Staff at all 3,000 public libraries throughout England are to be offered training and support in being more autism-friendly.
They will be given access to an Autism Friendly Libraries film and support materials, in the hope that it will lead to more people with autism using their local public library.
The initiative is led by the Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians (ASCEL), a national network of library managers. It follows research showing that more than nine in 10 people with autism would use their library more if some autism-friendly adjustments were made.
The Autism Friendly Libraries film was developed by social care organisation Dimensions and was made possible with funding from Arts Council England.
Impact of libraries on lives
It features young people and their parents and families talking about the impact public libraries have on their lives and the adjustments and the understanding they need from staff to make the library experience a great one. It is accompanied by fact sheets, signage and social stories.
Sarah Mears, chair of ASCEL, said: “Libraries are at the heart of our communities and staff always want to give children and their families the best experience possible. I am excited about this initiative that will help to raise staff awareness of autism-friendly approaches and give them support to make a few simple adjustments which will make a huge difference to children, young people and their families.”
Simple adaptations
Lisa Hopkins, managing director of Dimensions, said: “The research told us clearly that a major barrier is awareness of autism, amongst library staff and library users alike.
“Respondents didn’t want much: a little kindness, to be not judged, and for a few simple adaptations to allow for sensory sensitivities. All parts of the community could learn something from that.”
As well as developing the new film, Dimensions works with four UK cinema chains to offer autism-friendly cinema screenings every month. Click here to see more information about these.
Published: 8 June 2016
