State and System Inclusive Services Meetings Updates

Posted by Emily Rogers

The State and System Inclusive Services group has been busy in 2024 exploring resources to help staff and patrons who may need additional support. The following is a list of recent resources and trainings shared within the IS group:   

• Autism @ Work Playbook: Finding talent and creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with autism- Dr. Hala Annabi, Associate Professor at the  University of Washington Information School  
• Downs Syndrome Association of Wisconsin, Inc provides awareness, education, and information to support families and individuals with Down syndrome and related disabilities.  
• Independence First- offers programs and workshops on disability awareness, independent living skills, and recreation. They work with employers and businesses to evaluate their accessibility.  
• JAN: Job Accommodation Network- JAN provides information for employers and individuals about workplace accommodations and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  
• Think Ability Wisconsin works with persons with disabilities to help with transition and employment challenges while helping employers solve hiring and retention challenges.  
• We Are Already Here: The Workplace Experiences of Neurodivergent Library Workers- This webinar, presented by PhD Candidate Christine M. Moeller, MLIS, of the University of Washington iSchool, provides an overview of an IMLS-funded initiative to highlight the voice of neurodivergent library workers and the challenges faced in the workplace.

Additionally, the Wisconsin Libraries Talk about Race team shared resources to help WI libraries in their DEIB work. The team has launched a DEI Consultant funding opportunity. The WisLibIDEA group is taking applications for libraries who are interested in working with an outside consultant to further their work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. For more information about consulting grants, visit their website at https://www.wislibidea.com/consulting-grant/.

Recording are available from the three webinars hosted by the WisLibIDEA team:  

• Moving from Allyship to Leadership presented by Anne Phibbs, PhD, Strategic Diversity Initiatives  
• Identify, Burnout, and Vocational Awe presented by Fobazi M. Ettarh, PhD candidate from University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign 
• Navigating the Terrain of Change with Dr. Alonzo Kelly of Kelly Leadership Group LLC. Dr. Kelly will also be the keynote speaker at NicCon this fall.  

The State and System Inclusive Services group meets every two months throughout the year. If there are questions or concerns you would like me to share with the group, please contact me at [email protected]. We are here to help you on your journey to create inclusive library spaces, resources, and services.  ​