Sonia Harper

TheInformationSeeker@gmail.com

* NOTE: Graphics and media (video) are temporarily included for educational purposes only; any copyrights are retained by the original creators and are protected by applicable United States and international laws and treaties.

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ADA (the Americans with Disabilities Act), IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), and the Rehabilitation Act have outlined stipulations for ensuring equitable access to the available services, facilities, and programs in educational and employment settings (Beekman and Beekman 419; http://www.compuaccess.com/ada_guide.htm).

With the exception of implant devices, assistive technology may include items, services, equipment, or product systems, whether altered or unaltered, which serve to support, improve, sustain, or increase the functional abilities of disabled persons (http://idea.ed.gov/part-c/statutes?q=assistive+technology#statute-58).

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Use of any technology requires that librarians remain cognizant of several critical factors including:

patron safety and privacy;

legal and ethical use;

staff/faculty training;

library and institutional goals; and

financial resources (Stripling 87-9, 96-7).

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The ADA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 have defined a disability as any mental or physical impairment which significantly impedes major life activities. Examples are:

sensory functions; learning; pertinent bodily processes; communication; motor activities/abilities; and self-care

(http://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm#12102; http://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/reg/narrative.html).

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IDEA adds that students with disabilities may have or exhibit:

emotional disturbances; autistic behaviors; traumatic injuries; and social/cognitive/emotional

delays

(http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/accessibility/pictures.ph;http://idea.ed.gov/part-c/statutes?q=assistive+technology#statute-58).

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Assistive (also known as adaptive or inclusive) technology requires planning for access on several dimensions:

physical space design;

relevant hardware and software; and

competent and informed library professionals

(http://www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/Strategies/Academic/Adaptive/; http://www.washington.edu/doit/UA/PRESENT/libres.html#L5).

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Assistive technology is relevant for disabilities which have a range of physical and/or psychological origins.

* PHYSICAL * PSYCHOLOGICAL/MENTAL

- visual - learning disability

- aural

- mobility/motor

- oral

(http://www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/Strategies/Academic/Adaptive/)

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Technology for Visual Challenges

1. Large Print Software/Equipment

2. Scanners

3. Computerized Note Takers

4. Braille Displays/Printers

5. Optical Character Recognition

6. Speech Output Software

7. Web Browsers for the Visually Impaired

Technology for Auditory Challenges

1. Sign Language Interpretive Devices and Services

2. Visual Signal Substitutes for Audible Alerts

3. Spelling and Grammar Software

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Technology for Orthopedic/Mobility Impairments

1. Voice Recognition Programs

2. Alternative Keyboard Operating Software/Equipment

3. Word Completion and Prediction Software

4. Ergonomic/Adjustable Equipment

5. Morse Code Input Devices

6. Tracking Software/Equipment

Technology for Cognitive/Mental Impairments

1. Noise Filtering/Protective Equipment

2. Multisensory Software

3. Speech Output/Input Programs

4. Grammar/Spelling/Word-Use Software

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(Slides 10-11):

SOURCES: http://www.compuaccess.com/ada_guide.htm; http://www.disaboom.com/vision-and-hearing-technology/assistive-technology-browsers-for-the-blind; http://www.washington.edu/doit/UA/PRESENT/scatxt.html

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Ability diversities and legal stipulations have made universal Web design an absolute necessity. Planning for diverse needs underlies the process which, according to the World Wide Web Consortium, should also consider:

organized, consistent page designs;

relevant, thoughtfully accessible graphic and audio features;

alternative content such as applets, databases, forms, or frames; and

context-sensitive, accessibility assuredness tools (http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Technology/universal.design.html).

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Assistive Technology in Academic Libraries [https://muse.jhu.edu/journals/portal_libraries_and_the_academy/v001/1.3green.html]

Assistive Technology in Public Libraries [http://www.hclib.org/extranet/AssistTech/AssistiveTechnology_files/frame.htm]

Assistive Technology in School Library Media Centers

[http://isc.sagepub.com/content/42/2/119.full.pdf]

Assistive Technology in Special Libraries

[http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?issn=0741-9058&volume=16&issue=9&articleid=1489488&show=html&view=printarticle&nolog=353037&PHPSESSID=em110dk59p3q2vh5hllncf4qk7]

Bookshare

[http://blog.bookshare.org/2010/09/17/what-does-bookshares-librarian-do/]

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The Center for Accessible Technology [http://www.cforat.org/]

National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials[http://aim.cast.org/learn/research/atresearch]

The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center [http://www.nectac.org/topics/atech/udl.asp]

Pacer Center (Champions for Children with Disabilities) [http://www.pacer.org/stc/]

Reading Rockets [http://www.readingrockets.org/article/33074/]

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Americans with Disabilities Act--Aiding the Physically Challenged Worker: Assistive Technology for Computers and Persons with Disabilities. Web. http://www.compuaccess.com/ada_guide.htm

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as Amended. Web. http://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm#12102

Beekman, George, and Ben Beekman. Digital Planet: Tomorrow's Technology and You. Boston: Prentice Hall, 2012. Print.

Disabled World Towards Tomorrow. Web. http://www.disabled-world.com/

Disaboom. Web. http://www.disaboom.com/

IDEA. Web. http://idea.ed.gov/

Stripling, Barbara K. Learning and Libraries in an Information Age: Principles and Practice. Englewood, Colo: Libraries Unlimited, 1999. Print.

The Rehabilitation Act. Web. www.ed.gov

University of Washington. Web. www.washington.edu

Youtube. Web. www.youtube.com

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Thank you for your attention!

Do you have any questions, concerns, or comments?

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