Disability Pride Month at NYPL
The New York Public Library is celebrating Disability Pride Month throughout July. Discover a wide array of accessible resources, including book recommendations, accessible technology training, braille study groups, and more. Plus, join us for free events for all ages—this month and all year long!
Braille Study Group
Saturdays | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM at Heiskell Library; 11:30 AM–12:30 PM Online
Tuesdays | 7–8:30 PM Online
Learners at all levels are welcome! Bring your questions, get support, and learn braille for free—join us at the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, or participate virtually from home.
Summer Art Workshops with Kaela Mei-Chee Chambers
Join the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library in partnership with The High Line for hands-on workshops with artist Kaela Mei-Chee Chambers, whose art is inspired by her experience with a loved one’s aphasia.
Explore the Library’s Treasures
Visitors can explore highlights from our world-renowned research collections with sensory-friendly family days, accessible tours, and more at the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures! Plus, dive deeper into the exhibition with our Audio Guide, available in English, English with verbal descriptions, español (Spanish), and 普通话 (Mandarin)—all on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app, or online.
More Free Events for All Ages
Join us in celebrating Disability Pride Month with events for all ages, including craft sessions, storytimes, sensory-friendly exhibition hours, comic book discussions, and more.
NYPL’s Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library
The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library provides free accessible reading material for patrons who are blind, visually impaired, or are otherwise physically unable to read standard print. These include materials to borrow in a wide range of formats—including braille, talking books, and magazines—for users of all ages, as well as players and apps. Patrons can also find accessible programming and events, individual coaching in assistive technology, group tech workshops, braille study groups, and more. Explore more online and read or listen to the Heiskell Library newsletter.
Dimensions Lab at Heiskell Library
We all need to understand maps, diagrams, images, and other spatial information. For people who learn and work nonvisually, accessing quality graphics and 3-D models can be a challenge. The Dimensions Lab at Heiskell Library offers free, hands-on training about best practices in tactile design and free, accessible hardware and software that anyone can use to start designing.
Image: Beth Perkins via MIT Technology Review
Plan Your Visit! The Visitor Center at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Discover everything our new Visitor Center has to offer, including digital and tactile displays about the Library's legacy, collection items, maps, and more.
Save the Date! NYPL’s Accessible Community, Culture and Technology Fair
October 18–19 | 11 AM–4 PM | Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library
Organized by the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, the Accessible Community, Culture, and Technology Fair is a place to connect with accessibility-focused groups and organizations from various fields. Meet representatives from educational, employment, advocacy, and arts fields; participate in technology demonstrations; hear speakers on civic engagement and activism, and more! No registration required to attend.
If you're part of an organization serving the blind and low vision and would like a table at the fair, please email talkingbooks@nypl.org.
Disability Pride Month Recommendations
Celebrate Disability Pride Month with book recommendations in accessible formats for kids, teens, and adults! Discover a wide selection of books and resources that highlight the importance of disability rights and challenge ableism by uplifting and celebrating people with disabilities.
- Disability Pride Month: Recommended Reads for All Ages
- Representation Matters: Kids Books That Embrace Disability and Difference
- Summer Staff Picks: Accessible Editions
- Listen: Talkin' Talking Books Podcast Episodes
- Watch: Let's Write About Braille
- 15 Books to Celebrate Disability Pride
- Early Literacy Resources for Kids with Low or No Vision
Watch Now: Disability Pride Conversations & Events
Tune in to author talks, panel discussions, and presentations on topics ranging from language justice in disabled communities to accessible technology, and more!
- Art Activism and Language Justice in Disabled Communities
- NYPL's Accessible Technology Conference 2023
- Author Talk: M. Leona Godin and Andrew Leland
- Author Talk: Keah Brown and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
- Easy Beauty: Chloé Cooper Jones with Christine Smallwood
- Disability Visibility: Alice Wong and Maysoon Zayid
More Accessible Resources
For more information or for an accommodation needed for a program, please email accessibility@nypl.org. To learn more about the accessibility of NYPL websites and mobile applications, see our Web & Mobile Accessibility Policy.
Find programs and services below for our community members with disabilities:
Get a Library Card
Sign up for a library card for free online today! Access everything the Library has to offer, from assistive technology coaching in various languages to braille study groups, with your library card.
Download the NYPL App
Get the power of The New York Public Library, anytime, anywhere. With the NYPL app, you can access everything the Library has to offer from home or while you’re on the go.
Start Borrowing Today!
The Library makes books accessible to everyone. We provide free access to talking books, talking book players, books in braille, downloadable talking books, and free apps for mobile devices. Plus, if you’re unable to visit a branch, you can get started with our e-reader app or Books by Mail service.
Connect with Us
Get the latest NYPL events to celebrate Disability Pride Month, plus author talks, classes, and more delivered straight to your inbox.
Personalized Book Bundles
Tell us what you like to read and we’ll handpick a personalized book bundle just for you! Get Shelf Help in open branches, online, or by calling Ask NYPL at 917-ASK-NYPL.
Help Us Support All New Yorkers
The New York Public Library depends on the support of donors like you to fund our educational resources, job help, community outreach, and more for all New Yorkers. Friends of the Library are vital as we expand access to resources including bilingual storytimes, ESOL classes, and e-books in world languages. Support the Library today, and make a membership gift to enjoy special benefits.
