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The American Library Association is offering a two-part workshop,  Serving Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder ,  on Wednesdays, March 15 and March 22, 2017. Each 90 minute session will begin at 1:30pm CST. Dr. Lesley Farmer will cover the basics of autism, including forms the condition takes and how diagnosed children can be unique. Topics include: Identifying/understanding youth with ASD and their developmental challenges Providing a comfortable library environment  for youth with ASD Strategies for successful one-on-one interaction Print and digital resources available to librarians Register online through the ALA Store.   Hope to see you February 8 for our next SNAILS gathering!

What if I told you that some of the most amazing people who visit our libraries are also the most underserved patrons? Warren-Newport Public Library is trying to change that by developing programs for children and adults with special needs. On October 19, 2016 Adult Services Librarian Amy Longwell and I presented a session entitled "Special Needs/Special Programming: Engaging Children & Adults with Special Needs" at the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference . Here are highlights of our presentation: Librarians at Warren-Newport Public Library have developed and presented programs for children and adults with special needs. Programs for children and their families include sensory storytimes, sensory playtimes and sensory movie matinees. These are welcoming and sensory inviting programs that engage children with music, stories, STEAM activities, crafts, movies and more. Special Mondays in the Library (SMILE) is for adults with intellectual/developmental disabiliti...

Is one of your new year resolutions is to learn something new? Then here are some opportunities for you! Basic American Sign Language for Library Staff In this asynchronous, 6-week eCourse offered by the American Library Association beginning January 23, 2017 , librarian and ASL interpreter Kathy MacMillan will use readings, multimedia resources, and online discussion boards to introduce basic ASL vocabulary and grammar appropriate for use in a library setting. Ideal for those without previous experience. Visit the ALA Store to learn more about cost, content, and how to register. Creating Inclusive Storytimes for All Children ALA is also offering a 90-minute inclusive storytime workshop Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 1:30 pm CST. Child development expert Carol Morrone will tie child development into storytelling, offering insight on working with children with special needs, including children affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD),...

Every now and then at the reference desk, I end an interaction feeling frustrated that I have not provided the level of service I want for our member. The feeling is familiar to any librarian, I’m sure, and there are a variety of reasons for it. But one I notice consistently is that I find myself unprepared or unsure when talking to a member who is deaf, or who has a disability that makes it hard to communicate, or whose needs I know I am not filling. Even when the end result is sending the person away with the item or help they came for, I always end up wishing I had found a way to do better, but unsure how. Well, it seems I may have been overthinking things. As it turns out, perhaps all I had to do was ask. http://www.lifeprint.com Over the summer, I was fortunate to have a dynamic group high school volunteers, including one teen who is deaf.  “Heather” was passionate, engaged, and full of ideas. And she was excited and enthusiastic about helping the library improve our services ...

I love fall for the same reasons most people do -- cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and the chance to wear cute boots! Each fall, I also look forward to National Library Card Sign-up Month, the Illinois Library Association Conference, and the opportunity to expand and celebrate, through professional grants and awards, the services libraries and librarians provide to their communities. If you have a program idea that needs funding or you want to recognize someone for outstanding service to people with disabilities be sure to apply for one of the following grants or awards. The ALSC Library Service to Special Population Children and Their Caregivers Committee  is accepting applications for the ALSC/Candlewick Press "Light the Way: Outreach to the Underserved" Grant  which was formed in honor of Newbery Medalist and Geisel Honoree author Kate DiCamillo and the themes represented in her books. The award consists of a $3,000 grant to assist a library in conducting exemplary o...

The Glenview Public Library hosted a wonderful Friendship Club event for special needs kids and typical kids seeking friendship (grades 3-8) and their peer volunteer buddies (Friendship Ambassadors grades 4-12). We invited musician and sound healer Preston Klik to conduct a session called Sound, Frequency and Sensory Fun . He brought his large gong, a variety of singing bowls and bells, crystal bowls, drums, rattles, and other instruments from around the world. After explaining and passing around his instruments, he conducted a sound meditation. The kids reclined on the floor and lights went off. A DVD with kaleidoscopic images played on the large screen while Preston took us on a meditative journey via sound and vibration. Everyone enjoyed this unique and relaxing experience, even a child with autism laid back and settled down for a time. Trying the instruments was neat, and we had sensory boards available for fidgety hands. This post was written by SNAILS member Silvia Kraft-Walker...

It's that time of year when members of the Illinois Library Association convene to network with colleagues, discover innovative strategies to apply to librarianship, and learn about new resources on the exhibit floor! For those of you traveling to Rosemont for the 2016 ILA Annual Conference , you might be interested in the following meetings and sessions focused on topics of accessibility and serving people with disabilities in libraries.  For more information about other programs and sessions at this conference, consult the Conference Schedule available here . Becoming a Dementia-Friendly Library: Serving Patrons with Dementia Tuesday, October 18 at 10:45 am Libraries can be a vital part of the Dementia Friendly America initiative that is sweeping the nation. Find out how Illinois libraries are already engaging people with dementia. Our presentation will include a brief overview on dementia, presented by the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter.  It will also includ...