Serving Patrons with Disabilities: Perspectives and Insights from People with Disabilities

by Kodi Laskin (Editor)

Ensuring accessibility is more important than ever; however, answering questions of what needs to be done and why to make a library accessible can be an uncomfortable and daunting hurdle to true inclusion. This book is a safe, nonjudgmental tool for overcoming this awkwardness, offering readers practical, to-the-point information and guidance that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Its contributors showcase real-world stories and viewpoints that illustrate ways to provide excellent customer service and a safe environment to all patrons regardless of ability. Readers will learn about bridging the gap between people with disabilities and those without, through empathy, patience, and understanding; techniques for training staff and overcoming discomfort; making your library accessible for people with mobility issues; how to interact with and assist a person with limited sight or hearing; guidance for interacting with a service animal handler; advice on library programming for people with learning differences; and best practices for effective service to patrons who use a speech assistance device.

Genres: Nonfiction, Library Science, Disability, Professional Development

88 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2023

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this for work, and while it's informative in regards to libraries and ADA, it focuses solely on visible disabilities. In my opinion, it focuses on the easy things that you can almost check off a list. What it fails to mention is that not all disabilities are visible. I feel like this is frequently overlooked. I also one starred it simply because I didn't enjoy it. It may be informative and helpful, but this is my goodreads page, and as such, my stars are based on how much I enjoyed reading said book.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read and easy to absorb information, but I felt it was lacking a lot of substance. I'd love a more fully fleshed out book on this topic but still gathered a few valuable points from this one.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and very readable intro to this topic

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope that every library professional reads something like this. It's a good intro to the topic with examples from library users with disabilities.

[Nick Salenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that provides library workers with tools they need to provide excellent customer service & safe environment to all patrons regardless of ability.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

A helpful and insightful guide with some simple steps for interacting with patrons with various disabilities in a library setting.

The book covers basic information on service animals, mobility aids, speech assistive technology, blindness and low vision, deafness and hard of hearing, and learning differences.

The book obviously can't cover all disabilities but does contain a good variety of information and provides helpful insight into working with patrons with specific needs. It also gives information on making libraries physically accessible and on various ways of communicating including ASL and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

Each chapter contains practical advise on combating stereotypes and preconceived notions, making the library a more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming place, and providing the best customer service to all patrons.

I found Kerr's section on learning differences especially helpful, which explains different learning styles (visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic) and how job training can be adapted to include all four to better accommodate all types of learners.

The format is concise and easy-to-follow. A great place to start in making libraries more accessible and in helping library staff become better prepared to assist patrons with a variety of needs.

[Grayson Spaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this book states the obvious (to me, a disabled person) and is worded concisely. It's an easy read for all in the profession. Each chapter is written by a different author who has the disability the chapter is based around, so finding the needs of these patrons is direct and simple.

For someone who needs a basic understanding of how to serve patrons with disabilities, this book is a go-to!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and helpful as each chapter is a firsthand account of situations and experiences that have inspired advice on how situations can be better handled. What better way to learn than from those who have been there?

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Each chapter is written by someone who has that particular disability. This is a great and concise overview book to get started, but I'd highly recommend diving deeper into these different disabilities and how librarians can approach and help patrons with them.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read to assist in my library work. Short and helpful chapters on disabilities written by people with disabilities. While much of the information was a refresher, there were some points that were well taken and I will use them immediately.

[Amber Wessies Owrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a great introduction to disabilities and accessibility in the library. I appreciated the first-hand experiences/perspectives of the chapter authors.

[Rachel]

Simple treatment of complex topic. Would work well as an introduction point or for a specific topic within this book.

[Bethany]

Some chapters are deeper than others, but it's a good entry point.