Defiance Public Library System (DPLS) is partnering with The Ability Center to bring the DREAM (Disability Representation, Education, and Awareness in Media) Project to all Defiance County library locations beginning in March.
The Ability Center is a northwest Ohio agency aiming to make local communities disability friendly by increasing independence for people with disabilities and changing the communities’ perceptions of disability. The center has served the seven counties of Lucas, Ottawa, Wood, Fulton, Henry, Defiance, and Williams since 1920.
The DREAM Project is designed to ensure children’s books by, for, and about people with disabilities are available and easy to find at schools, libraries, and other community spaces. The Ability Center has donated its DREAM collection to the Defiance, Sherwood, and Hicksville library locations, featuring 13 unique titles that will be on display and available for checkout at all three libraries beginning March 1, to coincide with National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The new, inclusive titles are suitable for children from birth to 6th grade. DREAM titles include, “My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay” by Cari Best, “Rescue and Jessica” by Paul Harbridge, “Just Ask: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You” by Sonia Sotomayor, and more. A full list of DREAM titles is available at abilitycenter.org/dream.
Additionally, DPLS has launched a Disability Awareness Resource Guide you can find by clicking here.
The DREAM display at Defiance Public Library will feature related crafts, activities, and a take-home coloring book, available while supplies last. Sherwood Branch Library also will offer a take-home craft.
Additionally, Dennis Myers, Director of Early Intervention at the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities, will present at Defiance Public Library on March 7 at 10:00 a.m. and March 20 at 5:00 p.m. on the Early Intervention Program: a voluntary program for children ages 0-2 that uses a family approach to address child developmental issues. EI services are individualized, and always in the child’s natural environment. Early Intervention is a free service to families, and does not have income guideline requirements. Myers’ informational sessions are free and open to all; no registration is required.
We hope to see you at the libraries in March!
