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Supporting Students with Significant Disabilities in School Libraries
A Vision for Radical Inclusion
Supporting Students with Significant Disabilities in School Libraries
A Vision for Radical Inclusion
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Description
The resource school librarians and teachers need to support students with disabilities in an inclusive space.
Providing ready-to-use lessons, programs, and ideas, this book offers valuable advice for school librarians and teachers who are supporting students with disabilities. Readers will walk away with specific ideas for collaborating with the other professionals on campus to support these students' specific needs. Understand how to create and nurture important relationships with these students and their teachers, how to support IEP learning goals in library lessons, and how to write inclusive library skills lessons.
A unique feature of this guide is its tutorial on adapted books. Adapting books for durability and adding sensory items to enhance images offers an added connection to the story and increases engagement for students both with and without disabilities.
This book provides practical strategies based on the author's hands-on experience, teaching readers how to seek funding, gain administrator support, host community adapting events, partner with community members and companies, and create the books and collections themselves. Research, ideas, and lessons from other professionals, including special education teachers, are included for a wide range of expertise and creative ideas.
The encouraging and helpful advice in this book will inspire you to build an inclusive library that supports all students in the school community.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Disabilities, Special Education, and Inclusive Practices
2. Collaboration
3. Environment
4. Library Time
5. Lessons
6. Programs and Events
7. Adapted Books Overview
8. How To Create Adapted Book Library Collections
9. From Page to Practice: Examples of Real Library Visits
Conclusion
Appendix Introduction
Appendix A: Resources for More Information on Disabilities and Special Education
Appendix B: Visual Schedules
Appendix C: Class Information Sheet
Appendix D: Student Book Checkout Log
Appendix E: Email to Initiate Collaboration with Special Education Professional(s)
Appendix F: Conversation Guide for Initial Meeting with Special Education Professional(s)
Appendix G: Library Lesson Teacher Support Request Form
Appendix H: Lesson Plan Template
Appendix I: Ready-Made Lessons
Appendix J: Kit Catalog and Checkout System
Appendix K: Adapted Library Book Information Sheet to Send Home with Books
Glossary
Author and Contributor Bios
Product details
| Published | Jan 08 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | Ebook (PDF) |
| Edition | 1st |
| Extent | 224 |
| ISBN | 9798216183662 |
| Imprint | Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
About the contributors
Reviews
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Supporting Students with Significant Disabilities in School Libraries: A Vision for Radical Inclusion is both a practical guide and a call to action. Courtney Walker weaves together her experience, research, and collaborations with special education professionals to show librarians how to create spaces, collections, and programs that truly welcome every learner. From adapted book collections to accessible lesson design, this book offers concrete strategies for transforming libraries into equitable, inclusive environments where students with significant disabilities can thrive. More than a toolkit, it's a reminder of the library's role in building a just, compassionate school community.
Amanda Hunt, MLIS, Library Media Specialist, Secondary Lead Librarian
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As a school librarian, I often see how few resources exist to help make books truly accessible for students of all abilities. This book is both inspiring and necessary-it opens the door to conversations we've been needing and reminds us that every child deserves the joy of reading.
Dr. Karina Quilantan-Garza, Assistant Professor, Sam Houston State University, USA
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Supporting Students with Significant Disabilities in School Libraries is Courtney's labor of love and passion project for the two communities she cares most about-school libraries and young people. I am awestruck by her dedication and am so delighted to celebrate this invaluable resource she's crafted for libraries serving kids everywhere; I know it will be a tool you will find invaluable as a school librarian; I hope it helps you truly serve every child that finds their way to your library.
Dr. Rose Brock, Associate Professor and educator at Sam Houston State University, USA
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This book is an essential guide for all school librarians that work with students with significant disabilities. This resource shares the tools to incorporate further accessibility. It ensures that access is given to all patrons.
Milissa Vo, School Librarian
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Supporting Students with Significant Disabilities in School Libraries will change the way you approach your library lessons and the needs of your learners! EVERY learner is important, and Walker's text has strategies and adaptations that will allow you to maintain the integrity of your lessons by changing the very way you think about accessibility in the school library. Do your students a favor and check out Walker's Supporting Students with Significant Disabilities in School Libraries!
Rachael Welsh, School Librarian

























