Assistive Technology in Public Libraries

Meg Canada, LibrarianeLibrary, Applications Development, & Training

Hennepin County Library

Levels of Ability

Ability may be considered to be on a continuum. Strive to use language that is respectful and appropriate. For example, the deaf community uses the term “hard of hearing” rather than “hearing impaired.”

The Facts

• There are an estimated 54 million people with disabilities living in the U.S.

– U.S. Census Bureau

• There are nearly 7 million school-aged children with disabilities in the U.S. – Congressional Research Service

The Facts (cont.)

• Nearly 70 percent of working-age adults with disabilities are unemployed. – U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division and Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division

• Fewer than 25 percent of people with disabilities who could be helped by assistive technology are using it.

– Alliance for Technology Access

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology is a device that allows an individual with a disability to do what they could not do without the device. Assistive Technology ranges from highly complex technology to simple adjustments that can make life more dignified, remove barriers and change lives. – From the Assistive Technology of Minnesota (ATMn) Website

Why Assistive Technology?

• AT can mean economic and intellectual freedom for many people.

• “Electronic Curb-Cuts” benefit everyone.

• Universal Design is smart design.

• It’s our ethical responsibility to provide access to information.

AT @ your library

• Visit and talk to community groups

• Choose programs and devices that are widely used

• Consider low tech vs. high tech devices and software programs

• Consider space and resources

Closed-Circuit Televisions (Print Magnifiers)

• Use a special television camera and a monitor

• 4-50 times magnification

Alternate Keyboards

• Programmable keyboards

• On-screen keyboards

• Large Print/Large Keys

Alternate Mice

• Trackball

• Head Controlled (Camera Mice)

• Joystick (aka Jouse)

• Touch Pads

• Touch Screens

• Tablets

• Foot Pedals

Adjustable Tables and Desks

• There is no such thing as a standard wheelchair

• Not all users are at a “seated height”

• Hand crank and powered lift

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Software and Scanners

• Also called Text to Speech Programs

• Software: Kurzweil, OpenBook

• Device: VERA

Refreshable Braille Displays

• Tactile output of information from the computer screen

• Small, rounded plastic or metal pins form Braille characters

Screen Magnifiers vs. Readers

Magnifiers

• MAGic

• ZoomText

• Supernova

Readers

• JAWS

• Window-Eyes

• HAL

TTY/TDD’s

• Still widely used by deaf and hard of hearing community

• Can be modem-based

• Use their own set of language conventions

• Relay Services: telephone and video

Assistive Listening Devices

• Two types:– personal use (PocketTalkers)– group use (conference room systems)

• Primary purpose:– not to make a louder signal

• Goal:– make desired sound

stand out from thebackground noise

Voice Recognition

• Dragon Naturally Speaking

• Via Voice

Take Stock:What is already in your

collection?• Closed-captioned videos and DVD's

• Books on tape/cd’s

• Large print books

• Described videos

• eBooks

• Devices

Finding Funding

• STAR Directory

• Assistive Technology of Minnesota

• Lion’s Club

• Friends of the Library

Preparing Staff for AT

• All staff should have basic training

• Customer service training should compliment AT training

• Use manuals that come with software/ device to train staff

• Have staff practice using AT

Marketing

E-Mail

CommunityContacts

PrintMaterials

AudioMessages

Questions?

Meg Canada, Librarian

Hennepin County Library

mcanada@hclib.org

952.847.8587