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Description

Accessibility of public services and facilities for people with disabilities is one of the significant emerging issues for public libraries. In addition to being required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the need for accessibility is quickly becoming a simple operational necessity:

• Approximately 17.7% of the U.S. population is over 65.
• 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. have a disability.
• 10-20% of the global population are neurodiverse.
• 1 in 5 Adults in the U.S. are estimated to have a diagnosed mental illness.

Current laws and societal shifts have increased visibility and knowledge about disabilities, and as communities evolve and populations shift, public libraries will have to adapt their services and facilities in order to continue to provide quality service to their communities - and comply with state and federal laws.

This webinar will provide an introduction to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and a general overview of the legal expectations for public libraries to provide access and services to people with a wide range of disabilities, as well as information on other emerging accessibility trends such as language accessibility and religious accommodation.

The presentation is focused on the responsibilities of Trustees in ensuring that their libraries are truly welcoming to all of their communities - now and into the future.

Presenter

Clare Membiela is the Library Law Consultant for the Library of Michigan. She helps public libraries understand and manage legal issues that impact library services. Before joining the Library of Michigan in 2016, she was the associate director for library and instructional support for the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School Libraries. Before moving to Michigan, she worked at the University of Miami Law Library as the head of reference services. Prior to her academic library work, she worked for two major law firms as a librarian in their Miami offices. She has an MLS. from Southern Connecticut State University, a JD from the University of Miami, and 30 years of law library experience. She is excited about helping public libraries by connecting them to the legal information they need.

How to Register

United for Libraries Statewide Partners

United for Libraries statewide partners in MA, MD, MI, MN, ND, NE, OR, SC, and VA receive free registration.

General Registration

The cost for this course is $79. 91´«Ã½ members receive a 10% discount; United for Libraries members receive a 35% discount. Additional discounts apply for the purchase of three or more seats.

Staff Contact

Please contact United for Libraries staff by email at united@ala.org.