Thank you to Holly Jin from the Skokie (IL) Public Library for today's presentation: Tech on the Spec(trum): Making Libraries More Accessible for Children with Special Needs. The webinar was recorded -- please feel free to share! Resources that were mentioned during the webinar are linked to in this post. We would love to continue the conversation in the comments. This post is a living document that will continue to be updated over the next few days.
Come On In! ![]()
Holly described Come On In!, a Skokie Public Library program that provides specialized services, programs, and resources for families and encourages children with special needs to Come On In! and enjoy the library. Learn more at:
General Resources
- Libraries and Autism
- Route 66 an instructional literacy program
- Mandy Gonnsen share that each state has a National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
- Meetup.com - are there any parent support groups that have been formed in your area?
- ALSC Blog: Special Needs Awareness
- Disabilityisnatural
- Including Families of Children with Special Needs (a book)
- ASCLA Improving Library Services to People with Disabilities online course, April 22-May 19, 2013
- Sign Language websites: http://www.aslpro.com and http://aslbrowser.commtechlab.msu.edu/
- Schneider book award
- How To Adapt An Electronic Toy For Those With Special Needs video
- National Christina Foundation (donate your computers to special needs organizations in your area)
Companies and Products
- SunCastle Technology including Suncastle's free Easter Social Story
- Bookshare for people with print disabilities
- Mayer-Johnson Boardmaker
- N2Y Symbolstix
- Sibshops
- Lekotek
- Enabling Devices
- Learning Resources
- Toys R Us Differently Abled Toy Guide
- AblePlay
- Flaghouse
- AWE AfterSchool Edge
- Zac Browser
- BeeVisual
- SoundingBoard
- Toca Tea Party
- Happy Little Farmer
- Book Creator
- StoryKit
- news-2-you
- Sensory boxes on Pinterest
- Special Needs Apps Review
Other Programs
- Irving Public Library's Reach Out Programs are designed for children with special needs, their families, and pers. Going to the Dogs is a dog therapy program designed for participants five years and older with an adult caregiver. Activity centers will include Certified Therapy Dogs, manipulatives, stories, crafts, and computers.
- Kids on the Block - Vermont educates children through the magic of puppets
- Friend 2 Friend focuses on demystifying autism. A participant shares, "Our Library had them visit for a blindness/visual impairments workshop and they were amazing!"
- Renee Grassi shared more info about social stories
- Dancing Wheels
- Brooklyn Public Library’s Child’s Place for Children with Special Needs
- Next Chapter Book Club
- Gaming Program for Tweens and teens
Funding
- ALSC Reading Program Grant ($3,000)
- Candlewick Press Light the Way Grant ($3,000)
- ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award ($1,000)
- GiveTech.org
- Pass It On Center
- Disabled Children’s Relief Fund
Additional Resources ![]()
- Library Edge Initiative benchmarks, including Benchmark 11: Libraries ensure participation in digital technology for people with disabilities
- TechSoup
- TechSoup for Libraries
- Register for April 17th webinar “Helping People Find Good Health Information Online”
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