Gurry, Susan & Larkin, Anne , “Literacy Learning Abilities of Children with Developmental Disabilities,” in Currents in Literacy, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Spring 1999). http://www.lesley.edu/academic_centers/hood/currents/v2n1/gurrylarkin.html

In this article, we will refer to research, both published and unpublished, and emerging practices in literacy interventions for children with developmental disabilities. We will define developmental disabilities and offer several definitions of literacy. We will describe some of the teaching practices which we have seen as successful and offer suggestions for educators based on our research and on the work of our colleagues.

Wordsworth, Scilla & Delany, Helen. Public Libraries and Adults with Developmental Disabilities – Opportunities to Use Generic Services or Opportunities for the Personal Development of All Concerned? A Report on the Library Access Programme. Midland (Perth) Western Australia: Narkaling, Inc., April 1994. http://members.iinet.net.au/~narkalin/pages/publicat.htm
http://www.narkaling.com.au/

In Australia, as in many countries, there has not always been an understanding nor a concern for members of the community who have an intellectual disability to have access to books and to public library services. There has been a widespread misconception that all people who have not learnt to read, will not want books. No one chooses to not learn to read, and inability to read should never be interpreted as either inability or lack of desire to learn and develop through books. The Library Access Programme (LAP) demonstrated that people with intellectual disability are no different in this regard. The importance of support became evident through the programme showing that most adults with intellectual disability will achieve more with the right type of support than without. This was confirmed by a survey of previous users who have stopped using libraries. The support needs not only to be informal and positive but also long term. The support offered by the programme was support in access, support in choice of materials and use of a library, and support in use of materials. The need for adult interest “Easy to Read” books and the dearth of material that is suitable for adults with intellectual disability to read was highlighted throughout the programme.