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Libraries are supposed to serve all people in the community, but some still struggle to provide support for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In an age of increasing social consciousness and awareness of diversity, individuals with IDD deserve the greatest attention and support to achieve equality, yet how to do so remains a legitimate question as most library services are not yet prepared to offer the help needed.
In Libraries and Reading, expert authors Matthew Conner and Leah Plocharczyck re-examine the modern history of libraries and diversity, looking at the recent legislative history of those with IDD, theories of general and special education, and case studies of innovative grassroots work around the globe. Including real-world examples, they show how we can make big changes through small steps.
In a climate of tightened budgets and severe demands on public literacy resources, the moral imperative of helping those with IDD runs up against practical barriers. Conner and Plocharczyck go to the foundations of social justice in Cultural Studies to show how the means of integrating those with disabilities into libraries and communities can be found in our everyday practices.