Targeting Autism Program Panel at 2015 Illinois Library Conference
Targeting Autism: Libraries and Community Stakeholders Taking the Lead to Better Serve Residents with Autism on Saturday, October 24th, from 1:45-2:45pm, Peoria Civic Center
I will be joined by an impressive panel of speakers for a lively discussion about the Targeting Autism initiative, including advice on developing sustainable community partnerships, the power of advocacy, school library research, what we’ve learned from the project, and future plans.
If you are attending the conference, please join me and other panel members including:
Russ Bonanno, former director, The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP)
Adria Nassim, consultant, speaker, advocate and founder of “Adria’s Village”
Renee Grassi,Youth Department Director, Glen Ellyn Public Library and a 2012 Library Journal, Mover & Shaker
Patti Foerster, Librarian, doctoral candidate, special education advocate, Chicago Schools
Libraries and Autism : Why It Matters!
The ADA 25 Chicago program was designed to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the American Disabilities Act (ADA). Each day, the ADA serves to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. As part of the initiative to pay tribute to this historic milestone, the Reaching Across Illinois Libraries System (RAILS), one of nearly 200 ADA 25 Chicago partner organizations, sponsored a series of educational webinars.
On September 24th, Russ Bonanno and I had the privilege of presenting one of the webinars.
The webinar and ppt. slides are available here: Libraries and Autism : Why It Matters!
Targeting Autism Forum Survey for School Librarians
Participants of the Targeting Autism Forum developed a short survey to gather information that will serve to help school libraries address the needs of students with ASD. If you are a school librarian, please take the survey. If you know any school librarians, please share the survey link.
Assisting students with ASD is an increasingly important issue. We rely on input from all ASD stakeholders, including school librarians, to support our advocacy efforts and to pursue additional grant funding.
We need to hear from you! Please take and/or share the survey link:
ASD Training and Consulting Opportunities Available for Libraries!!
From October, 2015 through September, 2016 as part of the Targeting Autism grant project, Russ Bonanno, project partner and Director, The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) is available to schedule a limited number of consulting and training opportunities for interested libraries.
Services include:
- providing on-site introductory level training sessions in the understanding of autism;
- consulting and providing technical assistance in developing needs assessments related to autism; and
- consulting and providing technical assistance in developing programs or evaluating modifications to better meet the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
This is a great opportunity for librarians and all public services library employees to receive expert consulting services and training at no charge! To get on the schedule and ensure a session at your library, contact Russ Bonanno at your earliest convenience.
AUTISM WELCOME HERE: Library Programs, Services and More Grant
AUTISM WELCOME HERE:
Library Programs, Services and More Grant
www.librariesandautism.org/grant
Applications are now being accepted online
Submission deadline is December 1, 2015
For more information and details about this unique grant opportunity please see:
www.librariesandautism.org/grant
Each year, a total of $5,000.00 will be awarded. Depending on the applications received, one grant for the full amount or multiple grants for smaller amounts may be awarded.
Any type of library can apply, and the proposal can fund projects and services for any age group. Applicants may propose to initiate a new, creative program or service, bring an already existing, successful program or service to their library for the first time, or enhance a program or service they already offer. All programs or services proposed must benefit people with autism or their families, directly or indirectly. Funds may be used to hire a trainer to present a workshop, to buy program materials, to pay for staff, etc.
Applications will be judged on the basis of:
- The project is clearly described and well thought out.
- There is institutional support for the program or service.
- People with autism, family members or other community stakeholders are involved in the
development and/or implementation of the project. - The program is one that would be replicable in other communities.
- The program or service is based on an understanding of the needs of people with autism
and/or best practices in working with this population. - The service or program will be sustainable after the end of the grant period.
Please direct any questions to Barbara Klipper: barbaraklipper.librarian@gmail.com.
Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected is honored and excited to be sponsoring this new grant opportunity that honors the groundbreaking work of Libraries and Autism co-founder Meg Kolaya for her contributions in promoting inclusion, connecting libraries and the autism community, and bringing awareness of the needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families to the library community.
www.librariesandautism.org/grant
This grant is an outcome of the Illinois State Library’s broad and ambitious project, Targeting Autism: A National Forum on Serving Library Patrons on the Spectrum. The grant is funded by Barbara Klipper, retired librarian, consultant and trainer, and the author of two important books, Programming for Children and Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ALA Editions, 2014) and The Secret Rules of Social Networking (AAPC Publishing, 2015).
targetingautismlibs.com 