Special Needs and Inclusive Library Services (SNAILS)

There are many opportunities for learning about serving special population children at ALA!  So, as you make your final schedule for 2015 ALA Annual in San Francisco, the ALSC Library Services to Special Population Children and Their Caregivers Committee encourages you to add the programs below. Library Services for the Incarcerated and Detained | Saturday, 06/27/2015 – 08:30am – 10:00am | Marriott Marquis San Francisco – Yerba Buena Salon 04 Hearing on Guidelines for Library Services to Persons with Dementia | Saturday, 06/27/2015 – 10:30am – 11:30am | Moscone Convention Center – 133 (N) Next Chapter Book Club: A Community-based Model for Engaging People with Disabilities | Saturday, 06/27/2015 – 10:30am – 11:30am | Moscone Convention Center – 2000 (W) AIDS in the End Zone: Working with Incarcerated Youth to Create a Graphic Novel on HIV/AIDS Prevention | Saturday, 06/27/2015 – 01:00pm – 02:30pm | Moscone Convention Center – 122 (N) Conversation Starter:

Check it out! Dominican University Graduate School of Library & Information Science is offering a new course this fall... LIS 806.01 Special Topics:  Serving Children with Disabilities 1.5 credit hours. Wednesdays, 10/21-11/18/15 and 12/2-12/9/15; 9am-12pm According to recent U.S. Department of Education statistics, 6.4 million children and youth ages 3-21 received special education services in 2011-2012 due to an identified disability. In a six-week course taught by assistant professor Sujin Huggins, students will become familiar with the characteristics of physical, medical, psychological, and learning disabilities. They'll also learn ways in which librarians can work with other community organizations to serve patrons with a wide range of needs. As alumni, Renee and I couldn't be more proud of Dominican University for developing a course that helps prepare future librarians to serve children with special needs. If you are pursuing an MLS be sure to register for t

In case you've missed the billboard ads don't miss the Chicago Abilities Expo ! This FREE, three-day event is being held June 12-15, 2015 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center. Register now and plan to spend at least a day at this enormous event. Browse the exhibit floor to discover helpful products and services for your patrons including assistive technology. Catch inspiring demonstrations of adaptive dance and sports. Learn about the benefit of service animals. Purchase an original piece of work from the Artist Market. The event I'm most excited about is the 25th Anniversary celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act presented by the  ADA National Network and The Legacy Project . Their Friday morning workshop, ADA: a Civil Rights Legacy will tell the story of the fight for civil rights in housing, employment, and education and address future challenges and opportunities. Right after the workshop, I plan to check out the ADA Legacy Tour , a trave