Journal Activity: Week 1

(Note: I used my blog for last week's introduction - please see the previous post for my introduction and reflection about what I would like to learn and accomplish in this class.)

My assumptions regarding aging and disabilities come from three major experiences in my life: growing up with a parent with a disability (epilepsy), working at the public library, and watching my grandparents and other close relatives age. I want to believe that one can still live a fulfilling life even as one experiences the physical and mental changes of growing older, or the challenges that come with having a disability - I've seen it happen. I've also seen quite the opposite happen - a grandparent paralyzed after a stroke and unable to care for herself anymore, or a parent unable to apply for jobs that require a valid driver's license because their disability prevents them from driving. I've had older library patrons apologize for talking too much at the information desk, and they often explain that they're old, lonely (friends are dead, their children don't keep in touch), and unable to get out as often as they used to. It's very depressing.

On that note, here are my assumptions about what I believe to be true about disabilities and aging:

1) Getting older or having a disability is difficult, physically and mentally. It can oftentimes be a lonely experience as well.

2) The ability to maintain a high quality of life as one ages or as one lives with a disability depends on one's support group and financial situation. For those aging adults and individuals that have the support of friends and family, plus a stable financial situation, their quality of life will most likely be very good. For those without those two things, they're going to have a rough time.

3) Aging and disabled individuals need an advocate. Yes, you can be your own advocate, but there are times when you need someone else to fight on your behalf, whether it's for a job, housing, medical services, etc.

Getting to know you

Dear LIS 7850 Classmates,

Greetings! My name is Courtney Diputado, and I was born and raised in San Francsico, CA. I currently reside in East Contra Costa County (part of the San Francisco Bay Area) and work as a library assistant for the Contra Costa County Library. I graduated from La Sierra University in Riverside, CA with a BA in English: Literature. This is my second-to-last semester as an online student at Wayne State University, and I am very excited at the prospect of graduating in June 2013. While my work experience is based in public librarianship and my MLIS degree has no specialization, my career goal is to work as an academic librarian at a community college. My immediate career goal post-graduation: find a full-time job (ha!).

As someone who assists individuals of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities at the public library on a daily basis, and yet has minimal training in accessibility for all - my first and last library accessibility training was five years ago during new employee orientation - I hope this class will help fill the gaping holes in my knowledge of universal access so I can provide better customer service to all library patrons. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable helping patrons with disabilities, not because I'm afraid of their disability, but due to the fact that I lack the knowledge to fully understand their disability and am likely to provide inadequate assistance as a result. 

Moving on to group projects: if you need a hard-working, reliable teammate, call me - I'll take on any task, will communicate with the group regularly, and am fairly flexible with online meeting times. I prefer reliable, easygoing, and communicative teammates. Nearly every LIS course I've taken so far required at least one group project, and at this stage of the program I have a good idea of what works and what doesn't work in a group project.

Outside of school and work, I am a part-time Zumba® fitness instructor, and am licensed to teach Aqua Zumba®, Zumbatomic®, and Zumba® Toning. I have been teaching for almost a year, and I love every minute of it. On occasion, I use the word "hella." When time permits, I play video games and read manga. I like Hello Kitty (nay, I am obsessed with all things Hello Kitty) and the San Francisco Giants. I am convinced that every problem and life situation can be solved with pizza.

Looking forward to working and interacting with all of you this semester!

Courtney