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Perhaps you haven’t given much thought about the need for people with disabilities to use computers efficiently and effectively…but you should. Even if you are not among the 54 million people in the United States – more than 500 million people worldwide -- with a physical or cognitive disability today, you are certainly among the population that ages every day. We all are! Many disabilities such as vision or hearing loss are age-related, and while we are not born with them, we inherit them as we grow older.
One in three people has a close friend or family member with a disability of some sort. We all want what is best for our loved ones, and that includes easy access to the important information and resources in our lives. Computers are a way of life today, and their use enriches us with information, communication with others, and the simplification of everyday tasks like paying bills online and writing letters to friends.
At HP, we believe that accessibility is an important part of fulfilling our goal to connect people to the power of technology. The HP Accessibility Program has a long-standing commitment to ensuring that HP products, programs, services and information are accessible to persons with disabilities. As an extension to that mission, HP has taken a bold step in opening the way for people with disabilities through an innovative initiative called Library Technology Access (LTA).
In partnership with the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), HP devised LTA as a forward-thinking initiative with a charter to develop accessible computer workstations for libraries nationwide. These workstations address the needs of library patrons with visual, hearing, mobility, and learning disabilities. This full-service offering brings a new level of information accessibility to people with disabilities, connecting them with the benefits and opportunities of the information revolution.
"We are pleased to be working with Hewlett-Packard on this project because it fits well with ASCLA's ongoing efforts to create an accessible library environment for everyone," says ASCLA President Jerry Krois. He appointed three ASCLA members to work with Hewlett-Packard on the project: Marti Goddard, access services manager, San Francisco Public Library; Mimi McCain, special needs center supervisor, Phoenix Public Library; and Marilyn Irwin, director, Office of Dissemination, Indiana Institute on Disability/Community. “HP has really listened to the libraries in terms of what they need,” says Ms. Irwin. “They didn’t just ‘throw equipment’ at the problem. They learned what each library needed and customized the solution.”
“The Library Technology Access program demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships that increase the access to technology for persons with disabilities,” said Jim Weynand, vice president and general manager, HP Public Sector Organization. “Our technology, our people and our legacy give us a unique vantage point and capabilities to help ensure everyone can use technology as a means to learn, work and thrive.”
In October 2002, HP announced the selection of six libraries in the U.S. that would become part of the initial phase of LTA. The four public and two university libraries are:
As a key part of this initiative, HP provided 12 workstations to the six chosen libraries to demonstrate the solution and serve as a proof-of-concept for libraries nationwide. Each LTA workstation includes a Compaq EVO computer, Compaq LCD monitor, HP LaserJet printer, and HP Scanjet scanner. The PCs are preinstalled with the Microsoft Windows XP operating system, which incorporates a host of accessibility features such as enhanced keyboard control and text enlargement on the screen.
The workstations include a comprehensive selection of assistive hardware and software, and adjustable furniture components from Steelcase, Inc. Each station also has a locked lateral file for storage and security of the assistive technology equipment and manuals. In addition to the furniture and equipment, training materials via the Internet have been developed for librarians and patrons.
“The LTA initiative is meant to be a guide for other libraries around the world,” says Michael Takemura, director, HP Accessibility Program Office. “We wanted to build a reference platform and demonstrate its versatility for helping people with various types of disabilities. The success of the program at these six libraries shows that we have developed a good working model that can be easily replicated.”
Kathleen Olsen of the I CAN! Center at the San Diego Public Library concurs. “I really appreciate the complete ‘turn-key’ approach of this program,” she says. “They put good thought into what was really needed by my library and its patrons. HP didn’t stop at the equipment. The adjustable furniture and the staff training were very important elements that made this whole project so smooth for us.”
The HP workstations permit easy access to many library resources for patrons with disabilities. The software and hardware provided within the workstations, along with the many adjustable features of the workstations themselves, allow users to fully access library resources that they may not have been able to use in the past.
Jessicah Newton is a transitional graduate student working on an advanced degree in Psychology at the Arizona State University. In addition, she is a Graduate Teaching Assistant for a Psychology class, and, she is blind. She uses the Open Book software on the university’s new LTA workstation to "read" and grade 107 papers weekly. “This has been an exciting addition to our library, and, in my opinion, an important one,” says Ms. Newton. “This workstation has ended a long transitional period where resources were scattered and disconnected. For this I am personally grateful. I truly believe that without our new addition, my task, as a teaching assistant, would have been impossible. I can now excel to a place where I can be of service to others around me, instead of being the one who always needs the service. It is a wonderful place to be.”
The HP workstations are set up to accommodate many different types of disabilities. Software, assistive technology devices, and the setup of the workstations themselves aid persons with the following types of functional limitations, as well as other limitations, to access and enjoy both library and Internet resources:
- Blindness/low vision
- Deafness/hearing impairment
- Arthritis, one-handed use
- Spinal cord injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome or upper extremity repetitive stress disorder
- Tremors
- Learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities
- Back problems
One of the workstations is optimized to accommodate persons with low vision or blindness or who are hard-of-hearing or deaf. It includes a full screen reading software program that reads aloud both information that the user types in and information that is already provided on the computer monitor. The PC also has a screen magnification software program for persons with low vision, and reading software that works with a scanner to convert printed materials to be read aloud to the user. A special keyboard provides enlarged and bold printed keys to assist persons with low vision in finding the correct keys to press. Hearing problems are addressed with closed-captioning and visual cues of certain computer functions. Finally, a closed-circuit television (CCTV) provides increased magnification for printed material.
The second workstation provides computer access for persons with mobility problems or learning disabilities. Mobility issues are addressed with a variety of keyboards, touchpads, joysticks, trackballs and infrared technology for interacting with the PC. In addition, the work surface includes an adjustable desk and articulating keyboard platform, which create a usable work surface for differing wheelchair heights.
Learning or cognitive disabilities are addressed with software that can read aloud text on the screen, provide enhanced spell checking, predict words the user tries to type, and check homonyms to assist persons with writing composition difficulties. A reading comprehension program converts printed or digital material into text that is read aloud. It can be combined with highlighting features to aid in visual tracking for auditory learners and persons who have difficulty reading.
Patrons are encouraged to learn about the equipment and software programs through the use of online “webinars.” These concise training modules present auditory and visual instructions for the programs offered and review every aspect of the workstation components.
HP’s key partners in the implementation of this initiative are Steelcase Inc. Steelcase is the manufacturer and provider of the adjustable work surfaces, chairs and storage cabinets. TransAccess is a non-profit agency that specializes in creating opportunities for significant advances in universal access, social integration and employment for persons with disabilities. They have been instrumental in defining the requirements for the workstations and selecting the specific assistive technologies. TransAccess also provides the installation of the equipment, library staff training, and technical support. Before the LTA implementation phase, Steelcase and TransAccess worked together to test all the equipment with the adjustable furniture to make sure everything “fit” and worked well together.
The six libraries in the pilot program have had their accessible HP workstations since the first half of 2003. All are reporting great success with the rollout and implementation, as well as good usage from their patrons. Please read the libraries’ individual stories for a report on their progress. In addition, other libraries that might be considering the implementation of accessible technology modeled after the LTA reference platform should read the “best practices” advice from the directors at the six participating libraries. They share their valuable insight that will help to make other libraries’ experiences good ones.
For more information on how your library or community can implement accessible HP workstations to bring greater access and more enjoyment to people of all ability levels, please write to ability@hp.com.
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