#CritLib #72 Library workers with disabilities
Tuesday December 6: 6pm Pacific / 7pm Mountain / 8pm Central / 9pm Eastern Moderated by @schomj
- Hey folks we're going to get started in 15 minutes! Reminder that the questions & link to the relay is here http://critlib.org/ #CritLib
- Made it home just in time for #critlib. Important links here: http://critlib.org/
- Welcome to the 72nd #CritLib chat! Today's topic is Library Workers with Disabilities. Materials are posted here. http://critlib.org/
Question 1: Introduce yourself, library type, and self-describe your disability/disabilities if you are comfortable doing so.
- A1. Jessica, public uni in the midwest US, and I have diabetes + other autoimmune disorders and depression #critlib https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806317408566865920 …
- Find resources and questions for tonight's #critlib on library workers with disabilities: http://critlib.org/library-workers-with-disabilities/ …
Question 2: When you think of "people with disabilities," what stereotypes come to mind?
- A2 I used to think of white people with visible mobility impairments, because that's all I see in the media #critlib https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806318713347653632 …
- @sendaulas #critlib I worked at Landmark College in VT. Great first job. Loved the students.
- A lot of people with diabetes also object to being labeled as having a disability. It's very personal #critlib https://twitter.com/metageeky/status/806319414320603136 …
- This so much. Despite years being active in disability advocacy, I still find many disabilities overlooked or ignored. #critlib https://twitter.com/IreneKorber/status/806319509610983424 …
- @violetbfox I did a study of disabled undergrads in CS classes. My CfP had to specify mental health issues to get those students. #critlib
- @violetbfox Even then, those students did not identify with that label. #critlib
- @sendaulas I think that also sometimes impacts people being willing (or not) to ask for ADA protections when needed #critlib
- @sendaulas Have you found it to be a helpful construct for you? #critlib
- @metageeky like those FB memes about "nature is medication" and actual medication is vilified #critlib
Question 3: How do you think these stereotypes impact library accessibility for patrons and (potential) employees?
- @metageeky Like I said to @sendaulas: amazing first job for me. For anyone. Those students taught me as much as I taught them. #critlib
- A3 #critlib Invisible disabilities are ignored ignored IGNORED. Also, people get judged like whoa. https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806321211080929280 …
- @metageeky @sendaulas #critlib But not in some shmaltzy way. They made me a much better teacher, even for neurotypical people.
- A3 I've seen people with mobility and speaking impairments judged as "stupid" (ie, unworthy) without basis #critlib https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806321211080929280 …
- @CritLib_anon In what way, anonymous library pal? In not recognizing others with similar problems? Or something else ?? #critlib
- A3 I've also seen people who openly struggle with depression judged as "lazy" because they need to slow down for a bit #critlib https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806321211080929280 …
- @CritLib_anon we have a student empl beginning next sem w/hearing impairment & are working on how 2 accommodate Suggestions welcome #critlib
- @metageeky bombarded like by mulitple employees? Seems like communication between employees would be key there #critlib
- @IreneKorber It's sometimes that or suggestions of a lot of software. Or it might simply be ignoring the patron's actual request. #critlib
- @metageeky so next step is same as ally suggestion to stfu and LISTEN #critlib
Question 4a: If you have disabilities, has that influenced what kind of library work you've pursued?
- @IreneKorber Exactly! I don't need people avoiding telling me bad news as if that will make my depression disappear. #critlib
Question 4b. If you don't have disabilities, have you ever thought about this possibility?
- @IreneKorber Heck, feeling left out/isolated from wat's going on just makes me freak out/be paranoid/feel more like a loser. #critlib
- @metageeky most unfortunate that that happened/happens. Happy to have this discussion so to learn how NOT to do that #critlib
- A4 I need to work for a place that can afford my healthcare, which in the US limits my options #critlib https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806323643898793984 …
- @kennygarciamlis I love teaching too because it's one of the few contexts where I'm not autistically socially incompetent. #critlib
- A4. Also, as much as I love teaching, I don't have the spoons to make that a primary part of my work #critlib https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806323643898793984 …
- @kennygarciamlis However, my depression makes course management much harder for me. #critlib
- The "masking" aspect is really familiar to me. And I think that's part of why I've been successful at MPOW #critlib https://twitter.com/CritLib_anon/status/806324412253409281 …
- @IreneKorber Not everyone who experiences temporary disability reaches that empathy and keeps it. #critlib
- @NeoMediaLuddite Yeah. And I appreciate the recent "introvert" discussion gaining more recognition, but this goes far beyond that. #critlib
- @metageeky have multiple fam members w/permanent chronic disabilities so I suspect that played a role #critlib
- @sendaulas @schomj @violetbfox My social awkwardness eventually made me realize I suck at schmoozing for research grants #critlib
- @violetbfox @NeoMediaLuddite Now that's a way I've seen people dismiss a lot of learning disabilities. Equating them with... #critlib
- @violetbfox @NeoMediaLuddite ...learning styles/differences. It's easy to say a visual learner should adjust to more verbal #critlib
- @violetbfox @NeoMediaLuddite but you can't say that to a person with dyslexia (and yet I know profs/librarians who have). #critlib
Question 5: What can we as individuals do to improve library accessibility for patrons?
- @femmelibrarian That is awesome! It can be hard to convince some bosses that that sort of thing matters #critlib
- @femmelibrarian I have awesome bosses too who work with me on my disability management. Time for therapy, help with meeting people #critlib
- @metageeky @NeoMediaLuddite Ugh. Yes. You can't just rewire your brain because it would be easier. #critlib
- @violetbfox @NeoMediaLuddite Just smile and your depression will go away. Just stop being so sad. #critlib
- Hey #critlib I'm super late to the party. I am an academic archivist, and I have generalized anxiety disorder. https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806317408566865920 …
- @CritLib_anon Which is a real shame because you probably have techniques that others could use to reduce stress too #critlib
- A5 I point out barriers when I see them and say "this is important" over and over until it sinks in #critlib https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806326373954551808 …
- @metageeky my supervisor is also is great about flexibility around hours for appointments & care & prioritizing employee well-being #critlib
- @chiuchiutrain that's why I preach universal design! #critlib
- A5 We've been having those discussions more openly, but sometimes teaching faculty are like WE WANT THIS and that's it #critlib https://twitter.com/metageeky/status/806326888431898624 …
- @sendaulas Yes. It should be a top-level requirement and not something tacked on. Even a lot of libUX people do that. Grrr. #critlib
- A2: in terms of media, ppl whose sole reason for being in the narrative is disability, and they have no personality outside of it. #critlib https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806318713347653632 …
- @violetbfox so happy we have this campus resource as well. Have 2 make sure 2 USE their expertise #critlib
- Tack on Section 508, WCAG 2.0, and even the criticisms of their weak points to push them to be even better! #critlib https://twitter.com/krofss/status/806327786839404544 …
Question 6: What can we as individuals do to support coworkers with disabilities?
- A5-6. @LibJuiceAcademy offers "Introduction to Accessibility and Universal Design in Libraries" webcourse: http://libraryjuiceacademy.com/132-accessibility.php … #critlib
- A3: if we only plan/account for "visible" disabilities (vision impairment, mobility, deafness) we're not fulfilling our missions. #critlib https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806321211080929280 …
- A6. We need to believe in each other, believe that people are doing the best they can #critlib https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806328902641709056 …
- A6. I am super open about my diabetes (which not every feels safe to do) and that allows people to *ask me* what I need #critlib https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806328902641709056 …
- @CritLib_anon omg my fam members all this. Thank you. #critlib
- @metageeky heck yes. Overlooked far too frequently in diversity conversations #critlib
- A6: challenging if ppl aren't natural self-advocates. As hiring mgr, I will fight for accommodation, but need to know what u need. #critlib https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806328902641709056 …
- And scheduling, for me. I'm lucky to work at a fairly flexible place now, but some places... yikes. #critlib https://twitter.com/krofss/status/806330135121133572 …
- This. Advocate for better insurance, better leave policies (including leave sharing), etc. #critlib https://twitter.com/krofss/status/806330135121133572 …
- @metageeky I need the opposite solution: I use white noise sites like http://rainycafe.com to focus. #critlib headphones are rude tho.
- Continue fighting for single-payer insurance, even now, especially now. People's lives depend on it. #critlib https://twitter.com/krofss/status/806330135121133572 …
- @femmelibrarian @violetbfox Well, not all of us are librarians (moi), but help educate others through seminars and the like. #critlib
- I've told my staff that I trust them to know if they need a day off. Why make them feel worse? #critlib https://twitter.com/CritLib_anon/status/806330614748160002 …
- 100% yes, absolutely. #critlib https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806331454028398593 …
- I'm seeing a lot of Yes responses to this. I will ponder how to set something up -- if you have an idea, let me know! #critlib https://twitter.com/schomj/status/806331454028398593 …
- @chiuchiutrain for folks with disabilities that impair their memory. there are many but as a person w/ DID, it's relevant for/to me #critlib
- @metageeky @violetbfox true! just so tired of folks draining emotional labor for me to educate them on how not to be ableist, etc. #critlib
- @kennygarciamlis I hear you! Disabilities touch all groups, but it's still not a topic everyone is comfortable talking about #critlib
- @sendaulas And do not "disclose" for others. Respect privacy and confidentiality! #critlib
- @Gaymerbrarian They can also make you feel self-conscious because you know why you are using them. Not for entertainment but "help" #critlib
- I missed #critlib but wanted to make sure to invite you all to participate in our upcoming #publibchat on #informationliteracy! https://twitter.com/publibchat/status/805483678646288385 …
- This tweet made my day. Thank you whoever this was. #critlib https://twitter.com/CritLib_anon/status/806291080685744129 …
- Thank you for this, @metageeky. #critlib
