Why is knowledge of Disability
culture important to library and information professionals/practitioners? What barriers exist in
library and information agencies for individuals with disabilities? How can LIS practitioners
leverage this knowledge to reduce barriers to information access?
Knowledge of Disability culture is vital to library and information professionals because it effects their ability to provide excellent customer service and programs for persons with disabilities. This reminds me of the introduction to chapter 6 in our Novak textbook, which started with a story about fitness instructor Bart Hircus, who couldn't figure out why his standard fitness program for seniors did not appeal to residents of a Native American senior center. As it turned out, the residents had a very different view of Bart's concept of exercise - to them, exercised equaled hard, unpaid work. Bart learned to adjust his exercise program for minority senior groups by learning about the group's culture first, and then tailoring the program accordingly.
Another anecdote on the importance of a library knowing a community group's culture: About two years ago my local library featured author Omar Tyree (Flyy Girl) as the speaker for the summer reading program. Omar Tyree's books were popular with the library's African-American patrons, and the library expected Tyree's event to attract a large crowd. Fewer than 50 people showed up for the event. Several patrons said they would have loved to attend, but the event was on a Sunday at the same time as their church services. Know your community's culture.
With that in mind, librarians should take the time to gain an understanding of disability culture in order to better inform the development of universal access policies and library services for those with disabilities. As I mentioned briefly in my last blog post, staff diversity training should include knowledge of Disability culture, if it is not included already. A big barrier at the library for individuals with disabilities is encountering an information services staff does not have the knowledge to assist patrons with disabilities and employs the use of disability stereotypes, or having a local library that lacks specialized programs for patrons with disabilities.
The Wednesday Club at the Antioch Library is a wonderful example of how a library can take proactive steps to break down barriers between patrons with disabilities and information access.
Knowledge of Disability culture is vital to library and information professionals because it effects their ability to provide excellent customer service and programs for persons with disabilities. This reminds me of the introduction to chapter 6 in our Novak textbook, which started with a story about fitness instructor Bart Hircus, who couldn't figure out why his standard fitness program for seniors did not appeal to residents of a Native American senior center. As it turned out, the residents had a very different view of Bart's concept of exercise - to them, exercised equaled hard, unpaid work. Bart learned to adjust his exercise program for minority senior groups by learning about the group's culture first, and then tailoring the program accordingly.
Another anecdote on the importance of a library knowing a community group's culture: About two years ago my local library featured author Omar Tyree (Flyy Girl) as the speaker for the summer reading program. Omar Tyree's books were popular with the library's African-American patrons, and the library expected Tyree's event to attract a large crowd. Fewer than 50 people showed up for the event. Several patrons said they would have loved to attend, but the event was on a Sunday at the same time as their church services. Know your community's culture.
With that in mind, librarians should take the time to gain an understanding of disability culture in order to better inform the development of universal access policies and library services for those with disabilities. As I mentioned briefly in my last blog post, staff diversity training should include knowledge of Disability culture, if it is not included already. A big barrier at the library for individuals with disabilities is encountering an information services staff does not have the knowledge to assist patrons with disabilities and employs the use of disability stereotypes, or having a local library that lacks specialized programs for patrons with disabilities.
The Wednesday Club at the Antioch Library is a wonderful example of how a library can take proactive steps to break down barriers between patrons with disabilities and information access.
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