Special Needs and Inclusive Library Services (SNAILS)

The Muppets of Sesame Street are getting a new friend for the first time in years! Julia, a red-headed four-year-old with big, green eyes, loves to sing and jump and happens to have autism. Julia was first introduced digitally in 2015 as an illustrated character in an online storybook entitled "We're Amazing, 1,2,3!" (which can be viewed on the  Sesame Street and Autism website or by downloading the app for  iOS , or  Android ). This year, during Autism Awareness Month, Julia will make her TV debut as a Muppet on Sesame Street! Tune into PBS Kids or HBO on Monday, April 10 to meet Julia and learn about autism. Muppeteer Stacey Gordon, who has a child with autism and used to work as therapist for kids on the spectrum, has the privilege of bringing Julia to life. Learn more about Julia, Stacey Gordon, and the Sesame Street: See Amazing in All Children initiative by viewing this report from the  Today Show . people.com

The Illinois State Library is currently accepting registrations for the third Targeting Autism Forum , to be held at the Illinois State Library, in Springfield, Illinois, on May 11-12, 2017 . The Illinois State Library was awarded two grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to help libraries better serve patrons and family members impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Phase I, Targeting Autism: A National Forum on Serving Library Patrons on the Spectrum received funding through an IMLS National Leadership Grant. Through two stakeholder forums, this phase of the project – was designed to explore how libraries can work with diverse community organizations and programs to increase their role in supporting patrons and family members impacted by ASD. Phase II of the project, now underway – Targeting Autism: A Comprehensive Training and Education Program for Librarians is funded through an IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program grant to de...

Great news, everybody! If you've been wanting to make visual schedules and other supports for your inclusive programs but haven't been able to afford Boardmaker  there is now a strong alternative. Picto-Selector is a free visual support program for Windows and Mac users. It has 28,000 images translated into English, Dutch, German, French, Danish, Spanish, and Italian. Like Boardmaker, there are plenty of images to choose from, and you can customize the placement of the titles, the thickness and edges of the borders, and the background color. I've just begun to play around with Picto-Selector, so I won't be presenting a full comparison and contrast, but, from a quick look, it does appear to have some advantages over Boardmaker. Boardmaker is very expensive. Picto-Selector is free thanks to ads and user donations. Multiple staff can simultaneously use Picto-Selector because a CD is not needed to run the program. In addition to templates, there is also a Wiz...

Yes, it is true that our fearless leader has left Illinois for Minnesota, but that doesn't mean she is out of reach. On the contrary... Renee Grassi will be presenting a free webinar called Creating Welcoming and Accessible Libraries for Children with Disabilities on Wednesday, April 12, 10:00-11:00am CST  for Minitex , an information and resource sharing program of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the University of Minnesota Libraries. Big or small, rural or urban--all public libraries serve children with disabilities in their communities. Librarian and advocate Renee Grassi will show how your library can develop an awareness and an enhanced spirit of inclusion to children with disabilities and their needs for library service. In this workshop, attendees will learn how to perform a community needs assessment and advocate for families, forge new partnerships with other agencies and organizations, and find new and innovative children’s programming and outreach i...

EveryLibrary  has announced a new partnership with the  American Association of People with Disabilities  (AAPD)  to bring National Disability Voter Registration Week  (NDVRW)   2017 to libraries across the country. NDVRW 2017 takes place July 17-21 and is AAPD's second annual program to make voter registration services for people with disabilities easier and more pervasive. Your library can sign on to to participate through programming, outreach, public education, and voter registration partnerships or on-site services this summer by  adding your library to this list  on the EveryLibrary Action site. All partner libraries that include their business address will receive a free digital resource kit to promote NDVRW 2017 in their communities. According to their website, "EveryLibrary is joining NDVRW 2017 to bring libraries across the country into this new partnership to reach all Americans who are eligible to vote. NDVRW supports voter en...