce.blog.gov.uk/2018/05/11/oldham-library-sensory-room/ https://deerfieldlibrary.org/2018/09/meet-your-sensory-friendly-library/ As you leave • What can you do to build support to make inclusion a success for your library?
• What ideas can you put into practice immediately to better serve children on the autistic spectrum and sensory processing disorders in your library? Last Thoughts • How do you handle staffing?
• What about neuro-typical people who want to join the special access events?
• How to start if you don’t have a Dina/Jessie/ICAC group?
• What other questions / great ideas do you have? Thank you!
Angela Pilkington Erin Silva [email protected] [email protected]
Children’s Services Coordinator Youth & Teen Services Librarian
Iowa City Public Library North Liberty Community Library 123 S. Linn Street | Iowa City, 520 W. Cherry St. | North Liberty, Iowa, 52240 | 319.887.6019 Iowa 52317 | 319.626.5801 www.icpl.org www.northlibertylibrary.org
Twitter: @APilky Twitter: @Erinlibrerin