Brooklyn Public Library to launch accessible makerspace for teens

This Saturday, Brooklyn Public Library will begin working with teens so they can get involved in the spirit of making, no matter what their abilities. The Universal Makerspace launches this Saturday.

• When: Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-noon.
• Where: Info Commons Lab, Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza.
• What: The first session will be focused on making architectural models out of cardboard.

The Universal Makerspace is a project of the library’s Child’s Place. John Huth, a young adult librarian, explained via email, “I first got the idea for this program while researching equipment for our accessible arcade which takes place every 4^th Saturday of the month at Central. We use a lot of accessible controller for this program some of which can be modified to meet the specific needs of individuals.”

Individuals with disabilities have a long history of using technology in innovative ways to overcome real world challenges.

In fact, he said, as necessity is the mother of invention, people in the disability movement have been coming up with DIY fixes for a long time. “Individuals with disabilities have a long history of using technology in innovative ways to overcome real world challenges and barriers experienced by many in the disability community,” Huth wrote.

The program is free and open to any young person that wants to participate. Kids without disabilities will get a chance to learn that they can make their own fixes for problems they face and others in need of assistance will see that there are accessible tools readily at hand.

Huth drew inspiration from a variety of sources, including Manhattan’s existing program, DIYability.