If your library is looking to fund a new project or service that welcomes people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at your library, consider the Autism Welcome Here Grant.
The “Autism Welcome Here: Library Programs, Services and More” grant honors the groundbreaking work of Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected co-founder, Meg Kolaya, for her contributions in promoting inclusion, connecting libraries with the autism community, and bringing awareness of the needs of individuals with ASD and their families to the library community. It is sponsored by Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected.
All types of libraries, either in the U.S. or Canada, are encouraged to apply. Proposals can fund projects or services directed at any age group. Applicants may propose to initiate a new, creative program or service, bring an established, successful program or service to their library for the first time, or enhance a program or service that they currently offer. All proposed projects must benefit people with ASD or their families, directly or indirectly.
Looking for inspiration and ideas for your application? Check out the 2016-2017 First Year Grant Winners, along with the impressive results and resources they have created about their grant funded project. Be sure to also peruse the 2017-018 Second Year Grant Winner as well.
The Autism Welcome Here Grant Committee is officially accepting applications until the deadline on December 1, 2017. Questions? Contact Barbara Klipper at b.klipper@icloud.com.
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Today’s guest blogger is Renee Grassi. Renee is proud to be an active member of ALSC. Renee was an Autism Welcome Here Grant Committee Member from 2014-2017. She was member of the ALSC Committee for Special Populations and their Caregivers and one of the founding Board Members of Illinois’s Targeting Autism Initiative. She was also one of the founding members of SNAILS—an Illinois networking group dedicated to developing more accessible libraries to children and teens with disabilities. As a former ALSC blogger, Renee considers herself an advocate for inclusion and accessibility in libraries. Renee is currently the Youth Services Manager at Dakota County Library System in Dakota County, Minnesota. You can connect with her on her website and on Twitter at @MissReneeDomain.