Libraries & Disabilities Checklist
The Libraries & Disabilities Startup Checklist covers the following:
- Partnerships: Do you partner with local organizations and/or groups serve disabled people? (Some may not have national counterparts.)
- Do you have any disabled people on your library boards or steering committees?
- Do you regularly seek diverse input from disabled people (including a diverse range of races, ethnicities, types of disability, and income level?)
- How does each person on your staff impact the experience of disabled community members?
- Names and contact information for:
- Local disability rights representative
- EC/Special education coordinator or teachers for your local school
- Arc representative
- Disabled community members interested in volunteering
Going Beyond the Checklist
A checklist of action steps your library needs to be inclusive is great start, but there will always be community-specific accommodations and services your library will need to consider in order to support your disability community.
There could be things aren’t included on this list that your library should be doing. You could also have unique community needs that aren’t addressed. Your library should provide the services needed so that all patrons can feel welcomed into the library space not just to check boxes on a checklist.