“We must not confuse our ignorance of life with a physical difference for an account of that life; nor should we forget that the particulars of our own ignorance are likely a more crucial determinant of the disabilities manifest in some lives than any differences in the physical makeup of the people.”1

(Dis)Abled: Transforming Disabling Spaces

(Dis)Abled: Transforming Disabling Library SpacesLorelei Rutledge and Alfred Mowdood

Association of College and Research Libraries, 2013

What we did;Created a multi-year cultural competence programRe-imagined how we provide service at our reference desk

How we did it;Getting buy-in

How other libraries can use similar strategiesCalling in the experts

Why this? Why now?

Culture:

“a group and personal identity based on common experience, a shared resilience in coping with a world that may be oppressive, and a unique body of tangible artifacts (e.g., art, music, literature) derived from this shared experience.”3

Intercultural Competence and Knowledge:

"a set of cognitive, affective, and behavioral skills and characteristics that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts.” 2

Need

ADA/SCOTUS

Presidential Priorities

Demographics

Service Gaps

Define the Need

Outcomes

Prepare to implement

changes required by

law

Demonstrate commitment to embracing

equity and diversity

Meet changing

needs and expectations

Enable employees to

respond effectively to any patron

Align Training Outcomes with Needs

2013

Visit from outside expert/consultant

Finalize program goals &

components

Utilize local/on campus resources

Employee Development

Week

Education and Training Program Plan

Intercultural Development Continuum

Denial

Polarization

Minimization

Acceptance

Adaptation

Monocultural

Mindset

Intercultural

Mindset

Copyright, 1998-2012, Mitchell R. Hammer, Ph.D., IDI, LLC, used with permission

Uncomfortable

Impact

Ignored

Not heard

Understood

Valued & Involved

Organizational

Approach

Assimilation

Universalism

BridgingMisses

Difference

Judges

Difference

De-

emphasizes

Difference

Deeply

Comprehends

Difference

Bridges across

Difference

Strategies for Success

o Call in the Experts

o Build Partnerships

o Align with Broader Initiatives

o Develop a plan

o Conduct assessment

Future Directions

References and Figures

1. Ray McDermott and Herve Varenne. "Culture as Disability." Anthropology & Education Quarterly 26, no. 3 (1995): 329, 2. J.M. Bennet, as cited in Rhodes, Terrel L., ed. "Intercultural Knowledge and Competence VALUE Rubric." Assessing Outcomes and Improving Achievement: Tips and tools for Using Rubrics. Last modified 2010. Accessed December 27, 2012. 3. Eddey, Gary E., and Kenneth L. Robey. "Considering the Culture of Disability in Cultural Competence E ducation." Academic Medicine 80, no. 7 (2005): 706-12. Accessed December 27, 2012. Ovid Journals (00001888-200507000-00019).

Fig 1. J. Willard Marriott Library. Source: Matthew Irsik and the Computing and Media Services Team. Not publicly available.Fig. 2. DeEtta Jones, consultant. Source: DeEtta Jones, 2012, Digital Image. Available from deettajones.blogspot.com. Accessed March 15, 2013Fig. 3 Laurel and Hardy—You’re Darn Tootin’ (1928). Source: kndynt2099, 2011, Digital Image. Available from http://www.flickr.com/photos/kndynt2099/5739971284/ Fig 4. Static thumb frame of Animation of the structure of a section of DNA. The bases lie horizontally between the two spiraling strands.. Source: 84user adapting file originally uploaded by Richard Wheeler (Zephyris) at en.wikipedia, 2009. Digital Image. Available from Available from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DNA_orbit_animated_static_thumb.png. Retrieve March 20, 2013Fig 5. Public Domain ImageFig 6: University of Utah President David Pershing. Source: ABC News, 2013, Digital Image.. http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top_stories/story/University-of-Utah-inaugurates-15th-president/RqhPtytVQ0iKn4gXYDrpyQ.cspxFig. 7. 01.29.08. Source: Fort Worth Squatch, 2008, Digital Image. Available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thedavisblog/2230010178/Fig 8: Jigsaw Puzzles. Source: Patafisik, 2007. Digital Image. Available from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Puzzle_pieces_1.JPG. Retrieved March 20, 2013.

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