

While urban areas offered the most adapted access to hardware and software, only 15.4 percent of those responding indicated that they have made access accommodations to their automated information systems.
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Public Libraries and the Internet," commissioned by the American Library Association (ALA), Office for Information Technology, found few libraries actually provide special software or hardware for persons with disabilities. Often forgotten in these plans, however, are accommodations for persons with disabilities who need to access information using adaptive technology.

It has become fashionable for libraries, like corporations, to develop mission statements or vision statements that will guide them in delivering state-of-the-art services to their patrons.įrequently a phrase such as "equal access to information through technology" is included in one or both statements. Department of Education Keynote address to Microsoft employees and experts on disabilities and technology, Redmond, Washington, February 19, 1998 Judith Heumann, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Inaccessible technology can make things absolutely impossible for disabled people, a prospect we must avoid." fact brings with it an enormous responsibility because the reverse is also true. "For people without disabilities, technology makes things convenient, whereas for people with disabilities, it makes things possible. Special Libraries with Adaptive Technology Programs Selected Vendors, Manufacturers, and Consultants Websites Helpful for Information on Accessibility Surfing the Internet with a "Different" BoardĬomputers Reading and Speaking-"Stand-Alone" Systems

The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) and WebAIM (web accessibility in mind) are the place to find out more in 2017.Īdaptive Technology for Hearing Impairments This document is from 2000 and most of the links to external resources no longer work after 17 years.
