Each October, the library celebrates Inclusion Awareness Month, which recognizes the Arlington Heights Memorial Library's commitment to connect you to resources and programs, highlights enhancements in accessibility and invites community feedback.
With the community's feedback and guidance, the library continues to improve accessibility. This year, several significant enhancements were introduced to better support individuals with disabilities, as well as parents and guardians of children with disabilities. These improvements include the installation of an adult-size changing table in the newly renovated second floor restroom and the addition of an all-gender restroom adjacent to the vending café. Library item pickup lockers equipped with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations were also installed at both Camelot Park and Heritage Park, to improve accessibility to materials throughout Arlington Heights.
Accessibility also expanded into the library’s collections and programming. A new subject heading in the library’s catalog for brain health was introduced to make related resources easier to find. In response to growing community interest, Cognitive Kits were developed to support individuals with dementia and their caregivers. The Cognitive Care Collection, designed to promote mental stimulation, has already received strong positive feedback, inspiring the exploration of future kits and additional programs to support families managing cognitive decline.
Staff and volunteers have also taken steps to ensure inclusive service delivery through targeted training. Volunteers completed Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) training, while staff participated in disability awareness sessions to build understanding and strengthen service to customers of all abilities.
The library has also benefited from thoughtful donations from the community this year, helping to further expand its assistive resources. A state-of-the-art portable reader/scanner was added to the Library of Things collection, three new desktop magnifiers were placed in the Tech Learning Center, Senior Center, and magazine section, and a new motorized scooter was made available to assist with in-library mobility.
The library's commitment to inclusion is ongoing, and we want to hear from you! To tell us more about your needs and ideas, contact us via comment cards available in the library, at ahml.info/contact, call us at 847-870-3712 or email us at accessibility@ahml.info. Learn more at ahml.info/services/accessibility.
INCLUSION AWARENESS MONTH PROGRAMS
Friday, September 26, 6–8 p.m. / Conyers Learning Academy, 2800 Central Rd., Rolling Meadows / REGISTER
Saturday, October 4, 10:30 a.m.–noon / Cardinal Room / DROP IN
Our Time: Developmental Playgroup
Tuesday, October 14, 10–11 a.m. / Lindsey Room / DROP IN
Tuesday, October 14, 2–3 p.m. / First Floor / DROP IN
The Chicago Lighthouse Low Vision Products Road Show
Wednesday, October 15, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. / Cardinal Room / DROP IN
Social Worker in the Library
Tuesdays, October 14 and 28, 9:30–11:30 a.m. / Appointment Room / DROP IN
Healthy Living for Your Brain & Body
Thursday, October 30, 1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. / Cardinal Room / REGISTER
FEATURED BOOKLIST: Celebrating Inclusion Awareness