Project ENABLE Webinar: Supporting Public and Academic Librarians to Provide Inclusive Programs and Services for All Patrons with Disabilities

May 22, 2015

A Two Part Webinar Series

Part 2: “The Advocating Librarian”

Presented by Project ENABLE
A collaboration of the Center for Digital Literacy and the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University

Funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services
Grant No. RE-06-13-0071-13 / 45.313 (2013–2015)

On May 22, 2015, Project ENABLE presneted the second of two free webinars for public and academic librarians everywhere to learn about creating inclusive library services and programs to effectively serve all patrons with disabilities. This webinar, “The Advocating Librarian”, will present: 1) Taking an active lead on web accessibility; 2) Implementing effective inclusive children’s library programs; and 3) The role of the library and disability community in the maker movement, adaptive technology and creativity.

Presenters

Debra A. Riley-Huff, M.L.I.S, M.S., Head of Web Services and Associate Professor at the University of Mississippi Libraries
Debra Riley-Huff’s professional goals address helping others teach, learn, research and use information through technology.  As the Head of Web Services at the University of Mississippi Libraries, Debra is responsible for leading the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of the libraries’ website, user interfaces and integrated web applications. She works closely with all departments in the libraries and across campus, to ensure her department provides accessible, interesting, valuable and highly usable applications and services. Debra’s research interests include universal design and accessibility, digital humanities computing and the impact of technology on library organizational change, structure and culture. Debra holds a BFA in Visual Art, Kansas State University, MLIS in Library and Information Science, Emporia State University, and MS in Instructional Design and Technology, Emporia State University.

Wendy Scott, M.L.S., M.A., Executive Director, DeWitt Community Library
Wendy Scott has been the Executive Director of the DeWitt Community Library in DeWitt, NY, a suburb of Syracuse since May of 2009.  Under her leadership, and with support from the Syracuse University Parent Advocacy Center, Ms. Scott initiated a number of program and services for people with disabilities, including: a substantial collection of resources on special education, programs for parents of children with special needs, extended services to people with disabilities, and an employee training program for teens and adults with developmental disabilities.  Prior to her return to public librarianship, Ms. Scott was Assistant Director for Faculty and Outreach Services at the Syracuse University Barclay Law Library.  While at the College of Law, she worked closely with the Burton Blatt Institute and The Center on Human Policy, Law, and Disability Studies on research issues relating to disability and the law.  She is the author of “Guide to Sources in International, Comparative and Foreign Disability Law,” 34 Syracuse Journal of International Law and Commerce 621 (2007) and, with Professor Arlene Kanter, developed the International and Comparative Disability Law Web Resource to assist researchers and to promote the international work of Syracuse University’s Disability Law and Policy Program. Ms. Scott earned a B.A. Degree from Marietta College, an MLS from Syracuse University School of Information Studies, and an MA in Art History from Syracuse University.

Patrick Timony, M.S.L.I.S., Washington District of Columbia Public Library
Patrick Timony is a librarian at the Washington DC Public Library.  Since 2004 he has worked in the Center for Accessibility at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, providing AT support, training, and networking. Events include classroom-style AT training, an employment-related AT support group, mobile device accessibility and others. Patrick received his MSLIS from Catholic University in Washington, DC in 2004.

Moderator

William N. Myhill, M.Ed., J.D., Co-Principal Investigator of Project ENABLE
Mr. Myhill, Director of Legal Research & Writing for the Burton Blatt Institute, has worked on the issues of effectively serving and advocating for persons with disabilities in education and through the law for over 25 years. For the past five years, he has been actively involved in training librarians to provide effective services and programs to patrons with disabilities.

Accessibility

This webinar will be close captioned and provide audio, video, text, and telephone participation options. It will be digitally recorded, and audio, audio/video, and transcription versions will become available in June 2015.

Other Project ENABLE Webinars

May 1, 2015
Supporting K-12 School Librarians to Provide Inclusive Programs and Services for Students with Disabilities