Library services for those with intellectual disability (ID): An exploration of the current landscape

Abstract

This article summarizes an investigation into a new movement in disability education that impacts academic libraries. Those with (ID) are typically left without options for socializing, education, or employment after high school. To address this, Post-Secondary Education (PSE) programs have been created, which offer a non-degreed course of study at colleges to provide these individuals with education, vocational training, and peer interactions. This study investigates to what extent academic libraries have engaged with PSE programs at their campus to provide their students access to the libraries. The survey contacted all PSE programs in the country that are registered with the ThinkCollege Institute and both quantitative and qualitative data are gathered and analyzed. While library engagement with PSE programs is modest, a number of innovations point to improved programming for the future.