Adults with disabilities can become disconnected from support services and community engagement after leaving school, leaving them isolated and lacking in creative outlets. In order to reintroduce people to ongoing services and community available at the public library, we designed structured, inclusive maker programs specifically for adults and teens with disabilities that were delivered on-site and in special education classrooms.

Working with specific programs within Public Schools and Parks and Recreation, Denver Public Library designed maker activities at the library for adults and teens with disabilities. Library staff worked with staff at partner agencies to adapt existing maker and technology lesson plans for universal inclusivity and then library staff delivered these programs in school classrooms and on visits to the library makerspace. Participants were invited to visit during open lab for further exploration.

A major goal of the partnership was for participants to develop positive relationships with library staff. In feedback surveys, participants said that staff were helpful and kind. They also reported that they felt more comfortable planning return visits to the library, connecting them with an ongoing community resource. Partnerships with other community agencies meant that staff were able to recommend library resources and services available across the city. Increased programming is planned for 2018-19.