Special Needs and Inclusive Library Services (SNAILS)

Our summer meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30 at Deerfield Public Library . Please plan to arrive close to 9:00am for morning treats and networking. Our business will begin promptly at 9:30am. Robin Jones This month, we have the privilege of hearing from Robin Jones, the Director of the Great Lakes ADA Center . Robin will be giving an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act as it relates to local government (i.e. public libraries). Her presentation is jam-packed with legal and practical information, so this is a great meeting for library staff at all service levels to attend. In order to the make the presentation as relevant as possible, Robin would like to know what type of scenarios you experience when serving (or not being equipped to serve) people with disabilities. If you ever wanted to ask an ADA expert a question about legal requirements, best practices, or "what to do if..." this is your chance! Even if you can't make it to the meetin...

Title: "Leave as an ADA Reasonable Accommodation" Webinar on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) When : Thursday, June 23, 2016 (12:30 – 1:45 p.m. CDT) Online Registration : Click here The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is offering a free webinar on "EEOC's New Resource on Leave as an ADA Reasonable Accommodation" on Thursday, June 23 from 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. The webinar will provide information on staying compliant with the ADA and related laws. For those in middle and upper management, this webinar will provide helpful information concerning ADA.  The webinar will provide employers much-needed technical assistance for staying compliant with the ADA and related laws. Topics to be covered include: At what point must an employer consider leave as a reasonable accommodation? What information can an employer obtain from an employee’s health care provider to support a request for leave? How often can an employer request this info...

Last December, Renee and I had the pleasure of presenting the final webinar in a five-part series celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act for Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS). We opened with some statistics about the prevalence of disabilities and then briefly talked about models of service and inclusive technologies that create a welcoming library environment for young patrons. Our favorite part of the presentation was the time spent showcasing the amazing targeted and inclusive programs our SNAILS member libraries are offering children, teens, and young adults. We're so proud of you! We invite you to view the presentation and share it widely. An archive of the webinar, including handouts, is posted on the  RAILS website .

 More than 1 out of 10 people in Illinois have a disability.   In recognition of the anniversary of ADA25 , the RAILS library system as partnered with ADA25Chicago to offer professional development and learning opportunities to librarians and library staff about serving people with disabilities.  Here is a snapshot of what is available for you and your staff from now until the end of the year. Webinar: “Beyond Assistive Technology: Improving Library Services to People with Disabilities” Thursday, August 20 from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. More info: http://www.librarylearning.info/events/?eventID=20212 Webinar: “Autism 101 for Libraries: What is Autism Spectrum Disorder and How Can We Help Students and Families at the Library?” Thursday, September 17, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. More info: http://www.librarylearning.info/events/?eventID=20211 In-Person Training: “Mental Health Awareness Training for Library Staff” Wednesday, October 7, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Loca...

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...

The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is conducting a survey as part of ADA 25 Chicago to identify best practices in community inclusion for persons with disabilities. RAILS libraries are encouraged to participate. The information will be used to formulate and share best practices for accessibility. Responses are due by Friday, June 5 .  Direct questions to Jeffrey Walter or 312.201.4508 .