A culture of aging

Merriam-Webster defines “culture” as:

the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; also : the characteristic features of everyday existence (as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time (“Culture,” n.d.)

Culture is defined by common threads of belief, thought, and behavior within a social group or society as a whole (Mackelprang & Salsgiver, 2009, p. 111). It is conveyed through human interaction, observation, and communication.

I think that older adults certainly do have a culture. It may be forged from friendships and activities with other people of their age group, from experiences common to growing old, from having lived through the same historical and cultural events, and numerous other factors.

I don’t believe any culture or group can be said to be just like another, because doing so would promote a reductive understanding of the unique struggles each group has experienced. However, a culture of aging can be said to be like those of other oppressed groups in that belonging to a culture, especially a culture of people who have experienced similar oppressions, can bring empowerment through solidarity.

References

Culture. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture

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

Universal access

Universal access means making resources, services and facilities accessible to the widest possible population. It means evaluating what is already in place for potential challenges and opportunities for better access, and being open and inviting of input from members of the community.

Barriers to access can take many forms: a lack of accessible formats for people with vision or hearing disabilities, a computer workstation that cannot be used comfortably by people with mobile disabilities, or a physical location which cannot be accessed by people who have difficulty leaving their homes are just a few examples.

One important barrier which must be disassembled in order for real improvements to be made is lack of awareness. It is all too common for the needs of people with disabilities to be completely overlooked, merely because it never occurred to the designer that there might be a problem. Resources and services which are designed with only the average user in mind are very likely, through no intention of their designers, to exclude potential users (Burgstahler, 2009). The way to combat this in libraries is to educate ourselves and our colleagues about the diverse needs of the population, to turn a critical eye toward potential barriers in our offerings, and perhaps most importantly, to welcome and consider seriously the suggestions and concerns of our users.

A willingness to listen, to consider, and to help can also go a long way in combating the psychological barriers for users encountering a hostile and unusable environment. Knowing that library staff are open and willing to help will help users become more comfortable raising their concerns and requesting assistance.

References

Burgstahler, S. (2009, February 26). Universal design: Process, principles, and applications. University of Washington. Retrieved from http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/PDF/ud.pdf

The digital divide

The digital divide is the gap results from inequalities in access to information technologies and the skills needed to use them effectively. As communications, services and commerce continue to go digital, those who do not have these resources are marginalized. Some factors that can contribute to the divide are income, education, geographic location, age, and disability.

Technologies that were designed without accessible options for older adults and people with disabilities can contribute to the divide. Computer workstations that lack ergonomic modifications or mobile devices with small buttons can pose a physical barrier to people with mobility disabilities, for example. Small displays without magnification tools or screen reading technologies can pose a barrier for those with vision impairments. An interface assumed to be intuitive by its designer can pose a challenge for users with cognitive disabilities.

The implementation of assistive technologies in libraries can help mitigate these factors. Library facilities, services and resources should be evaluated for their accessibility, and librarians should be willing to seek and implement solutions to these barriers. Beyond the simple implementation of these technologies, library staff should be trained in the use of these technologies and prepared to assist in their use.

Another contributor to the divide is lack of skill in using newer technologies. Libraries can help users of all ages and abilities to better utilize technology through classes and one-on-one assistance. Library staff should be prepared to teach patrons with a wide range of backgrounds and abilities, and should have an understanding that what seems easy and accessible for some, may not be for all.

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.

Understanding oppression

Understanding that people with disabilities experience oppression is absolutely essential in the context of libraries and information agencies. A necessary part of providing effective information services is understanding the inequalities which have shaped our society, our attitudes, and our institutions.

The nature of oppression is that it is propagated by complacency. People with privilege – in this case, people who do not have disabilities – must examine and challenge our own problematic attitudes if we want to be part of the solution to oppression, not part of the problem.

We may mean well, but as people who have not experienced ableist oppression, unexamined ableist attitudes can still worm their way into our interactions. These microaggressions (“Ability,” n.d.) can make people with disabilities feel belittled and unsafe, and it is essential for libraries to be maintained as safe spaces for the pursuit of information and services. The hostile environment created by prevailing ableist attitudes in any institution, especially by the professionals working there, will make people less willing to seek assistance there, or less convinced that there is real assistance to be had. This has a chilling effect on access.

In working with people with disabilities as an information professional, I will strive to learn about ableism in our society, examine my own attitudes, and work to disassemble attitudes that are problematic. I will resist any temptation to dismiss the concerns of people with disabilities and their allies (and strive to be an ally myself); I will listen and consider. I will work to ensure that the services and resources I provide are inclusive and helpful for people with disabilities and other oppressed groups.

References

Ability. (n.d.). The Microaggressions Project. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://microaggressions.com/tagged/ability

Local library and community services for older adults

Detroit Public Library

Most of the Detroit Public Library’s services for older adults are offered through the Frederick Douglass Branch for Specialized Services. This branch includes the Detroit Subregional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, offering “Books on Tape, Digital Books, Large Print books, Descriptive Videos, regular print books about disabilities, and reference sources on the ADA” (“Detroit Subregional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped,” n.d.) This collection, though it does not specifically target the older population, is likely to serve a large population of older people who acquired disabilities later in life.

The Douglass Branch also hosts the AARP Tax-Aide Program, which offers tax preparation assistance to “Taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those age 60 and older” (“Frederick Douglass Branch for Specialized Services,” n.d.). DPL’s bookmobile service, Library on Wheels, also operates out of the Douglass Branch, bringing library services to schools and senior centers (“Library on Wheels,” n.d.).

Wayne State University Library System

A review of the WSULS website turned up little information pertaining to services specifically for older adults (“University Libraries,” n.d.). Some links to senior health information are provided on the Community Health Information Services website, which is a service of the Shiffman Medical Library (“Internet Health Resources,” n.d.).

Community organizations

An internet search for local organizations turned up several senior centers and agencies. The following is not an exhaustive list, but a sampling of what is available.

The Detroit Area Agency on Aging provides advocacy support; disseminates information, including a newsletter and radio show; offers programs for seniors, including legal and health information; sponsors Meals on Wheels; and performs and disseminates research (“Detroit Area Agency on Aging,” n.d.).

The City of Detroit Senior Citizens Department advocates for Detroit senior citizens in city legislation and policy, and provides information assistance to seniors seeking services (“Senior Citizens Department,” n.d.).

St. Patrick Senior Center provides a health care clinic, classes and activities for senior citizens. (“St. Patrick Senior Center,” n.d.).

The Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation offers housing, classes and services for senior citizens and also promotes volunteerism and community involvement for seniors (“Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation,” n.d.).

Community Partnerships

Libraries can partner with community and advocacy organizations, especially those serving a marginalized group with special needs, to great benefit. The library and its programs can benefit from the expertise of organizations specializing in certain sectors of the population, which can result in better tailored services for patrons, and organizations can benefit from the physical space, resources, and community accessibility of the library.

References

Detroit Area Agency on Aging. (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.daaa1a.org/DAAA/

Detroit Subregional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. (n.d.). Detroit Public Library. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.detroit.lib.mi.us/specialservice/detroit-subregional-library-blind-and-physically-handicapped-lbph

Frederick Douglass Branch for Specialized Services. (n.d.). Detroit Public Library. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.detroitpubliclibrary.org/branch/douglass

Internet Health Resources. (n.d.). Community Health Information Services. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.lib.wayne.edu/sites/chis/ihr.php

Library on Wheels. (n.d.). Detroit Public Library. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.detroitpubliclibrary.org/specialservice/library-wheels-low

Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation. (n.d.). The Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.hannan.org/

Senior Citizens Department. (n.d.).City of Detroit. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.detroitmi.gov/DepartmentsandAgencies/SeniorCitizensDepartment.aspx

St. Patrick Senior Center. (n.d.).St. Patrick Senior Center. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.stpatseniorcenter.com/about/overview.htm

University Libraries. (n.d.). Wayne State University. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.lib.wayne.edu/