Concurrent Program Session

AnyAbility: Taking Ordinary Service for Adults with Disabilities to an Extraordinary Level

Thursday, April 7, 2016, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Colorado Convention Center, Room 108/110/112

Learn about one library’s experience creating programs that have grown into engaging experiences where adults with disabilities connect with their community, interact with peers, and utilize library resources. As a result of the AnyAbility program, library staff are more comfortable using people-first language, have rewarding interactions with customers with disabilities, and have positively changed the dynamic of the library. The AnyAbility program has taken ordinary service for adults with disabilities to an extraordinary level.

At the end of this session, participants will:

1: Recognize the importance of people-first language. 2: Design programs for adults with disabilities. 3: Develop enriching and accepting spaces where adults with disabilities can flourish.

The session organizer(s) identified this session as appropriate for:
Level 1: People with no previous knowledge of the topic.

This session will have: Medium interaction: single speaker/panel with questions or audience participation throughout

Handouts: Download 1  

Track: Invent

Tags: Serving Adults, Adult Services, Collaboration, Programming/Services, Special Needs Populations, Transforming Libraries

Presenters

Janet Lemle, Team Leader
North Metro Community Services, Inc, Westminster, CO

Janet has been in education for almost 40 years. She was one of the first students at Michigan State University concentrating in an education/Special ED background. Since then Janet has had a myriad of jobs focusing on teaching and training people of all ages. She has been employed at North Metro community services for over 12 years in a number of divisions, primarily serving children and adults with Intellectual and development disabilities.

Hannah Martinez, Concierge
Anythink Libraries, Thornton, CO

Hannah Martinez, a Concierge at Anythink Wright Farms in Colorado, is the recipient of the 2015 Lucy Schweers Award for Excellence in Paralibrarianship. She was nominated for her commitment to the AnyAbility program. Driven by the desire to foster inclusion and promote dignity, paired with her passion for library service, she has been an integral part of designing and delivering services to adults with disabilities in the North Denver Metro area at Anythink Libraries.

Suzanne McGowan, Branch Manager
Anythink Libraries, Thornton, CO

Suzanne is the branch manager and Youth Services Advocate for Anythink Libraries. Suzanne participated in the first cohort of the Colorado Association of Libraries Leadership Institute and the 2013 PLA Leadership Academy. Her strengths include: Command, Strategic, Competition, Self-Assurance and Woo. Throughout her career, Suzanne has collaborated with others to offer unique programming for special populations and people with disabilities.

Marsha Marcilla, Concierge
Anythink Libraries, Thorton, CO

Marsha is the Branch Supervisor at Anythink Wright Farms. She is passionate about the community she serves and the team she works with. In advocating for the AnyAbility program she has collaborated with staff and community partners to help shift the culture at Anythink.

For questions about…

Cancellation Policy

Written cancellations, requests for refunds, and/or changes will be accepted until February 26, 2016, and are subject to a $30 handling fee. Refunds will be processed after April 25, 2016. According to PLA policy, all meal events require preregistration. The above cancellation/change information also applies to all preconferences, meal events, and tours.

The PLA 2016 Conference is offered on a cost-recovery basis. PLA reserves the right to cancel all or any part of this event if there is insufficient registration or for other reasons. Neither ALA nor PLA is responsible for cancellation charges assessed by the airlines or travel agencies, or other losses incurred due to the cancellation of the workshops. All information listed on this website is subject to change.

Accessibility

PLA has put in place features to ensure the conference is accessible to all.

Advertising

Special print and electronic advertising opportunities are available to reach PLA members and attendees both before and during the conference.

Appropriate Conduct

All participants are expected to observe the rules and behaviors described in the Statement of Appropriate Conduct in all conference venues, including online venues, and conference social events.

Attire

There is no formal dress code at the PLA Conference. What’s most important is to dress for comfort.

Conference Logo

The custom logos of the PLA 2016 Conference are the property of PLA. Anyone wishing to use the logos in their communications and promotional materials must: 1) Seek permission from PLA; and 2) Submit communication/artwork incorporating the logo to PLA for final approval. The logo may not be modified and must be reproduced in its entirety (i.e., no outlines, cropping). To request the use of the logo, companies should contact Carly DiVito at Corcoran Expositions at 312-541-0567 or carly@corcexpo.com; all others should contact PLA at 800-545-2433 x5PLA (x5752) or pla@ala.org.

Exhibits

Contact Carly DiVito, Corcoran Expositions, 312-541-0567 or carly@corcexpo.com.

Firearms

No carrying of firearms allowed in the Colorado Convention Center unless you’re on-duty law enforcement or off-duty and on payroll of the show or SMG (convention center management).

Hashtag

The official conference hashtag is #PLA2016.

Media

Contact Heather Cho, ALA Media Relations Specialist, 312-280-4020 or hcho@ala.org. Please review our conference media policy.

Membership

ALA and PLA membership is managed by the ALA Membership & Customer Service (MACS) unit. To join, renew, rejoin, or add to your membership, fill out a secure form online; or print and fill out a membership form and fax or mail it in; or call 800-545-2433 and press 5. Direct your membership questions to MACS at customerservice@ala.org or 800-545-2433 and press 5. MACS representatives are available Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Central.

Mobile App

Attendees can access full event schedule, evaluate sessions, customize their own agenda, and compete in the Extraordinary Exhibits photo challenge game on the PLA 2016 mobile app. To request assistance with the mobile app, please e-mail pla2016app@ala.org.

PLA Office

The PLA Office is located in A Mezzanine in the Colorado Convention Center. You can access the A Mezzanine from any of the lobbies using Elevator A, across from registration, and press the MZ button to get to the Mezzanine. You can also access A Mezzanine from Exhibit Hall A using Stairwell 30. The office phone numbers are 303-228-8450 and 303-228-8451. Onsite office hours are Monday, April 4–Friday, April 8, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; Saturday, April 9, 8:00 AM–1:00 PM.

Registration & Housing

Onsite registration hours are Tuesday, April 5, 7:30 AM–5:00 PM; Wednesday, April 6, 7:30 AM–6:30 PM; Thursday, April 7, 7:30 AM–5:30 PM; Friday, April 8, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM; and Saturday, April 9, 8:00–10:00 AM. Conference registration and housing is managed by Experient. Call or e-mail your questions, 800-424-5249 (U.S. and Canada), 847-996-5829 (all other countries), or pla@experient-inc.com. Experient representatives are available Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Eastern. PLA Conference is a professional event. It is not open to the public.

Sponsorships

Contact Corcoran Expositions, Mary Michalik at 312-265-9650, mary@corcexpo.com; or Matt McLaughlin at 312-265-9655, matt@corcexpo.com.

Thank you PLA Conference Sponsors!

Venues

Most conference events—including all preconferences and concurrent program sessions—will take place in the Colorado Convention Center (CCC), 700 14th Street, Denver, CO 80202. Additional events will be held at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, 650 15th Street, Denver, CO 80202, and other venues as indicated.

Other Questions

Contact PLA, 800-545-2433 x5PLA (x5752) or pla@ala.org; or find someone to help in the PLA Staff directory.