March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which raises awareness about people living with a developmental disability such as Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and other developmental disabilities. According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 6 children have one or more developmental disability.
HCPL has programs and resources throughout the year for people with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. There are also many related items in our collections. Read on to learn more.
PROGRAMS
- Adaptive Storytime:
- Tuckahoe: Mondays at 3:30PM
- Varina: Tuesdays at 10:30AM
- Fairfield: Thursdays at 10AM
- Best for ages 1-12 and all abilities with an adult. Designed to be welcoming for neurodivergent children, this inclusive storytime incorporates movement, music, stories, sensory activities, and play. Activities presented generally fall within a preschool interest level. Siblings and therapists are welcome. Registration is required for all attendees (including parents/caregivers) and opens one week before the storytime.
- Art for All Abilities:
- Available at multiple locations
- Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers are invited to explore hands-on art projects in this workshop led by Art on Wheels. Spots are limited and registration is necessary for all participants, including a required caregiver. Art materials and instruction will be provided.
- Fun for All Abilities
- Libbie Mill: March 11 and May 1 at 10:30AM
- Welcoming adults with diverse intellectual and developmental abilities, this program will provide different activity stations (such as crafts and puzzles) that participants and caregivers can enjoy at their own pace. Registration for every participant and caregiver attendee is required. After the program, check out some books on craft activities. All supplies provided.
If you have questions about any of our programs or a need for an adaptation, contact the program’s hosting library. Patrons are always welcome to drop in and observe programs to see if they might be a good fit.
RESOURCES
- Sensory Kits: The library is an exciting place with lots to see, hear, and do. If your little one is feeling overwhelmed and needs a moment to reset, visit any Children’s reference desk to ask about our sensory kits. Sensory kits are available for in-library use and include a variety of items like fidgets, headphones, and sunglasses to help younger library users experiencing overstimulation.
- Family Comfort Room: Fairfield’s Children’s department has a special room designed for families. This room provides a quiet, comfortable space with adjustable lighting that can serve as a calming environment for sensory purposes.
COLLECTION
Books have the power to connect readers to other people’s experiences and validate their own. Browse our collection for stories that highlight the voices and experiences of individuals living with disabilities. Below are just a few highlights:
Picture Books:
- A Little Like Magic by Sarah Kurpiel
- A Day with No Words by Tiffany Hammond
- My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete (also available on Hoopla)
- You’re So Amazing! by James Catchpole
Chapter Books:
- Honestly Elliot by Gillian McDunn
- Lost Inside My Head by Vigg (also available on Hoopla)
- Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess by Shari Green (also available on Hoopla)
- Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper
Teen:
- A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
- Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
- Prom Theory by Ann LaBar
- Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow (also available on Hoopla)
- The Whispering Dark by Kelly Andrew (also available on Hoopla)
Adult:
- How Lucky by Will Leitch
- Noor by Nnedi Okorafor
- Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
- Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body by Rebekah Taussig (also available on Hoopla)