Disability culture

There is strength in culture and community, and vulnerability in isolation. I believe that a major part of the role of libraries is to empower their patrons, and to connect people to the resources needed to empower themselves.

Part of the processes of empowerment and self-advocacy is connecting with others who have had similar experiences. Connecting with the culture of disability can help individuals learn to take pride in themselves and their communities and begin to combat the messages of inferiority and shame that are propagated by the dominant culture (Mackelprang & Salsgiver, 2009, p. 128).

Libraries can help by providing the resources and community space for people to connect to the disability community (Mackelprang & Salsgiver, 2009, p. 129). They can reach out to the disability community for resources and advocacy information, which they can in turn make available to their patrons and use to become better service practitioners.

References

Mackelprang, R., & Salsgiver, R. (2009). Disability: A diversity model approach in human service practice (2nd ed.). Chicago: Lyceum Books.