Newswise — SYRACUSE, NY -- Project ENABLE (Expanding Nondiscriminatory Access by Librarians Everywhere) has launched a training website, made possible by a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grant from the Institute of Museum & Library Services. Librarians and other educators can freely access the self-paced learning modules to improve the library and information services to students with disabilities in their schools and districts.

Project ENABLE is a collaborative endeavor of the Center for Digital Literacy at the School of Information Studies (iSchool) and the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University.

The training website contains five learning modules, packed with information in a variety of formats. Each module includes content, activities, and assessments that simulate the project’s face-to-face workshops. In the summer of 2011, K-12 educators participated in professional development workshops at SU.

While the target audience is school librarians, the training website is a comprehensive resource for public and academic librarians, general and special educators, administrators, parents, and their communities. To access the training modules, visit http://projectenable.syr.edu/ and click on the “Login/Register” button on the top right of the screen.

Project ENABLE is led by Ruth Small, Laura J. & L. Douglas Meredith Professor at the iSchool and director of the Center for Digital Literacy; Renee Franklin, assistant professor of information studies; and William Myhill, director of legal research and writing at BBI.

About the Burton Blatt InstituteThe Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University reaches around the globe in its efforts to advance the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities. BBI builds on the legacy of Burton Blatt, former dean of SU’s School of Education and a pioneering disability rights scholar, to better the lives of people with disabilities. BBI has offices in Syracuse, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. Given the strong ties between one’s ability to earn income and fully participate in their communities, BBI’s work focuses on two interconnected Innovation Areas: Economic Participation and Community Participation. Through program development, research, and public policy guidance in these Innovation Areas, BBI advances the full inclusion of people with disabilities.

About the Center for Digital LiteracyThe Center for Digital Literacy is an interdisciplinary, collaborative research and development center at Syracuse University dedicated to (1) understanding the impact of information, technology and media literacies on children and adults (particularly those from underserved populations) in today's technology-intensive society and (2) studying the impact having or not having these literacies has on people, organizations, and society. This interdisciplinary approach allows us to look at issues from a variety of perspectives and to exchange ideas that broaden and enlighten approaches to research in this area.

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