Great pictures, captions, and links, Ellen! Thanks!
And, Norman, I agree with you, too.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Library Access -- http://www.rit.edu/~easi
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Ellen Perlow
> Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2001 7:24 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Service to patrons with differences
>
>
> Re the inquiry about providing an interpreter for a patron who
> has a hearing
> difference.
>
> Thank you, Dr. Coombs! I agree wholeheartedly with you.
>
> It is not what a library "has to do" that should be the focus.
> It is what a
> library CAN do to help a patron, ANY and EVERY patron, to provide the best
> service possible to all patrons. The same way we try to provide the
> best possible service to patrons whose diversity is that they
> know/understand
> different languages other than the language[s] provided for at
> the library is
> how we should approach providing service to people whose language is sign
> language.
>
> Step 1: Ask the patron about his/her needs - just as we would any
> other patron.
>
> Every difference is unique to the individual. [Using myself as an
> example, due
> to a mobility difference, I type with one hand, my left hand. Fast and
> accurately. Some people may assume falsely that to type,  I
> require/must use a
> special keyboard and/or special software. I don't.  I type on a
> standard QWERTY
> keyboard, because that is how I taught myself to do it. ]
>
> Ask the patron.  The patron knows best what s/he requires, IF ANYTHING.
>
> Why I advocate so strongly for positive language when the subject matter
> involves people with differences or differabilities.
>
> The "dis" and other negative terminology has kept society's focus
> on "what do
> we have to do" and "what can we get away with NOT doing without
> getting into
> legal trouble:" negative attitudes that promote misperceptions, false
> assumptions, and the depersonalization of people who do things
> differently.
>
> Turn the subject into the positive topic that it should be: "A for
> Accessibility," a subject relevant to everyone, and we will have
> people wanting
> to provide service, especially in new, innovative, cost-effective, even
> cost-free ways.  That is why I was so pleased that the
> Accessibility Pavilion
> at ALA Annual was called positively the ACCESSIBILITY Pavilion.
> The crowds came,
> experienced first hand, and were "wowed." For some photos, see:
> http://twu.edu/~s_perlow/accessibilitypavilion.html
>
> What a POSITIVE difference just one word can make!
>
> Turn on the TV or radio. It is not an accident that in the
> commercials that
> many corporate slogans for today's successful products and
> services include the
> positive phrases "different," "making a difference" "working to make a
> difference," and variations on the "different/difference" theme.
>
> Accessibility Advocates: Working to Make a Difference!
>
> Ellen Perlow
> Chair, ALA ASCLA Century Scholarship Committee
> The ALA ASCLA Century Scholarship Diversity Initiative
> "Celebrating a New Century that Celebrates Diversity"
> http://www.ala.org/ascla/centuryscholarship.html
> Have YOU recruited/applied to be a Century Scholarship applicant today?
> A for Accessibility: Positive Wins Every Time.
> ----------------------------------------------------
> Manager of Information Services
> School of Library and Information Studies
> Texas Woman's University
> P.O. Box 425438
> Denton, TX 76204-5438
> Tel.: 940-898-2622  Fax: 940-898-2611
> Web: http://twu.edu/~s_perlow/
> E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
>