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Working with Neurodivergent Patrons and Colleagues

An Infopeople Online Learning Course

Start:
October 15th, 2024 12:00 PM
End:
November 11th, 2024 4:30 PM
Fee per learner $200.00
Note for CA residents: California Libraries Learn (CALL) is sponsoring no-cost seats for California library staff in this Infopeople course. Please use this form to register for one of these no-cost seats. In order to gain the most impact from learning events sponsored by the CALL grant we ask that all participants engage fully (attend, participate, discuss and share). If you are unable or not willing to agree to this, please be kind and leave a seat or place for someone else.

 

Dawn BehrendInstructor: Dawn Behrend

It is estimated that 20% of the world’s population is neurodiverse regardless of demographic factors such as race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. Neurodiversity encompasses not only autism spectrum disorder, but ADHD, specific learning disabilities dyspraxia, Tourette’s syndrome, and more.

This course will provide library staff with a better understanding of neurodiversity that may be present in both their library users and colleagues. Participants will learn how to create welcoming and accessible library spaces and services, navigate potentially challenging interactions with patrons and co-workers, and promote awareness of neurodiversity to improve the experience of neurodiverse library users and colleagues at their libraries.

By the end of the course learners will:

  • Develop a better understanding of neurodiversity across the lifespan
  • Implement neurodiverse affirming practices with neurodiverse patrons and co-workers
  • Differentiate between a strengths-based approach and deficits-based approach to supporting neurodiverse individuals
  • Apply universal design (UD) concepts to designing accessible library spaces and services
  • Conduct a needs assessment to determine what barriers to accessibility may exist in your library
  • Create inclusive library policies that consider the needs of neurodiverse patrons
  • Develop more effective recruitment and interviewing strategies for neurodiverse individuals
  • Provide accommodations and flexibility in the workplace in daily operations, performance feedback, and opportunities for mentorship
  • Implement initiatives to foster a neuroinclusive workplace culture
  • Identify community partnerships to support neurodiversity in the library
  • Create outreach and programming opportunities to raise awareness about neurodiversity
  • Promote self-advocacy in neurodivergent library staff and library users

Course Description: Throughout this 4-week course the instructor will provide weekly resources, best practices, and guided hands-on assignments. You will participate in activities and discussion forums, with an opportunity to share your experiences with your fellow learners.

Additionally, this course will include two interactive online sessions:

  • Wednesday, 10/16/24 @ 10AM to 11AM PT
  • Wednesday, 10/23/24 @ 10AM to 11AM PT

Please make every effort to ensure that you are able to attend these two meetings before enrolling in the course. If this is not possible, archived recordings will be made available.

Course Outline: When you log in to the Infopeople online learning site, you will see weekly modules with these topics:

  • Week 1: Understanding and supporting neurodiversity in libraries
    • Develop a better understanding of neurodiversity across the lifespan
    • Implement neurodiverse affirming practices with neurodiverse patrons and co-workers
    • Differentiate between a strengths-based approach and deficits-based approach to supporting neurodiverse individuals
  • Week 2: Creating welcoming and accessible library spaces and services for neurodiverse individuals
    • Apply universal design (UD) concepts to designing accessible library spaces and services
    • Conduct a needs assessment to determine what barriers to accessibility may exist in your library
    • Create inclusive library policies that consider the needs of neurodiverse patrons
  • Week 3: Supporting neurodiverse colleagues and creating a neuroinclusive work culture
    • Develop more effective recruitment and interviewing strategies for neurodiverse individuals
    • Provide accommodations and flexibility in the workplace in daily operations, performance feedback, and opportunities for mentorship
    • Implement initiatives to foster a neuroinclusive workplace culture
  • Week 4: Engaging in advocacy and outreach to reduce stigma and celebrate neurodiversity
    • Identify community partnerships to support neurodiversity in the library
    • Create outreach and programming opportunities to raise awareness about neurodiversity
    • Promote self-advocacy in neurodivergent library staff and library users

Time Required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend 2½ hours per week, for a total of ten course hours. Each week's module contains various options for assignments, discussions, or online meetings. You can choose the options most relevant to your work and interests. Although you can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night, it is recommended that you complete each week's work within that week to stay in sync with other learners.

Who Should Take This Course: Library staff at any level

Do you work in a rural or tribal library? If so, you may be eligible for a course fee waiver for this course. This Infopeople course has up to five no-cost seats allocated for rural or tribal libraries. Fill out a fee waiver request, and if a no-cost seat is available you will be notified via email.

Keywords: programming