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  normal people  confined to a wheelchair  epileptic  the mentally ill. crazy, psycho  deaf Preferred Alternatives  people without disabilities  uses a wheelchair  person with epilepsy  person with a mental disorder  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 =aadtJK28oRU =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