Transcript Link to slides and handouts

NGAL Presentation
Library Services for People
with Disabilities
Kimberly Linek, MSW
Disability Specialist
Georgia Highlands College
April 13, 2016
Expanding Our Understanding of
People with Disabilities
What is a Disability?

The Americans with Disabilities Act
defines a person with a disability as
one who:
 Has a physical or mental impairment
that substantially limits one or more
major life functions;
 Has a record of such an impairment;
or
 Is regarded as having such an
impairment.
Disabilities Come in Many Forms

Disabilities can be visible or invisible.

People are generally more familiar with a
"visible" disability.
Challenge 1
Visible Disabilities - Examples
Invisible Disabilities

An invisible or hidden disability is not
immediately apparent.

It is just as life-affecting as a visible one.
Challenge 2
Hidden Disabilities – Examples
What do Hidden Disabilities
Have in Common?

One is unable to “see” the disability.

There are no “visible” supports to indicate
a disability to others.

The individual copes with it on a daily
basis.

The person is in some kind of pain.
Challenges for People
with a Hidden Disability

They may not know or regard themselves
as having a disability.

They may not know what they need.

They may know what they need, but are
unable to articulate it.

They may often feel misunderstood or
ignored or invalidated.
Impact of Invisible Disabilities

Cause fatigue or pain.

Cause sleep problems, seizures,
incontinence or dizziness.

Interfere with concentration and stamina
(including medications that are used to
treat them).

May be well and coping one day but might
not be the next time you see them.

Experience difficulties meeting deadlines
or participating in group work.
Additional Challenges
of Invisible Disabilities

People with hidden disabilities may also
struggle with:

Time management

Attention

Organizational skills

Processing speed

Verbal expression

Memory
Commonality of Challenges
Most of these additional
challenges involve executive
function skills.
Executive Function Defined:
A set of mental processes that
helps connect past experience
with present action.
Executive Function Enable Us To:
set goals
plan
prioritize
organize
shift approaches
hold & manipulate
information
self-monitor
Warning Signs of Executive
Function Problems

Having problems with:
 Planning projects
 Comprehending
project time
 Communicating details
 Memorizing & retrieving information
 Initiating activities
 Retaining information
What are some of the
disabilities that you are aware
of among patrons visiting your
library?
Guidelines for
Engaging People
with Disabilities
Welcoming Communication

People First Language
 recognizes the person first

Communication Etiquette
 good manners & common courtesy
are generally the same for all people
Examples of People
First Language
Phrases to Avoid
Preferred Alternatives

normal people

people without disabilities

confined to a wheelchair

uses a wheelchair

epileptic

person with epilepsy

the mentally ill. crazy,
psycho

person with a mental
disorder

deaf

person who is deaf
Communication Etiquette

Speak directly to the patron

Be patient

Use a normal voice

It is all right to say if you did not understand

It is okay to use common expressions

Relax

Keep a sense of humor
Disability Etiquette to
Address Specific Issues
 Interacting with a wheelchair user
 Meeting a person with a disability
that affects speech
 Engaging someone who is blind
 Meeting someone with a cognitive
impairment
 Communicating with someone who
is deaf or uses an assisted hearing
device
Helpful Strategies & Skills
to use when working with a patron that
experiences executive function challenges:
 The Basic Approach
 Strategies that Promote Success
 Time management
 Managing space & materials
The Basic Approach

Understand it may not be a “teachable”
moment

Remain calm

Allow the person to do it their own way

Allow them to show you what they know

Ask them to repeat back your instructions

Be patient and non-judgmental
Strategies that Promote Success

Take step-by-step approaches to work

Use a multimodal approach

Combine written directions with oral
instructions

Plan and structure transition times &
shifts in activities
Time Management

Create “to do” lists & estimate how long
tasks will take

Break longer tasks into chunks and
assign time frames for completing each
chunk

Write the due date on top of each task
Managing Space and Materials

Organize work space

Minimize clutter

Place needed materials within reach
Adaptive Equipment

Smart Phones
features
apps

Computers
Adaptive equipment
Software programs
ClaroRead video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=aadtJK28oRU
Universal Design for Libraries

Makes library resources accessible to
patrons with disabilities.

Services and facilities are designed for
people with a broad range of abilities.

Recognizes that patrons may have
learning disabilities, visual, speech,
hearing, and /or mobility impairments.
Universal Design Overview

Staff are aware of the options for
making library resources accessible.

Make equipment available that staff
anticipate will be used or is available at
relatively low cost.

Develop a procedure to ensure a quick
response to requests for
accommodations to meet the needs of
patrons with disabilities.
Universally Accessible Library
Programs & Resources

Considerations

Legal Issues

Access Issues

Library Staff

Library Services

Adaptive Technology for
Computers

Electronic Resources
Q&A