Public and Academic Librarians Promoting and Providing Inclusive Services Part 1

By Mark Allnatt 12/12/14

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What common barriers do public library patrons with disabilities encounter?

For digital information there are three main types of obstacles:1. The individual does not have adequate

functionality in one of their senses (sight, hearing, or touch) or cognitive processing necessary to access a digital resource without enhancement by an assistive technology.

2

What common barriers do public library patrons with disabilities encounter?

2. The digital resource was constructed in such a way that no present assistive technologies can adequately access the information.

3

What common barriers do public library patrons with disabilities encounter?

3. The resource is accessible through assistive technologies but is so complex or inadequately structured that the individual becomes overwhelmed with the quantity of information and cannot locate the specific content desired.

4

What role do patrons with disabilities play or need to play in removing barriers to library access?

Learn to use the appropriate assistive technology:● Screen magnifiers for low vision and learning

disabilities● Screen readers for severe vision loss and

learning disabilities● Braille output for vision and/or hearing loss

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What role do patrons with disabilities play or need to play in removing barriers to library access?

Take advantage of digital resources prepared specifically for their access:For example:● Bookshare.org for accessible ebooks● Nlsbard.loc.gov for digital talking books● Learningally.org for accessible textbooks

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What role do patrons with disabilities play or need to play in removing barriers to library access?

Advocate for well constructed and/or more user friendly resource interfaces:Amazon.com full site has 75 hypertext links while www.amazon.com/gp/aw/h.html has only 18 links. Mobile App sites for online catalogs often have far less content thatn full library sites.

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How do you define assistive technology?

Section 3 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 defines assistive technology as follows:

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How do you define assistive technology?

“Assistive technology is an item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability.”

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How do you define assistive technology?

Common types of assistive technology include:● Screen magnification software● screen reading software and Text to Speech

programs● Speech recognition software with

microphones● Refreshable Braille displays

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Screen Magnification Software

MicroSoft Magnifier (Windows) and Apple Zoom (Mac) come with their Operating Systems.

http://www.magnifiers.org/index.phpThis site lists over 50 Freeware and Shareware products.

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Screen Magnification Software

Deluxe Commercial Products

● MAGIC (http://www.freedomscientific.com)● Vocatex Plus (http://www.gwmicro.com)● ZoomText (http://www.aisquared.com)Some of the above products also include screen reading or text to speech (TTS) features.

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Screen Reading Software

Narrator (Windows) and Alex (Mac) come with their operating systems.

Free: NVDA (Nonvisual Desktop Access) www.nvaccess.org

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Screen Reading Software

http://aim.cast.org/learn/e-resources/software-based/screenreaders.tts This site lists 15 products ranging from low to high cost and includes scanning and reading technology products.

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Screen Reading Software

Deluxe Commercial Products:● Jaws www.freedomscientific.com ● System Access

www.serotek.com/systemaccess ● Window-Eyes www.gwmicro.com

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Speech Recognition Software with Microphones

Speech Recognition (Windows) and Dictation (Mac) come with their operating systems.

Deluxe Product: Dragon www.nuance.com/dragon/index.htm

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Refreshable Braille Displays

www.AFB.org/ProdBrowserCatResults.asp?CatID=43 The American Foundation for the Blind lists 30 refreshable Braille display products.

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Other Technologies

www.afb.org/aw/

The American Foundation for the Blind publishes a journal titled Access World with comparisons and evaluations for all types of assistive technology.

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Are there any fundamental assistive technologies that all public libraries need?

Generally they can be viewed as a pyramid with the most likely needs forming the base and the least likely the peak. Screen magnification is an excellent place to start and will benefit the largest number of people, even those with vision loss not severe enough to be called a disability.

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Are there any fundamental assistive technologies that all public libraries need?

OtherBraille Output

Speech RecognitionScreen Reading Software

Screen Magnification Software

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How do you Balance the Need for and Benefits of ATs With Their Costs?

1. Remember every individual has the right to expect reasonable accommodation to library resources offered to the public

2. Be sure of the need before committing substantial funds.

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How do you Balance the Need for and Benefits of ATs With Their Costs?

3. Take into consideration the expected number of uses or hours of usage when compiling the cost/benefit analysis. Remember that a small number of individuals might make frequent library visits and compile hundreds of hours of usage per annum.

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What Innovative, Model or Promising Practices would you Recommend for Public Librarians?

Take the team approach:Partner up with an assistive technology consultant or person with a disability from the community.

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What Innovative, Model or Promising Practices would you Recommend for Public Librarians?

Consult Stakeholders:Library staff and patrons, local groups serving persons with disabilities or the elderly. This can also lay the groundwork for publicizing the enhanced inclusive service.

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Publicize- Publicize- Publicize!

● Prioritize actions and try out designated assistive technology products before making purchases.

● Arrange funding, install desired technology and test everything.

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