By AMY MANN
Technical Assistant, Children’s Services Warsaw Community Public Library

WARSAW — Recently, frequent news stories and social networking posts have appeared featuring children with disabilities, and discussing how society can treat these individuals with dignity and inclusion. Our community is on the forefront of that movement.

Area schools, both public and private, are addressing the needs of students who need intervention. Winona Lake now has a limitless park, thanks to the efforts of local citizens. And the Warsaw Community Public Library welcomes children of all abilities.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 13 percent of public school students receive services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. These include children with hearing, vision, motor or mobility issues, as well as those with speech and language impairments, autism, intellectual abilities, a developmental delay, or multiple disabilities.

Interventionists from local schools use our facility regularly for one-on-one time with kids who need extra attention. We have come to know many of the children by name, and hope that they feel comfortable here at the library.

Sometimes short-term relationships are formed as kids play board games or Legos together. And hopefully, these will lead to long-term friendships as children meet elsewhere in the community.

Come and visit the Children’s Department if you’re looking for books to read with your children about other kids like them with problems that they may or may not have to contend with. Beverly Lewis has a written a picture book called “In Jesse’s Shoes,” which addresses this subject. Or perhaps a non-fiction book would strike your child’s fancy; one like “Oh, Brother! Growing up with a Special Needs Sibling” by Natalie Hale.

We have compiled a list of 92 picture books and juvenile non-fiction and biographies which is available upon request. You can also ask for our list of chapter books on the same subject.