Accessibility

As a community engagement librarian, much of my role is dedicated to making the library welcoming for patrons with all physical and cognitive abilities. I also work to ensure that we offer neurodiverse affirming programs and spaces. Community partnerships have informed our practices and expanded our reach through public awareness and advocacy. 

Social Stories, Visual Schedules, & Welcome Visits
In order to better serve neurodivergent patrons and those with disabilities, I created social stories for children, teens, and adults. They are available on the library’s accessibility page and  help patrons know what to expect when they visit the library. To support children in our youth programs, I created a set of visual schedules using Personal Communication Symbols. Librarians arrange the images to let people know what to expect during storytime or other programs. I also introduced Meet Your Library Welcome Visits. Families and groups can schedule a visit with a librarian to learn about programs and services. Group visits include activities and behind, -the-scenes tours. This program has served patrons ages six - adulthood and has established the library as a welcoming space for all community members.
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Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association, 2023 - present
Through a partnership with Illinois’s NSSRA, Wilmette Library regularly hosts group visits for children and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities. The partnership has informed our accessibility practices and resources and members of the NSSRA assisted with the library’s Adult Social Story, a video that helps patrons plan their visit to the library. NSSRA staff have also guided the library’s use of Personal Communication Symbols as visual tools in programs and spaces. In recognition for our work, the NSSRA recognized Wilmette Public Library with their Advocate of the Year award in 2025.

Kick Start Therapy Network, 2022 - present
Kick Start is a multi-disciplinary clinic and preschool that provides occupational therapy, speech therapy, and mental healthcare for children ages 18 months through highschool. Through our partnership, we provide a teacher account, materials delivery, and storytime. Kick Start speech pathologists visit the library once a quarter for a family program called Magnificent Minds, which fosters family connections and celebrates neurodiversity. 

Parent Association of Student Services, 2025 - present
The Parent Association for Student Services in School District 39 (PASS39) is a parent organization committed to supporting parents of children with learning, behavioral, emotional, and developmental challenges. I developed a partnership to extend PASS39’s mission to include public library programming. Guided by the organization's knowledge and need, we organized an ongoing series of parent education presentations on topics ranging from 504 and IEP plans to planning for the financial future of children with disabilities. This partnership informs the library of an under-represented community’s need and strengthens our relationship with our local school district.

Wilmette Public Library IDEA Committee,  Chair, 2024 -  present
The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee is a team of library employees representing all departments and organizational levels. In addition to staying informed on best library practices, the committee advocates for the wellness and inclusion of staff through projects that create opportunity for understanding, participation, and engagement. By strengthening our work culture, we positively affect our patrons’ experience.

Visual schedules help program participants know what to expect and feel less anxious. They also build pre-literacy skills like anticipation and tracking.

In recognition of our partnership, the NSSRA presented Wilmette Public Library with their Advocate of the Year award in 2025.