The recording of the webinar “Libraries and Autism: Why It Matters” and the accompanying slides are available here, for anyone who wasn’t able to watch it live, or who did see it but would like to review the webinar’s content or share it with a colleague. The webinar discusses what autism is, how libraries sometimes come across (unintentionally) as unwelcoming places for autism sufferers and their families, and what steps libraries can take to accommodate autistic individuals. The presentation also details the work of the “Targeting Autism” initiative, which is developing collaborative, community-wide strategies for making libraries more inclusive of autistic individuals.
The following key points arose regarding the issues and challenges libraries face in working with autism sufferers.
Why Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) should make a difference to libraries
- The number of people who have ASD is substantial.
- Libraries, because of their role as a crucial institution (in a town or city, on a college or university campus, in a specialized field, etc.), have an obligation to serve as many of their constituents as possible.
- Libraries are also required, under law, to accommodate both physical and “invisible” disabilities; this is covered by Title III: Public Accommodations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
What challenges do libraries face in making themselves more welcome to autistic individuals and their families?
- Getting around the stereotype that libraries are unfriendly environments for autistic individuals, particularly because they are traditionally “quiet zones”
- Becoming more focused on the broader community, including those people who don’t already use the library, even if they are aware of its services
- Getting past the mindset that becoming familiar with autism and accommodating autistic individuals is the role of social workers and other people, not librarians
- Ensuring that there is education and training about autism for librarians at all stages of their careers, starting in library school or other librarian-training programs
What is the “Targeting Autism” project, and what impact will it have?
- It is an innovative effort to give libraries the tools to serve autistic individuals and their families better.
- The project is funded by a National Leadership Forum Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
- It will help libraries collaborate with other community organizations, not only to design effective solutions that work in the short-term, but to ensure that these programs have long-term success, also.
- The solutions devised in the project will serve as a model for similar efforts elsewhere.
To stay up-to-date on the “Targeting Autism” initiative, check out the project’s blog. There is a list of resources here.