Topic 4: Training Programs

Training

A number of online professional development training opportunities are being created to accommodate the great need for library staff training in the area of library information and services for people with disabilities.

Project ENABLE

The Targeting Autism training in which you are currently participating is part of the larger and broader Project ENABLE training website that seeks to provide a basic foundation of knowledge for library staff. Project ENABLE (PE) was first launched in late 2012 and, as of spring 2017, has had more than 1.5 million visitors and over 1,400 registered trainees.

PE contains training in the general areas of Disabilities Awareness, Laws and Policies, Accessible Facilities, Inclusive Programming, and Assistive Technologies. Each learning module covers a number of related topics and includes a wide variety of media, assessments and activities to reinforce learning and supplement information for creating a welcoming and inclusive library environment. The Targeting Autism cluster of mini-modules is the first in Project ENABLE to focus on a specific type of disability.

A college instructor, library director, trainer, or staff development director can utilize PE's Class/Group function to enroll a class, small group, or entire staff in the PE training and track their progress. A full overview of Project ENABLE's vision for training can be found here.

Project PALS

Project PALs was created by professors at Florida State University's College of Communication & Information. It consists of a four-module course for librarians and library staff to learn how to better serve library users on the autism spectrum. The modules were designed by experts in the library and autism fields. The four modules are: About Autism in the Library, Arranging the Library Environment, Communicating with Individuals with Autism, and Interacting with Technology. Find more information about Project PALs at https://pals.cci.fsu.edu/.

Autism Internet Modules

Autism Internet Modules (AIM) was created by the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI), a project of the ESC of Central Ohio. AIM modules cover 45 different topics ranging from Autism and Medication to Functional Communication Training to Preparing Individuals for Employment to Social Skills Groups. The modules are available for free to anyone, but individuals can also purchase graduate credits from Ashland University or earn professional development certificates. Find more information about AIM at http://www.autisminternetmodules.org/.

Autism 101

The Autism Society offers a free online course called Autism 101. This course introduces users to ASD, provides an overview of treatment options and assistance, and the transition to adulthood. Besides their own course, the Autism Society also provides a list of other available online trainings. Find Autism 101 and the complete list at http://www.autism-society.org/living-with-autism/how-the-autism-society-can-help/online-courses-and-tutorials/.

Other Options

You can also find your own, local options for staff training. One option is talking with local autism organizations to find speakers who would be willing to come and present to your library's staff. Another option is to include ASD specific training as part of other staff trainings that you offer, like cultural competency training or customer service training.

Think about your library staff's skills and expertise. Write down three ways you could capitalize on existing knowledge and the knowledge gained from training to help staff become more inclusive for this specific audience.

Other Learning Activities

Other opportunities to educate your staff can include:

• visiting other libraries
• hosting speakers
• hosting workshops for staff to practice simulations and role playing
• partnering staff or departments together to create new inclusive programs
• attending conferences
• bringing in speakers from local autism organizations
• creating a committee or advisory board on accessibility that includes community members with different disabilities