Assistive technology

Accessibility and assistive technology are very important for libraries. Libraries want to share the wealth of information they hold within their walls or any that they may have access to. At Michigan State University Library they have an assistive technology center. http://www.lib.msu.edu/about/atc/index.jsp on the site they give the viewer a map to show what they have in the center, they list the software on the computers, and they also have a list of the other technology that they have available. 

• SARA Reading Machine
• Kurzweil 1000 & 3000 Scanning & Reading software
• Zoom Text Screen Enlarger
• Jaws for Windows Screen Reader
• Alva Braille Terminal ABT40 - installed on one workstation
• Clear View 700 Magnifier

You can read more about each of the technologies that they have listed. The site is very helpful, but more importantly the library is very helpful. They have many ways for people who have different needs to get all of the wealth of information that can be available!

The City of San Diego Public Library offers services to persons with disabilities through the I Can! Center in the Central Library located at 820 E St., San Diego.  There is a collection of large print books, talking book machines, and TTY/TDD reference service among other services.  Each branch is listed with the services/technologies they provide.  I found the City's web site easy to navigate and the information easy to find.  

Hi, Everybody:

I decided to blog about the assistive and adaptive programs at the Denver Public Library.  I chose this one because we looked at it briefly last semester, and our book said that a famous library personage, John Cotton Dana, started out at the Denver Public Library.  Here is the link Denver Public Library Services for Persons with Disabilities

The Library's Mission Statement about this issue is as follows:

The Denver Public Library is committed to providing equal access for all people who wish to use the library and its collection.

The user can click on Visual Access, Physical Access, and TTY.  Next follows a list of the technology with a very clear description of what each does, how to use it,  and where he library system it is available.  One example follows:

Visual Access Workstation Equipment

Chroma CCD Magnifier

This equipment allows the user to enlarge everyday printed reading materials. Simply place the book, newspaper or any printed material on a platform and the image appears enlarged on a screen above. It magnifies up to 60 times, minimizes glare and eliminates hot spots. The monitor is placed directly in front of the user for comfortable reading. (Only available at the Central Library, Community Technology Center, Level Four and Western History Department, Level Five.)

In addition, the Library offers Books by Mail for homebound users and a Bookmobile which makes stops for the convenience of users who are not able to visit the Library.  A helpful listing of further sites follows.

Comment:  I am really impressed by the really nice and respectful way users with disabilities are described by these libraries in a way which does not define them by their disability or economic or legal status alone.  The first one which struck me was on the NYPL website which said "Persons without homes" rather than "The homeless."

More tomorrow!

Library Programs Site Springfield Missouri

Here is a website that can be very helpful for those who have kids and live in the Springfield, Missouri county area. http://thelibrary.org/kids/programpod.cfm

Here at this site people can find out a lot of the children programs that are going on at the local libraries. On the site it lists programs in chronological order as well as showing a basic overview of what the programs are and where they are going to be. I like the way that it is set up. It makes it easy to find programs that are closest to the patron, different dates and times, and what programs will be offered in the future. It is also cute for kids to look at and easy to navigate.

I am not sure how many of these websites are out there but I think there should be more. It makes it easier to plan for library programs and to have more exposure to what is going on in their area.