Empowering Learners with Disabilities:Unique Challenges, Best Practices
Rebecca Oxley, Christie Kodama, & Dr. Mega Subramaniam
University of Maryland, College of Information Studies
Defining Disability
– What is disability?: Visual, Aural, Speech and Language, Cognitive, Autism/Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD), Asperger’s Syndrome, Orthopedic, Muscular-skeletal, Emotional, Learning, Traumatic Brain Injury, Multiple Complex Disabilities, Medical Frailty
– Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Department of Education - 1975, 2004
– Architectural Barriers Accessibility (ABA) & American with Disabilities Act (ADA): Department of Justice - 1968, 1990, 2004
– Universal Design (UD) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Ivymount | Introduction
The Ivymount School – Rockville, MD
Empowering learners ages 4-21 with Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder since 1961
Ivymount | Facilities
PHYSICAL ACCESS
– Library media center in close proximity to computer lab
– Mixed lighting
– Low pile carpet
– Story time area
– Work spaces
Ivymount | Facilities
INTELLECTUAL ACCESS– OPAC
– Wireless Internet access
– Dually-encoded shelf signage appropriate for learners with low-vision and autism
– Colorful rug in story time area
– Information cards and shelf markers
– Literacy posters
– Dually-encoded Dewey signage
– Map of the media center
Ivymount | CollectionFORMATS – Print - Juvenile, chapter
books, easy readers, big books, picture books, graphic novels & manga
– Books on tape
– Non-fiction VHS
– Music CDs and LPs
– Tools for Life digital resources
– E-books in triple formats
– Classroom Suite digital resources
Ivymount | Collection
READERS’ ADVISORY
– Reader interviews
– Promoting self-selection
– Expand on reader “focus”
DEVELOPMENT
– Trust publishers that address learning needs like Capstone
– Selections often have heavy visual elements
– Provide a wide range in variety of formats
Ivymount | Technologies
INSTRUCTIONAL
AV unit, computer supporting search in the LMC, printers, Mimio board, keyboard with headphones, mp3 players, instructor laptop and iPad, full
computer lab, CD and record players, Epson LCD projector
Ivymount | Technologies
ASSISTIVE
Kurzweil Read & Write Gold, large screen monitors, trackball mice, dictation software, talking browser, optical scanner, high contrast
oversized keyboards, e-Instruction Notepad, Intellikeyboard
Maryland School for the Blind | Introduction
Maryland School for the Blind - Baltimore, MDEmpowering learners 3-21 with vision disabilities since 1853
Maryland School for the Blind | Facilities
– ground floor– low pile
carpeting– comfort egg-
shaped seats– wide center
aisle spans entire space
PHYSICAL ACCESS
Maryland School for the Blind | Facilities
– large print and Braille signs
– dual encoded shelf signage plus Braille
– talking signs– literacy posters– Dewey signage– bilingual posters
(Spanish)– Miss Nancy’s Corner
children’s area– posters acting as
“windows to the world,”
– stuffed animals and toys
– high contrast textured and Braille puzzles
INTELLECTUAL ACCESS
Maryland School for the Blind | Collection
– Picture books
– large print
– chapter books
– talking books
– audio books
– music LPs
– oversized fine art prints
– contracted and uncontracted Braille
– dual-encoded print and Braille
– tactile maps and globes
– talking globes
– tactile teaching resources
– transparent teaching resources
– periodicals
– professional journals
FORMATS
Maryland School for the Blind | Collection
— Trusts publishers that meet learner needs like Seedlings and Literacy Bridge of Thorndike
— Coordinates with National Library Services for the Blind and Handicapped (NLS)
— Mines book lists from ALA
DEVELOPMENT READERS’ ADVISORY
— Encourages literacy connections between mandatory school reading and pleasure reading
— Invites authors for book talks
— Students participate in BookShare program
Maryland School for the Blind | Technologies
– small computer lab plus computer for children
– internet connection
– mobile AV unit
– printer
– scanner
– record player
INSTRUCTIONAL
Maryland School for the Blind | Technologies
ASSISTIVE– high contrast oversized keyboard
– large screen monitors
– Perkins APH Brailler
– JAWS
–Kurzweil 3000
– Boardmaker
– TTY/TTD dictation software
–talking browsers
– optical scanner
– CC TVs
Kennedy Krieger | Introduction
The Kennedy Krieger School, Fairmount Campus - Baltimore, MD
Empowering K-8 learners with Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Muscular-Skeletal, Cognitive, Learning, and Emotional disabilities
since 1937
Kennedy Krieger | Facilities
– ground floor
– low pile carpet
– large space
– high ceilings
– excellent mixed lighting
– wheelchair accessible auditorium space with corner stage
– comfort reading area with sofas and armchairs
– adjustable workspace
PHYSICAL ACCESS
Kennedy Krieger | Facilities– OPAC with 24/7 access
– wireless Internet access
– lots of oversized sculptures hung from ceiling
– architectural models
– completed 3D puzzles
– wall art of popular children’s literature
– dual encoded shelf signage with large font
– reference cards
– Dewey signage
– literacy posters
– posters acting as “windows to the world”
–stuffed animals, toys
INTELLECTUAL ACCESS
Kennedy Krieger | Collection
– Juvenile fiction and non-fiction
– encyclopedias
– chapter books
– easy readers
– big books
– picture books
– graphic novels and manga
– e-books
– digital storybooks
– VHS & DVDs
– audio books
– music CDs and LPs
FORMATS
– professional development collection
– rich variety of databases (TumbleBooks, Enchanted Learning, Brain Pop, Study Island, etc.)
Kennedy Krieger | Collection
Selects resources that are most accessible and
stimulating to learners, aligns with MSDE, reads
reviews from professional and peer-
reviewed journals, replacing outmoded media formats with
newer formats.
DEVELOPMENT
Builds a strong personal relationship with each student and has special programs like Read Dog & Adopt-A-Shelf.
READERS’ ADVISORY
Kennedy Krieger | Technologies
small computer lab, printer, SMARTboard, Epson LCD projector, mobile AV unit, flip cameras, speakers, microphone with stand, record player
INSTRUCTIONAL
Reading pens, Alpha Smarts, talking browserASSISTIVE
-Dana, school librarian to students with disabilities
Challenges
– ADA-ABA & 508 Compliancy: aligning physical and intellectual access
– Information access: diverse collections, preferred formats, assistive technology
– Stakeholder perceptions: focus on the disability
– Instruction: time constraints in teaching 21st century literacies, collaboration
– Isolation: staying informed and gaining support
Best Practices
– UD: accommodating ALL learners
– Access: coordinate with public and school libraries, national organizations, reflective collection
– Communication: people-first language, focus on the individual learner’s potential, respect limitations
– Instruction: UDL, adaptable lessons, close planning, attend all IEP and staff meetings, SPED collaboration
– Professional Development: peer-reviewed journals and research, professional associations, conferences, listservs, networking though social media, further education
Thank You!
Follow us on
Becca: @LibrariansFTW
Christie: @ckodama152
Mega: @mmsubram
University of Maryland’s iSchool: @iUMD