July/Aug: Children with Disabilities in the Library

Beginning July 15, 2013

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is pleased to offer a variety of quality online education courses.  All courses will run between four and six weeks and will be taught in an online learning community using Moodle.  All courses are offered asynchronously (self-directed) meaning you won't need to logon at a specific time.

To sign-up for an upcoming course, visit the ALA registration website.  Course space is limited.

Children with Disabilities in the Library
(6 weeks, CEU Certified Course, 3 CEUs)  Imagine that Joey Pigza came into your library.  Would he feel welcome?  How would you provide library service for him?  A child with a disability may need an individual service plan.  But many books or articles provide generalizations and all-encompassing descriptions.  This course will take another approach.  By reading juvenile novels about children with disabilities, we will discover their individual needs.  First, we will examine how schools handle students with disabilities.  Then we will explore ways that the library might be able to assist each child.  We will look at inclusive programming, assistive technologies, staff attitudes and legal considerations. This course is not intended to be a comprehensive course.  Rather, we will collaboratively develop strategies for determining needs and identify resources that can be consulted when an actual child requires our help.
Instructor: Katherine (Kate) Todd, Adjunct Instructor, Manhattanville College