One of the missions of school library is to provide equal access to information and inclusive library services to all its users, including students with disabilities in Special Education program. “The American Library Association recognizes that persons with disabilities are a large and often neglected part of society. The library plays a catalytic role in their lives by facilitating their full participation in society.” – http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/servicespeopledisabilities . Thus, it is essential that school librarian ensures the implementation of Universal Design approach https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=how-universal-design-will-make-your-library-more-inclusive and meet the requirements of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) https://adata.org/learn-about-ada . This research project focuses on assistive/ adaptive technology in school library for k-12 students with visual disabilities: from low vision to blindness. The annotated bibliography of top ten resources on assistive technology will help/guide school librarian in determining the appropriate technology that will best support equitable library access. In this list you can find the most current adaptive reading devices/ software that can be used for alternative format collections ranging from no cost (e.g. free apps with ebooks, audiobooks) or low cost and high cost depending on your school library’s budget/funds. The aim of this research is to promote/ increase disability awareness and offer teacher-librarian resources/ information on assistive reading technology that will enhance all students’ educational success and meet their diverse needs. Not covered in the list are the funding/ grants sources and other types of disabilities such as physical, hearing etc. but my main interest is to find useful resources for library staff to better assist students who are not able to access print due to visual impairment.
Best 10 Resources:
1. Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp. websites
Apple Inc. “Apple Accessibility: We’ve Done Everything to Make Anything Possible.” Apple Inc., 2019, https://www.apple.com/accessibility/ . AND Microsoft Corp. “Accessibility Resources at Microsoft.” Microsoft , 2019, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/features?activetab=pivot_1:primaryr2 .
Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp. are the two world’s largest companies in delivering the latest assistive technologies. These two websites are excellent resources in finding the newest assistive technology for persons with visual disabilities to help them access library information and services. ” At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. We are committed to delivering great experiences and customer service to people with disabilities. “-Microsoft, 2019. This company launched free monthly webinar series to empower every customer with accessibility knowledge. For example: “Magnifier and Low Vision Features in Windows 10” –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CvigNx0M5Y&feature=youtu.be . Librarians will find Apple and Microsoft as great resources in knowing the most current and useful adaptive technology.
2. BookShare website
Bookshare. “Read Your Way Ebooks for People with Reading Barriers.” Beneficent Technology Inc., 2002-2019, http://www.bookshare.org/cms/.
This site offers free online library of digital books (e-books in large print, audiobooks) for people with visual impairments, physical disabilities, and learning disabilities. In the site, there is menu option “BookShare for Schools : Educators Get Started Guide ” school can sign up for free and register students with qualifying disabilities. Utilizing this resource can make reading easier and enjoyable for students with visual disabilities.
3. Book/eBook : Making Libraries Accessible: Adaptive Design and Assistive Technology
Booth, Char, et al. “Making Libraries Accessible: Adaptive Design and Assistive Technology.” Library Technology Reports, vol.48, no.7, ALA TechSource, 2012, EBSCOhost, https://bow.highline.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=nlebk&AN=800552&site=ehost-live&scope=siteBook.
This book and ebook format from EBSCOhost discusses the library’s commitment to accessibility, good design, and open information that will basically improve the library experience of people with disabilities. The six authors of this book shared their expertise in evaluating Assistive Technology products such as literacy software, ebooks/e-readers for users with print disabilities and addressed the standards, spaces and services, devices, websites, and collections. It offers best practices and great information on utilizing assistive technology to promote accessibility.
4. Blog: Assistive Technologies:Equity and Inclusion for All
Broughton, Jason. “Assistive Technologies:Equity and Inclusion for All.” ALSC Blog, 10 December 2018, https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2018/12/assistive-technologies-equity-and-inclusion-for-all/ .
This is a blog post written by a librarian at the Vermont Department of Libraries and he discusses the barriers of using assistive technology to children as well as teenagers and examines ways to improve access of library users with disabilities. He listed some notable AT such as : Speech Recognition Software- Dragon Naturally Speaking, Text to Speech Software- “Natural Reader” https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/natural-reader-text-to-sp/kohfgcgbkjodfcfkcackpagifgbcmimk?hl=en , Visual Aids- screen magnification software and Audio aids ” close captioning for videos”. In this blog has useful link to the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs- http://watap.org/loan: “Device Lending Library”.
5.Library of Congress Website
Library of Congress. “Assistive Technology Products for Information Access.” National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, https://www.loc.gov/nls/resources/blindness-and-vision-impairment/devices-aids/assistive-technology-products-information-access/.
” National Library Service (NLS) is a free braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page.”-NLS at the Library of Congress. This web page contains “2018 Assistive Technology Products for Information Access” and the following are free softwares: VoiceOver (Apple), ChromeBox, Google TalkBack, Dictation (Apple), Non-Visual Desktop Access (NVDA), Siri (Apple), Speech Recognition (Microsoft) and BrowseAloud (TextHelp). NLS also gives free braille book in English and Spanish versions to children ages 0-7 through the program “ReadBooks!”http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/programs/readbooks/readbooks.html . In this website includes internet sources that librarians can look to such as The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) https://www.w3.org/WAI/roles/users/ . This YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20SHvU2PKsM provides an “Introduction to Web Accessibility and W3C Standards.”
6. Book/eBook: Assistive Technologies in the Library
Mates, Barbara T., and William R. Reed. Assistive Technologies in the Library. American Library Association, 2011.
This book is also available in ebook format: https://bow.highline.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=nlebk&AN=362966&site=ehost-live&scope=site from EBSCOhost and offers many technology accessibility options that librarians can choose from when assisting visually impaired person such as screen readers, large print access, braille displays etc. This can serve as a guidebook for librarian because of the useful information in each chapter, for example in Chapter four -When Computers Talk: Listening to the Web and Printed Materials, it gives practical tips when assisting persons with low vision or blindness . It has also comprehensive notes/information at the end of each chapter and the Appendix contains list of vendors in assistive technologies. This is a “must have” book for librarians to ensure equal accessibility of all its library users.
7. Website/ Facebook Site: Paths to Literacy
Paths to Literacy. “Sources of Large Print Materials.” Paths to Literacy for Students who are Blind and Visually Impaired, http://www.pathstoliteracy.org/sources-large-print-materials .
Paths to Literacy shares various topics on literacy for individuals who are visually impaired, blind and is a collaborative project between Perkins School for the Blind and Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. I included this web page because it has a resource guide to assistive technology for students with low vision and vast sources for large print materials which librarian can use as reference for large print books. This is Path’s Facebook link https://www.facebook.com/ptliteracy/ and it serves as an interactive hub of resources with tips, videos on literacy and adaptive technology for blind and visually impaired persons.
8. Article: Library and Information Services to the Visually Impaired Persons
Rayini, Junaid. “Library and Information Services to the Visually Impaired Persons.” LibraryPhilosophy and Practice, University of Idaho Library, June 2017, https://search-proquest-com.bow.highline.edu/docview/1931961265?OpenUrlRefId=info:xri/sid:primo&accountid=1327 .
This is an article with audio (useful access for visually impaired library staff ) available in Highline’s Proquest Database that “describes the barriers faced by visually impaired, their information needs, highlights the special equipments and services that the libraries are expected to provide and provide suggestive guidelines for improving the library and information services to visually impaired” (Rayini, 2017). It includes list of the most popular software programs such as “Dragon Naturally Speaking” , a speech-to-text engine that allows users to dictate into Windows-compatible programs like Microsoft Word or Outlook, ‘DocReader’ which is a talking word processor. IFLA ( International Federation of Library Asociations and Institutions) prepared suggestive guidelines for improving the library and information services to visually impaired featured in this article that will aid libraries to effectively serve print-disabled library users. This a great resource for librarian to learn more when assisting students with visual impairment and implementing the necessary assistive technologies.
9. Interview/Article: Making Technology Accessible to Everybody
TechSoup. “Making Technology Accessible to Everybody.” TechSoup for Libraries, 13 September 2017, http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/spotlight/making-technology-accessible-to-everybody .
This is an interview of two public librarians about their library’s accessible technology in computer lab. The highlights of interview are: making assessment of technology needs and make a plan to implement, community partnership with education professionals and parents of person with disabilities, holding staff training on using the hardware/ software ( having an available binder: how to’s of adaptive technologies for staff quick reference) and to look for free webinar trainings on latest technology from Association of Specialized & Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), TechSoup for Libraries and Edge. These two librarians are committed in serving the whole community and gave good advice that other school librarians can consider when assisting visually impaired students.
10. Washington Talking Book and Braille Library Website
Washington State Library. ” For Schools and Teachers.” Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, 2019, https://www.wtbbl.org/schoolsandteachers.aspx .
This site is our own state library for individuals with disabilities and offers thousands of fiction and nonfiction titles in audio, braille, and large print. The mission statement of WTBBL is to “build community and provides equal access to information and reading materials for Washington residents unable to read standard print.” Registered school/school district with eligible students can borrow braille books and other library resources by phone, e-mail or ordering online. This is a recent YouTube video (April 20, 2019) about WTBBL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LMHXxLoR8w .
I highly recommend this additional free braille resource (pdf) to school librarian with students who are blind in the Special Education program https://www.ndvisionservices.com/sites/www/files/documents/FreeBraillePrograms.pdf from North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind website.
*More resources:
ASCLA’s Library Accessibility Tip Sheets: http://www.ala.org/asgcla/resources/tipsheets/assistive-technology and “Library Accessibility Toolkits”: https://www.asgcladirect.org/resources/ . DIYAbility: “Makerspace With & Without Disabilities” https://www.diyability.org/ .
Erlita's Blog 