Assistive Technology & Accessible School Libraries: A Great Combo

LSSL 5396 Computer Science Applications to Librarianship

What Is the Law Concerning Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology in the School Library

Legislation You Should Know Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Reasonable accommodation is to be made to individuals with a disability including: Public facility access expanded and broadened

Assistive Technology Act of 1998 Provides state funding for school educational programs for

access to students with special needs in schools and the workplace.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Formerly PL 94-142 Provides for a free and appropriate public education in the

least restrictive environment appropriate to an individual’s needs

Provides for universal design of physical and technological components of learning

Computer Accessibility in the Library Wheelchair access:

Aisle space between shelves and computers desks

Wheelchair height computer terminals

Materials stored on shelves that students are able to reach without asking for assistance from library staff or others

What kinds of Assistive Technology Might I Want to Use?

Assistive Technology in the School Library

Computer Software as Assistive Tech Coupled with audio or

synthesizers supports: visually impaired learners ELLs RTI fluency and

comprehension auditory learners

Kurzweil Educational Systems provides a text reader that works with MS Windows and many library systems. (Follow link above for more information.)RTI = Response to Intervention; ELL = English Language Learners

Computer Hardware as Assistive Tech Keyboards

Large print Touch-pad One-handed

Trackballs instead of mouse

Magnifiers Braille display Wireless audio

connections

Signage as Assistive Technology Strategically marked

and placed for: Entrances & Exits Circulation desk Restrooms Computers Print materials and

sections Stairs or elevators

What Does My Professional Association Say About Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology in the School Library

ALA Recommendations for Assistive Tech Meeting a diverse set

of needs is important Color computer

monitors Sound cards Text alternatives to

speech & more (follow link

above and below) Texas Center for Disa

bility Studies

What About When Working with Individual Students?

Assistive Technology in the School Library

Individual Education Plan (IEP) Process Working with the IEP Team:

Act as a consultant with regard to basic strategies for individual problems

Provide resource information by compiling a list of sources on a particular physical or emotional limitation

Collaborate with teacher(s) on learning objectives and goals for special needs student

Share expertise of knowledge on technologies available and acquisition of learning and information skills of special needs students

How Do I Keep Up with What Is Current in Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology in the School Library

Keeping Current Read professional publications that report on

topics related to assistive technology. Collaborate with the Special Education

department on your campus and in your district.

Participate in individual student IEPs when you may offer valuable input. Ideally, you would attend each one where the

library may provide services. However, it is understood that your input may come prior to the meeting due to scheduling responsibilities.

Stay informed.

Now I Know How to Use Assistive Technology in the

School Library.What’s next?

Make the School Library Accessible! Barriers exist to print for

those who have visual and print disabilities.

The 1996 Chafee Amendment allows the translation of non-dramatic printed works into an accessible format.

This includes people with dyslexia or who are learning disabled in reading.

Refer to the IEP or 504 Learning Plan If a student has a

qualifying disability, they are able to have access to Braille Digital text Audio versions of

books The school library

may already have invested in these materials through databases or other purchases.

Library Services for Blind and Physically Disabled

For information about the Talking Book Program for Texas go to: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/tbp/

Talking Books in the Classroom: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/tbp/schoolguide.html

National Library Service (Library of Congress): http://www.loc.gov/nls/

What If the Library Doesn’t Have Them? Bookshare (

http://www.bookshare.org/) has books and periodicals for readers with disabilities and is free for students who qualify.

Check for funding that might be available through the Dept. of Education under the Chafee Amendment.

ReferencesBrazier, H. (2007). The role and activities of the IFLA libraries for the blind

section. Library Trends, 55(4), 864-878.Cylke, F., Moodie, M. M., & Fistick, R. E. (2007). Serving the blind and

physically handicapped in the United States of America. Library Trends, 55(4), 796-808.

Davies, J. E. (2007). An overview of international research into the library and information needs of visually impaired people. Library Trends, 55(4), 785-795.

GREEN, R. A. (2009). Empowering library patrons with learning disabilities. Journal of Access Services, 6(1/2), 59-71. doi:10.1080/15367960802247817

Harris, C. (2011). Are you accessible?. School Library Journal, 57(2), 13.Hopkins, J. (2004). School library accessibility: The role of assistive

technology. Teacher Librarian, 31(3), 15-18.Hopkins, J. (2006). Assistive technology: 10 things to know. Library Media

Connection, 25(1), 12-14. Sunrich, M., & Green, R. (2006). Assistive technologies for library patrons

with visual disabilities. Journal of Access Services, 4(1/2), 29.