Accessibility Topics at ALA Midwinter Meeting

It's that time of year when members of ALA convene to do committee work, network with colleagues, and learn about new resources on the exhibit floor! For those of you heading down to McCormick Place in Chicago for ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits, you might be interested in the following meetings and sessions.  If you attend any of the programs listed, please post your thoughts in our comments section!


Friday, January 30

ASCLA Networking and Social Event
7:00-8:00pm | Renaissance Blackstone, Bar Lower Lounge
Network with members of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies about accessibility. You don't have to be a member to attend!

Saturday, January 31

Enabling Acts: The Hidden Story of How the Americans with Disabilities Act Gave the Largest US Minority Its Rights
1:00-2:30pm | McCormick Pace West W183b
Learn about the success and shortcomings of the ADA just in time to plan your summer or fall ADA 25th Anniversary celebration.

Serving Children with Special Needs Discussion
3:30-4:30pm | Networking Uncommons
A very informal meet-up to discuss the joys and challenges of trying to best serve this segment of our library users. Meeting might focus on Sensory Storytime.

Library Services for People with Visual or Physical Disabilities - Interest Group Meeting (LSPVD)
4:30-5:30pm Hyatt Regency McCormick Field / CC 20C
Stop by to talk about serving patrons with print disabilities. Discuss upcoming programs and events. Open up new topics of conversation.

Sunday, February 1

ASCLA Accessibility Assembly
10:30-11:30am | Hyatt Regency McCormick Field / CC 20AB
Although this is a formal committee meeting, conference attendees are usually welcome to observe. The purpose of this committee is to advance ALA's continuing commitment to diversity and to accessibility of library and information services for all, including people with physical, sensory or mental disabilities, as reflected in the ALA policy on library services to people with disabilities.

Meet the Authors: Randy Lewis
11:00am-noon | Exhibit Hall - Booth 3928
Meet the author of No Greatness without Goodness, a book about how a corporate executive, whose son has Autism, created a workplace where people with disabilities thrive.

Power Up Your Storytime
1:00-2:30pm | McCormick Place West W181a
Add sensory play to your storytimes with tips from Renee Grassi of Glen Ellyn Public Library and Hayley Anderson of the National Lekotek Center. Be the first to get your hands on their newly-published literacy and play manual, sponsored by Weplay toys.

Diversity Matters: Stepping it Up with Action
1:00-2:30pm | McCormick Place West W183b
Learn more about the invitation only Day of Diversity: Dialogue and Action in Children’s Literature and Programming event, its outcomes, and participate in laying the groundwork for a promising future.