The Gregg-Graniteville Library Access Services has provided work experience and internships for students and community members with disabilities. One path for offering internship opportunities has been through the USCA Life program, which gives individuals with intellectual disabilities the chance to experience campus life, build connections within the community, and gain valuable work experience. In addition to hiring USCA Life students, the library has also been approached by community members seeking work experiences tailored to their individual learning needs. Our research offers guidelines for creating meaningful work experiences and provides additional resources to support libraries that are new to offering internships for individuals with diverse abilities.
Libraries are often sought-after locations for individuals looking to obtain work or internship experience. Providing meaningful job experiences for people with disabilities can feel uncertain, especially for libraries new to this type of programming. This poster, which links to a detailed guide, shares practical pointers based on our library’s successes and challenges. It will address key considerations for establishing successful work experiences for individuals with disabilities, including effective communication, guidelines for setting up internships, establishing clear expectations, training and task adaptation, troubleshooting common challenges, as well as local and government resources.
