The Europe Challenge

The Local Challenge

The city of Terrassa aims to guarantee access to culture, reading and information equitably for residents through the city’s public library. However, not everyone has the same opportunities and the library supports disadvantaged sectors, including people with disabilities. This initiative involves collaborating with a local organisation called LaFact to increase employment opportunities for people with intellectual and other disabilities – helping to promote socialisation, skills development and self-esteem, while normalising disabled people’s presence in public spaces. 

The Initiative  

Terrassa’s well-used libraries are ideal for promoting inclusivity. Partnering with LaFact and other disability-focused organisations, they aim to transform library access for people with disabilities. They offer tailored reading clubs, guided tours for special schools and staff training to integrate and empower individuals with disabilities – with the aim of enhancing their autonomy, inclusion and well-being. Tasks undertaken by people with disabilities include emptying the book return mailbox, shelving books, repairing damaged ones, reviewing donations and maintaining the garden. This boosts their self-esteem and normalises their presence and inclusive access to the library. 

After The Europe Challenge

The Terrassa Library has expanded its initiative with multiple partners and has become so popular with the clients from the disability centres, they have had to create a booking system for volunteering slots. They have fully incorporated this work into their annual action plan and have a continuous objective to maintain and achieve growth. Future plans include participating in a provincial-level working group on libraries and mental health; producing read-aloud podcasts on the local radio with texts that cover mental health issues and starting a ‘human libraries’ project with people with disabilities talking, as oral books, about their illness and resilience. The library’s inclusive volunteering scheme has also been presented to the local government, for their consideration in mainstreaming.

Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.