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Kathleen Olsen, director of the I CAN! Center at the San Diego Public Library, almost didn’t apply to be part of the HP Library Technology Access (LTA) initiative. “We already had assistive technology in place at our library,” says Ms. Olsen. “We decided to apply for this grant because of the adjustable furniture and the training and support that was part of the overall package. I have to say, this approach was so much better than anything we had done before.”
The I CAN! Center provides assistance to allow persons with disabilities to use the same services as other library users. It offers large print books and magazines, a small collection of Braille and Braille/print books, resource guides, catalogs from various companies on assistive devices, and magazines and newsletters from disability organizations and associations. A large screen computer can access the library catalog. The two LTA workstations from HP are a nice complement to the other resources in the facility.
“HP has a well-thought-out turn-key approach to implementing assistive technology. They really thought about what was needed, and gave us the flexibility to select the exact tools and software that would work well for us,” says Ms. Olsen. “Everything - from the electrically adjustable tables, to the joysticks and keyboards, to the training and support from TransAccess - is well done.”
Ms. Olsen gets excited thinking about how the “little things” have made a difference in her patrons’ lives. She says the Steelcase adjustable tables have caused quite a stir among patrons because people can position them exactly how they need them. “People can work comfortably now,” she says.
Ms. Olsen tells about a woman with cerebral palsy who comes into the library on a regular basis. Because of the poor motor control in her hands, she has difficulty using a mouse or touchpad. The joystick device that attaches to one of the HP workstations is ideal for her. “It works just like the joystick on her wheelchair,” explains Ms. Olsen. “Because it feels familiar to her, the PC joystick has allowed her to double her productivity in working with the computer.” This patron also finds the large-key keyboard to be most useful.
There is a retired gentleman who comes to the I CAN! Center to use one of the HP workstations for Internet research. Because he has low vision, he prefers to use the large screen monitor and ZoomText screen magnification software to better see the results of his web searches. He uses the closed-circuit television, too. “His research is a passion for him,” according to Ms. Olsen. “He has cancer and is retired from his job. He publishes his research on his own web site, and this has given him an interest that keeps him active.” She adds that he is big in stature and the adjustable table and chairs are a blessing for him, allowing him to sit at the workstation for long periods of time without getting uncomfortable.
The two workstations, both Compaq Evo PCs, support a variety of configurations. For instance, Ms. Olsen says the one-handed keyboard is used by patrons with multiple sclerosis. The Madentec Tracker 2000 infrared pointing device is suitable for people with limited upper mobility or muscular difficulties. Having two HP LaserJet printers is wonderful, too, she says, so that people don’t need to share.
Getting the word out to the community about the new workstations wasn’t difficult for the I CAN! Center. The library has worked with disability outreach groups for years, so all it had to do was let these groups know about the availability of the new equipment. Ms. Olsen advises other libraries with new accessibility workstations to “network big time with all the organizations that can use it. Call them, and go meet with them face to face. Speak at their meetings; provide links to and from their web sites.” She says the people who most need the accessible workstations don’t get the news about them from the general media. Rather, it’s the special interest organizations that spread the word to their constituents.
TransAccess, the nonprofit agency that worked with HP to define the workstation configurations and then to install and support them, also provided training to the San Diego Public Library staff. “These people are great!” praises Ms. Olsen. “They know their business. They know the quality of the equipment they picked. They can discuss the equipment and why things were or were not chosen. They took into account our library setting, and helped us customize the workstations to meet our patrons’ needs. And then they trained us how to use everything.” For the ongoing benefit of the equipment users, HP provided online training that is self-paced.
It’s safe to say that patrons can now do more at the I CAN! Center since the new HP workstations were installed.
For more information about the I CAN! Center at the San Diego Public Library, visit http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/services/disability.shtml.
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