INSIGHT ‘‘
RE you impressed by a disabled or neurodivergent library and information colleague who has overcome barriers to make it in the profession? Or a team or individual that has made significant improvements in driving forward accessibility and inclusion at the heart of their services? You can officially mark their achievements by putting them forward for this prestigious award in celebration of the dedication and commitment towards diversity.
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Previous award winner: Yasir Haniff 2024 award winner, Yasir Haniff who is a profoundly deaf NHS library worker from Frimley Health Foundation Trust is proactive in managing and overcoming obstacles created by lack of awareness and noisy environments. As well as offering practical solutions to help him hear better, he also developed a staff deaf awareness workshop which he continues to teach to NHS staff. The workshop covers his own first-hand experiences of growing up deaf to the broader and varied picture of deafness, including language and assistive technology. He said: “I feel honoured to be winning the award [and] I will use this opportunity to keep spreading about deafness.”
Who was Lynne Mackie? Lynne Mackie (1991-2021) was an NHS librarian and highly respected campaigner and advocate for stammerers. This award, set up in her memory, shines a light on the impressive work to improve inclusion and access in library services.
Remembering Lynne Mackie
Both Lynne and Yasir were working in the NHS when he met her during an education board games workshop she was running. He said, “She made the whole session fun, interactive and interesting.”
She also instinctively acted to make Yasir’s participation in the workshop less stressful being aware of how vital his remote microphone [listening device] was for following all aspects of the session including group activities: Lynne would hand the mic over to the table and then take it back after the activity was completed. “I was so impressed that she retrieved this without me having to keep reminding her.” Yasir said, “I followed her campaigns on social media and the awareness she was creating around stammering and her cancer journey. I am so pleased that an award has been made in her honour, she is an amazing inspiration, and this award will help her legacy endure.”
Augutst-September 2026
The awards will be presented at this year’s Disability Network event in celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in early December.
Disability Network
Catherine Finch is a former librarian, CILIP volunteer and Disability Network committee member and part-time charity worker. She is registered deaf and blind.
Nominate a colleague or team for the CILIP Lynne Mackie Accessibility Award
Award ceremony
The awards will be presented at this year’s Disability Network event in celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in early December. As well as Yasir’s Deaf Awareness, other winners include Joanne Fitzpatrick and Andrew Walsh for their involvement in setting up and leading the Neurodivergent Library and Information Staff Network (NLISN) who have provided an invaluable peer support network for neurodivergent library information staff.
Criteria for the award The panel is looking for initiatives and projects that include:
l Accessible formats: Offering audiobooks, large print, braille, and easy-to-use websites.
l Welcoming spaces: Creating quiet rooms, sensory spaces, and step-free access.
l Community teamwork: Planning services together with disabled people.
l Staff training: Teaching staff and users about accessibility and neurodiversity.
l Inspiration: Examples of overcoming difficulties due to staff disabilities or long-term health conditions
How to apply Who can enter: Any library worker, team, or project.
l What you need: A summary of your work, proof of how it helped people, and feedback from users or colleagues
l Winners will receive a trophy and digital badge with an optional opportunity to talk about their work at this year’s Disability Network event in early December.
Find out more
Nominations for the award will be open until early November 2026. The form is available on the Disability Network website with further information from
www.cilip.org.uk/community-events/diversity- networks/disability-network/
Want to join the Disability Network?
We welcome new members to help to continue building a supportive network for all disabled – including deaf, blind, visually impaired, reading disabled, chronic illnesses (physical, mental, cancer), wheelchair users, invisible disabilities and neurodivergence. Contact
info.disability@cilip.org.uk for more information. IP
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