Libraries have always been about community, access, and equity—and that mission doesn’t disappear with the building closed! In fact, our online services open new possibilities for reaching and uplifting students who may not have felt fully included before. By continuing to adapt and listen, we can ensure our virtual presence is just as welcoming as our physical one, maybe even more so.
For many students, especially neurodivergent students, a physical library environment can be overwhelming or inaccessible. With physical library spaces temporarily limited, online services must step up to meet the needs of our students. What some might see as a limitation may actually be a powerful opportunity for inclusion.
Here are a few ways the Sheridan Libraries’ online services can support neurodivergent students in meaningful ways:
Sensory-friendly Access
Online resources remove many of the sensory barriers that exist in physical spaces. There is no harsh lighting, background noise, or social pressures to distract or pressure. Students can access materials in their own time, from environments that feel comfortable and safe. Perhaps perfect quiet isn’t for you and you need a little background sound to get the gears in your mind turning, go ahead and put on the music or sound that you need!
Flexible Research Support
Live chat with librarians, email consultations, and asynchronous tutorials allow students to seek help without the pressure of real-time interaction. This flexibility supports students who experience anxiety, need more processing time, or prefer written over spoken communication. This also benefits those of us who are night owls and do our best work when the sun goes down.
Customized Learning Tools
Online databases and guides can be explored at an individual pace. Many platforms also allow text resizing, color adjustments, text-to-speech tools, and note-taking features, thus empowering students to engage with content in ways that fit their learning styles.
Please feel free to reach out to us should you need any accommodation. Our librarians are dedicated to providing equitable access to resources so that all of our students have what they need to succeed.