Library Technology for People with Disabilities

1. Library Technology for People with Disabilities Holly Mabry Virtual Reference Librarian Chatstaff Thursday, May 22, 2014

2. Types of Disability • Vision • Hearing • Mobility • Cognitive http://accessibility.unc.edu/eligibility/types-disabilities

3. Library Services for People with Disabilities • In 2001, the American Library Association approved a policy for providing equal information access to patrons with disabilities • http://www.ala.org/ascla/asclaissues/libraryservices • These policies apply to facilities, collections, library school education, professional development, technology solutions and conferences.

4. Library Accessibility Tipsheets • The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a division of ALA, has a set of tip sheets to help libraries ensure that their facilities and services are fully accessible. • http://www.ala.org/ascla/asclaprotools/accessibilitytipsheets - Last updated in 2010

5. A little history… • In the not-too-distant past, people with disabilities relied heavily on special equipment or services to access information. Examples • Braille books • Large print books • CCTV • TTY • JAWS for Windows image credit: flickr

6. And then came the iPhone… image credit: flickr

7. What the Mobile Technology Means for Accessibility in Libraries • Built in screen reader – VoiceOver • Zoom and Color Contrast settings for easier reading • Platform offers a large collection of free or low cost accessibility apps. • E-book readers (Kindle, iBooks, PDF) • No more large, cumbersome equipment

8. iOS and Android Apps for People with Disabilities Image credit: flickr

9. MagLight • Compatible with iOS 6 or higher • Works on both iPhone and iPad • Includes a slider for font adjustment • Light and brightness settings • Great for reading small print books and call numbers

10. Magnifying Glass Flashlight for Android • MagLight alternative for Android phone users • Compatible with Android 3.1 or higher

11. See It - Video Magnifier • Compatible with iOS 5 and later • Works on both iPhone and iPad • Includes font zoom slider • Invert color option • Includes different color settings

12. See It - Color and Invert Settings

13. Caption Apps for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing There are a couple of options for real time captioned phone calls. These are available on all major smartphone and tablet platforms, as well as for Mac and PC. • Hamilton CapTel • Clear Captions

14. American Sign Language • ASL Dictionary – available both in iOS and Android • Great for learning basic signs • Includes over 4800 signed words http://www.healthyhearing.com/content/articles/Technology/Wireless/47829-The-best-apps-for-learning-sign-language

15. Dictation – Speech to Text • Some people with mobility or cognitive impairments that prevent them from being able to type, use diction software. • Siri – has some work to do with accuracy, but is a dictation option • Dragon Dictation – a free app for iPhone and iPad • Dragon Mobile Assistant – Android equivalent http://www.nuance.com/for-business/by-solution/mobile-application/index.htm

16. Library Outreach • Libraries can use their website and other technologies such as social media, virtual reference and e-books to reach out to patrons who cannot get to a physical library location. • Patrons are free to use technology they’re most comfortable with.

17. Library Website Accessibility • Can users get the information they need on your website? • Good color contrast • Keyboard-only navigation • Alternate text for images • Easy-to-read, plain language • Clearly defined headings • Captions and transcripts for videos • Minimize carousels and other animations http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/

18. Website Accessibility cont. Guidelines • Association of Research Libraries Web Accessibility Toolkit (http://accessibility.arl.org/) • Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 guidelines Tools • Color Contrast Analyzer tool • WAVE Web Accessibility Tool • Described and Transcribed Media Program (http://dcmp.org/) “Web accessibility means creating digital resources on the web that everyone can use.”  http://accessibility.arl.org/standards-best-practices/

19. Caption and Transcripts • Captions • YouTube: very basic captions • Adobe Captivate • Transcripts • Volunteers • Student workers • Outsource – Rev http://www.rev.com/transcription

20. Content Management Systems • WordPress – big push for accessible themes and plugins • http://codex.wordpress.org/Accessibility • WordPress Accessibility plug in • LibGuides • Be careful to not go crazy with the tabs • Use good color contrast • Standardized layout • New version coming soon that has a more “website look-and-feel”

21. Twitter • Good tool for the deaf and hard of hearing to follow conferences and events. • Use hashtags • Twitter accessible alternative for the blind: EasyChirphttp://www.easychirp.com/

22. Virtual Reference • Communicate with a librarian via email, phone, or chat: • Many libraries in NC already staff their own chat service with LibraryH3lp software • NCknows provides statewide backup chat reference service, including overnight coverage. • Helps eliminate the “intimidation factor” when asking for help at a physical service desk http://ncknows.org/

23. E-Books and Audiobooks • E-books and audiobooks can be checked out and downloaded from home via a computer or from mobile devices. • OverDrive – NC Digital Library • E-Books on EBSCOHost • NC LIVE e-book and audiobook collection

24. E-Books and Audiobooks - Examples • In many cases, e-books rely on the accessibility settings available for the device they’re housed in. • E-ink Kindle has adjustable font sizes and offers a text-to-speech option • Kindle app for iPhone offers color contrast settings

25. Bookshare • Large accessible digital book repository: https://www.bookshare.org/. • Agreement with authors and publishers to create accessible book formats • Serves members with vision, mobility and learning disabilities • Provides audio and text formats • Free for students: both K-12 and higher education

26. Future trends • sAssistivetechnology is moving towards continued integration with mainstream technology devices. This brings people with disabilities on to a more level playing field when accessing information. • Future trends suggest that the technology will be there to facilitate creation of accessible technology by disabled users themselves.

27. Global Public Information Infrastructure (GPII) • Project currently in development to create customized cloud-based assistive technology. • Patrons can login on any electronic device to access a set of tools based on their own needs for whatever device their using. • Libraries can provide access to GPII and let the patrons use the technology and services that fit the disabled patron’s individual assistive technology needs. http://gpii.net/

28. 3D printing • 3D printing in relation to libraries is just starting to take off. • NCSU Hunt Library • UNCG Jackson Library • 3D printing has the potential to allow people with disabilities to design, create and modify objects to meet their own needs. • Think tactile educational materials, adding braille to objects, and more.

29. Resources • Slides and transcript of this presentation will be available on my blog: www.accesstechgeek.com. • Want to continue the conversation? Contact me at: • Email: hfmabry@gmail.com • Twitter: hfmabry

30. Questions?