On the outside looking in: public libraries serving young people with disabilities.

• Author: Barker, Denise

Social inclusion is very important to young people, particularly those who are disadvantaged due to a physical or intellectual disability. Public libraries' already provide equity of access through disability access and inclusion plans but does this ensure social inclusion? Explored are what is an accessible community from the point of view of someone with a disability, and how libraries can ensure an inclusive environment with no nonphysical barriers which may deter those with disabilities. Highlighted are links made with young people with disabilities by public libraries and strategies which can create a more welcoming and inclusive library service for them. Edited version of a paper presented at '12 to 24s @ your public library in Australia and New Zealand conference' Qld 11-12 June 2010.

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This paper explores what is an inclusive accessible community from the point of view of a young person with a disability, and how libraries can ensure an inclusive environment devoid of physical and nonphysical barriers which may deter those with disabilities.

Good access and inclusion benefits everyone in the community. However despite improvements in this area and the significant legislation on access that makes it unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of disability, young people with disabilities and their families still experience access barriers in many areas of community life.

Highlighted are links made with disabled young people to public libraries and how this has enhanced their lives and enabled them to feel included and a part of the community. Strategies are also identified which can easily be utilised to create a more welcoming and inclusive service.

Before outlining strategies to encourage more inclusive library programs it is important to outline early services for people with disabilities, and the role of a local area coordinator (Lac), who currently only operate in WA, Qld and NSW.

Early services

In Australia at the beginning of the 20th century when there were no formal services for people with disabilities, families were left to care for their children with disabilities with no assistance. These children were viewed as ineducable and parents were often advised to 'put their children away and get on with their lives'.

Children with disabilities were thus often placed in segregated institutional homes. Many with severe or multiple disabilities were labeled as insane. In the late 1940 and 50s formal supports, based on a custodial model which was typified by segregation and institionalisation, were introduced.

In the 1970 and 1980s the focus shifted to a training model, in which it was believed that all people with disabilities could learn and develop skills in restricted settings and were encouraged to do so. Services became focused on individual plans and programs. It was felt that people would graduate from a segregated environment through to less restrictive environments, depending on their skill level.

In 1981 the International Year of Disabled Persons had a profound effect in creating awareness about disability in Australia and putting disability on the human services agenda. For the first time a survey of handicapped persons was conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This led to an awareness of the number of people with disabilities, the nature of the disabilities, services needed and the extent to which needs were met. In 1985 this led to the handicapped persons review which culminated in the Commonwealth Disability Act 1986.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics the annual rate of increase for diagnosed disabilities is 0.8%.

Development of local area coordination

The Disability Services Commission of Western Australia provides local area coordination support in Perth and throughout all regional areas of Western Australia. Local area coordinators (Lacs) assist people with disabilities to plan, organise and access support and services which enhance their participation and contribution to their local community. Lacs provide support that is personalised, flexible and responsive.

They work with young people and their families/carers to make local communities more inclusive and welcoming through education, advocacy and development of partnerships with local community members, organisations, government agencies and businesses.

Local area coordination is available to people with intellectual, physical, sensory, neurological and/or cognitive disability who are under the age of 65 at the time they apply for Lac support.

Community building

The role of the Lac (1) is based on community building and the principle that communities thrive when members live in safe, active, healthy environments where everyone feels valued and involved. As citizens, people with disabilities have the same rights and responsibilities as all other people to participate in and contribute to the life of the community. Communities are the most important way of providing friendship, support and a meaningful life to people with disabilities and their families.

Community Development Exchange defines community development as

The process of developing active and sustainable communities based on social justice and mutual respect. It is about influencing power structures to remove the barriers that prevent people from participating in the issues that affect their lives. Community development expresses values of fairness, equality, accountability, opportunity, choice, participation, mutuality, reciprocity and continuous learning. Educating, enabling and empowering are at the core of community development. (2) Inclusion

The work of the Lac is mostly concerned with the creation and maintenance of natural networks and assisting with access to community services, rather than disability specific services.

The definition of inclusion varies depending on what context it is used in. As a philosophy it reflects the efforts of individuals to reverse the isolation experienced by individuals. From a humanitarian viewpoint it is welcoming and a celebration of the diversity of people. From a social capital perspective it is a belief that inclusive communities are better, richer and more productive communities which have the capacity for a better life for everyone.

From a legal perspective inclusion is the right for individuals, regardless of their disability, to participate in the community. It is the legal perspective which forms the basis for Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (Daip) requirements.

The Lac principle of inclusion is that any person who has a disability should not be...