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Monday, April 25 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Determining and Implementing ADA Accommodations in an Academic Library: A True Story

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In 2020, the CDC estimated about 1 in 4 Americans live with a disability. However, there’s little research on the retention and promotion of library workers with disabilities. One recent work challenges conventional notions of equitable workplace practices. Schomberg and Highby (2020) note in Beyond Accommodation: Creating and Inclusive Workplace for Disabled Library Workers, “[R]ecent discussions about resiliency in library work … [do] not include or value the perspectives of disabled or other marginaliz"&"ed people. Instead, resilience mandates the responsibility of solving structural inequities on the individuals experiencing them, which has the result of creating further marginalization” (35).

In this interactive session, an early career librarian and supervisor pursue disability justice through the lens of critical disability studies and critical leadership studies. Specifically, they’ll explore these issues, share ideas, and describe their experiences determining, requesting, and implementing ADA accommodations. This presentation offers library workers with and without disabilities a forum to explore opportunities and potential barriers to entering, advancing, and thriving in academic librarianship. After 30 minutes of guided inquiry into the presenters’ lived experiences and the emerging research, participants will be invited to create a vision for an accessible workplace.

This session will not be recorded, but public versions of presentation slides and discussion responses contributed via Jamboard will be available. This session concludes with participants drafting a self-care plan that emphasizes reflection on the elements each individual may seek in order to thrive by enjoying fulfilling work interactions and understanding, clarifying, and expressing personal and professional boundaries.

Speakers
avatar for Claire Holmes (she/her)

Claire Holmes (she/her)

Asst. University Librarian for Public Services & Student Success, Towson University, Cook Library
Claire Holmes is the Assistant University Librarian for Public Services & Student Success at Towson University's Albert S. Cook Library. In addition, she is a liaison librarian to Towson’s College of Education. As an instruction librarian, her information literacy instruction efforts... Read More →
avatar for Brittni Ballard (she / hers)

Brittni Ballard (she / hers)

Learning Technologies Librarian Research & Instruction, Towson University
I'm a Maryland-based academic librarian with a background in K12 education, office administration, video game development, technology support, and college student supervision. My service and scholarship focus on user experience, critical digital pedagogy, disability advocacy, and... Read More →


Monday April 25, 2022 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Zoom