Patrons with developmental disabilities can receive exceptional customer service when library policies and staff work in sync to make all patrons welcome in the library. Beyond the accessibility of the facility itself, driven by ADA legislation, acceptance and awareness in every day interactions and advocacy should be institutional standards to ensure patrons with developmental disabilities receive equal treatment. Policy development, assistive technology, staff training on disability awareness, volunteer and employment opportunities, collaboration with community agencies, broad-based collection development, and program adaptations can make the library more accessible to persons with disabilities. This article is based on a NYLA Institute held at the New York Library Association's 2009 annual conference in Niagara Falls and repeated at the Rochester Regional Library Council and the Nioga Library System. NYLA is grateful to the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council for their support of this training endeavor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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