In April I attended an event hosted by the American Library Association (ALA), “Information Literacy: Autism Awareness for Library Workers,” featuring current ALA President Cindy Hohl and bestselling author, animal scientist, and autism advocate Temple Grandin. The webinar focused on Hohl and Grandin’s experiences with autism diagnosis, navigating professional spaces while neurodivergent, and ways that we can make library spaces more accessible for those with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. In recent years, disability awareness has grown significantly, with increasing recognition of the importance of creating inclusive spaces that accommodate and celebrate diverse abilities, libraries included. The ALA webinar offers a valuable context for reflecting on our own efforts, making it a fitting moment to share the programs our library has hosted to promote disability awareness and inclusion.
As a college campus with deep historical ties to the atrocities of the Willowbrook State School, it is important that the library supports and features the valuable research being produced on this subject. The College of Staten Island’s Library Archive recently hosted a public lecture, “The Willowbrook State School: A Story of State Austerity and Violence” by 2024-2025 John J. Marchi Fellow Professor Rosanne Carlo and co-sponsored by the Humanities and Social Sciences Council of Interdisciplinary programs. A recording of the lecture is available on the College of Staten Island YouTube page. Professor Carlo’s talk analyzed the ways eugenicists impacted the policies and culture of the Willowbrook State School. A guide to CSI’s collection of library and archival materials on the Willowbrook State School can be found on CSI’s library website.
These efforts are part of a broader, ongoing commitment across CUNY to confront historical injustices and build a more inclusive future, one that actively supports the needs of our 11,000 disabled students through expanded resources, research, and institutional initiatives. CSI’s Project Reach, for example, provides support for autistic students through one-on-one and group mentoring in addition to educating CSI faculty and staff about autism. In alignment with these initiatives, the library has developed research guides focused on accessibility and disability studies, offering students, faculty, and staff valuable resources to deepen their understanding and engagement with these critical topics. Our Library Accessibility Guide for individuals with disabilities outlines the accessibility requirements of library spaces and web content, and provides resources for librarians navigating accessibility. Our Autism and Disability Studies at CSI Guide provides information about the Autism Spectrum Advance Certificate and the Disability Studies minor at the CSI, as well as helpful resources that can aid in researching topics related to disability studies.
Like last year, the CSI Library will again host an art exhibit honoring the art of Diego Martinez aka the “MTA legend,” featuring the art of local artists with autism, in collaboration with Ausome Tech on June 27th at 6:30pm. Anyone interested in this event can RSVP through Eventbrite or view the promotional flyer below. Together, these programs, resources, and partnerships reflect the College of Staten Island Library’s ongoing dedication to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all members of our community. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events and new resources as we expand our work in this vital area!
0 Comments.