[MD-Sligo] Center for Accessibility Newsletter| April 2026

Thu Mar 26 20:24:05 UTC 2026

Center for Accessibility Newsletter. April Edition. 

"The Center for Accessibility assists individuals with disabilities to access programs, services, and collections at all branches of the DC Public Library. For information about requesting accommodations, including sign language interpreters, please visit the DC Public Library Accessibility Page. [ https://www.dclibrary.org/accessibility ]"

________________________________________________________________________

April at a Glance

  * Practice American Sign Language (ASL) on your own with via Mango Languages 
  * Join our online ASL classes via Zoom until the end of Summer! 
  * Accessible movie screening of "Lilo & Stitch" on Saturday, April 18th with ASL interpreting and open captions right on the screen 
  * Exciting programs for children and families - including a new location for our popular Special Olympics Young Athletes Play Group! 

________________________________________________________________________

Practice American Sign Language with ASL Inside via Mango Languages
Practice American Sign Language (ASL) via Mango Languages with your DC Public Library card!

  * Self-paced courses designed to meet your learning speed 
  * Magic Mirror allows instant visual comparison for accurate sign modeling 
  * Build essential skills for engaging in basic ASL conversations 

*Start Today with ASL Inside* [ https://www.dclibrary.org/research-and-learn/asl-inside-mango-languages ] 

________________________________________________________________________

Join us online for more Beginner and Intermediate ASL classes on Zoom!

ASL Class Virtual1 
Beginner ASL (Online)

April 23 – June 25 (Thursdays), 12-1 p.m. *Instructor: Florence

Learn some basic signing skills, up to 100 vocabulary words, and rules of grammar. Although focus is on beginners, everyone is welcome to join the class, regardless of skill level.

*Register for Beginner ASL* [ https://dc-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/8HIxRR-yT4y-lSImfmEEww ] 

ASL Class Virtual2 
Intermediate ASL (Online)

July 6 – August 24 (Mondays), 12-1 p.m.  *Instructor: Bronte

To get the most out of the class, participants should have completed a Beginning Level class or equivalent and be comfortable having a basic conversation in ASL.

*Register for Intermediate ASL* [ https://dc-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/YIcAvwn4TVeA1H33m6NbOg#/registration ] 

*IMPORTANT:* Please make sure you have a working web cam on your computer before you sign in to the classes.  In order to get the most out of learning ASL, the instructor needs to be able to see the participants and the participants need to be able to see each other as well as see the instructor. 

________________________________________________________________________

VoiceOver and Braille Classes – Spring/Summer 2026 

Center for Accessibility, 2nd Floor
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

Patron listening to phone using VoiceOver  

*VoiceOver for iOS: Thursdays*  

March 5 - May 14, 2026 (No class April 16th)

June 4 - August 13, 2026

Intro: 1 - 2 p.m.

Intermediate Drop-In and Apps: 2:15 - 3:15 p.m.

Photo of a braille slate, stylus, and pages of printed braille  

*Beginner Braille: Saturdays*

November 8, 2025 - June 13, 2026 

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Learn the Braille alphabet; how to work with a slate and stylus; and use a Perkins brailler

*To register please call 202-727-2142 or email DCPLaccess at dc.gov.*

________________________________________________________________________

Accessible Film Screening: Lilo & Stitch

Accessible film flyer Lilo &amp; Stitch 
Saturday, April 18 
2 p.m.

MLK Library, Room 401-E (4th Floor)

Run Time: 1 hour, 48 minutes

Rated: PG

The film will be shown with ASL and open captions right on the screen.  

To request other reasonable accommodation for this program, please contact DCPLaccess at dc.gov or call 202-727-2142.

________________________________________________________________________

Programs for Children & Families

Special Olympics Young Athlete in Tunnel   
Special Olympics Young Athletes Playgroup

Fridays, 4-5 p.m.

April 3, 10, 17
May 1, 8, 15

**New Location added: Bellevue Neighborhood Library!*

This early childhood play program provides children with and without intellectual disabilities the same opportunities to advance in core developmental milestones through fun activities. Through play, children develop important skills for learning, like sharing, taking turns, and following directions.

Parents and caregivers, please expect to stay with your children during the program.

**Registration is not required, but it will help us know how many people plan to attend. You can reach the Bellevue Library at (202) 243-1185.*

.

Braille Club image smiling boy  

Youth Braille Club 

Friday, April 10, 4-5:30 p.m.
MLK Library, Room 205-B

Low vision and blind kids in grades K-12 are invited to Braille Club! We will read together, play tactile games, make crafts and more! No prior braille knowledge is needed.

THEME for APRIL!  I'm a Poet and I Know It:. We'll read and write haikus! Then we'll make mini zen gardens to take home!

RSVPs are helpful, but not required.

Contact the Center for Accessibility with questions or for reasonable accommodations at DCPLaccess at dc.gov or 202-727-2142.

Down Syndrome Play Group 2 children doing art project 
Down Syndrome and Friends Community Play Group

Saturdays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
April 18, May 16
Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library

Families of kids with disabilities, including Down syndrome and developmental disabilities, are invited to play, read, and create art together at the library!

We will have a variety of toys and art supplies so kids can play and create while families socialize and learn about local resources. This event is designed for families who have children ages 0-12. Siblings are welcome! 

*Register for 4/18* [ https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/15080192 ] 

*Register for 5/16* [ https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/15080193 ] 

Story Time for the Spectrum logo 
Story Time for the Spectrum

Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. 

April 11:

Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library

April 25: 
Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library

All children and their families are invited to this fun story time, packed with sensory-friendly activities designed to be enjoyed by children of all abilities, including those on the autism spectrum.

We will read a story, sing songs, and dance. Children and their grownups are encouraged to actively engage and participate with the stories and activities during the program in the ways that works best for them.

Content is designed for children ages 0-5, but children of all ages are welcome to attend with a caregiver.

*Online registration is required as space is limited.* If you have any questions or would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact DCPLaccess at dc.gov

*Register for 4/11* [ https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/15443393 ] 

*Register for 4/25* [ https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/15747927 ] 

________________________________________________________________________

ASL Story Times at DCPL! 

Children and teacher signing ASL together 

We sign and vocalize our stories and songs.  No knowledge of ASL is needed! These fun story times are for kids ages 2-5 with caregiver. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library:

Unless otherwise noted, all ASL Story Times at MLK Library during 2026 will be held on the following Mondays at 11 a.m. in the Children's Room on the 2nd Floor!

  * April 6 
  * May 4 
  * June 1 
  * July 13 
  * August 10 
  * September 14 
  * October 5 
  * November 2 
  * December 14 

ASL interpreters will be present.  For other reasonable accommodations, contact DCPLaccess at dc.gov or 202-727-2142.

Neighborhood Libraries:

  * Tuesday, April 21  11:00 a.m.  Northeast Library 
  * Saturday, April 25  11:00 a.m. Takoma Park (DC) Library 
  * Tuesday, April 28   10:30 a.m.  Cleveland Park Library 
  * Tuesday, May 19  11:00 a.m.   Northeast Library 
  * Tuesday, June 9  11:00 a.m.  Northeast Library  

________________________________________________________________________

Programs for Adults in ASL

book cover All the Colors of the Dark 

ASL Book Club

Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Virtual Program

Do you love to read and talk about books?  Are you interested in participating in an online book discussion in American Sign Language?  If so, this book club is for YOU!   Come join us for an ASL Book Club on Zoom every other month on a Wednesday evening from 6-7 p.m. ET.

The next ASL Book Club is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 6 p.m.  ET. The ASL Book Club is facilitated by librarian Janice Rosen from the Center for Accessibility.

NOTE:  Even if you do not know sign language, you are welcome to join us. Voice and automatic captioning will be provided.

The book for May 27, 2026 is *"All the Colors of the Dark", by Chris Witaker* 

*Abstract:*

1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Muhammad Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the smalltown of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing. When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges—Patch, a local boy, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake. Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another. A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession and the blinding light of hope.

.

*The book is available in the DCPL collection in the following formats*:

  * Book 
  * Large Print 
  * eBook 

*Check out the book* [ https://catalog.dclibrary.org/search/card?id=66fc1e6b-375f-57db-8ded-0cb0682057b2&entityType=FormatGroup ] 

*Register for the ASL Book Club* [ https://dc-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/MSN3W3IPSY2q5nK78u7QKg ] 

________________________________________________________________________

ASL fingerspelled 
Ongoing ASL Classes at Francis A. Gregory Library!

Fun, informal, inclusive, interactive, in-person ASL learning at the Francis A. Gregory Library through December 2026!

  * Beginning Level: Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. 
  * Intermediate Level: Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. 

These classes are organized by the Francis A. Gregory library.  Please visit their page [ https://www.dclibrary.org/plan-visit/francis-gregory-library ] for the latest class dates and times. If you have any questions about those classes please reach out to them by email at francisgregorylibrary at dc.gov or by phone at 202-698-6373. 

________________________________________________________________________

Stay Connected with DC Public Library: Facebook [ https://www.facebook.com/dclibrary ]   Twitter [ https://twitter.com/dcpl/ ]   you tube [ https://www.youtube.com/c/dcpubliclibrary ]   instagram [ https://www.instagram.com/dcpubliclibrary/ ]   Govdelivery [ https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/DCLIBRARY/subscriber/new ] SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Subscriptions [ https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/DCLIBRARY/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1 ]  |  Unsubscribe All [ https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/DCLIBRARY/subscriber/one_click_unsubscribe?verification=5.108959ead6d428fc48607daf24e259b0&destination=md-sligo%40nfbnet.org ]  |  Help [ https://subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com/ ]  

body .abe-section-table {max-width:601px !important;} body .abe-column-block {min-height: 5px;} 

________________________________________________________________________

 This email was sent to md-sligo at nfbnet.org using govDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: DC Public Library · 901 G Street Northwest · Washington DC 20001 GovDelivery logo  [ https://subscriberhelp.granicus.com/ ] 

body .abe-column-block {min-height: 5px;}
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/md-sligo_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260326/c0109d5e/attachment.htm>