New Jersey State Library

Computers in Libraries, June 1999 issue contains articles on adaptive technology equipment and software for libraries, online resources for adaptive information technologies and implementation of an adaptive technology project for public library patrons with visual impairments.

Kent Oliver, "The Spirit of the Law: When ADA Compliance Means Overall Excellence in Service to Patrons with Disabilities," Public Libraries, October, 1997: 294-298.

Carol Casey, "Accessibility in the Virtual Library: Creating Equal Opportunity Web Sites," Information Technology and Libraries, March, 1999: 22-25.

ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

National Federation of the Blind Computer Resource List, March 1999 contains descriptions of equipment and software for the blind and visually impaired which includes vendor addresses and prices.

American Foundation for the Blind's Information on Technology web site provides fact sheets on close circuit television systems, magnification programs for computer screens, optical character recognition systems, synthetic speech systems and product evaluations of speech access programs for Windows 95 and Windows Screen Readers.

Adaptive Computer Products contains links to guides to adaptive technology and assistive devices, vendors, assistive technology programs, sources of funding, books on the topic, etc. for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf and who have physical handicaps.

ABLEDATA database contains more than 20,000 commercially available rehabilitation products from more than 2,500 companies for persons who are blind, deaf, visually handicapped. Site provides articles on disability issues, information on new adaptive technology products, consumer guides, manufacturer directory. Site contains an excellent PDF file "Informed Consumer Guide on Assistive Technology for People with Hearing Disabilities, February 1999".

Gallaudet University's Technology Assessment Program (TAP) is a research group focusing on technologies and services that eliminate communication barriers traditionally faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Site contains links to related information: TTY's, captioning, speech recognition, etc.

Closing The Gap: Computer Technology in Special Education and Rehabilitation contains a resource directory of over 2,000 adaptive technology and assistive devices, full-text of the newspaper, full-text articles, calendar of workshops and conferences and chat discussions.

TECHConnection is a program of Family Resource Associates (FRA), a non-profit organization, located in central New Jersey which provides assistive technology solutions to children and adults with disabilities, agencies servicing individuals with disabilities, employers, etc. A computer center provides adapted devices and software, workshops and training, computer classes and technology evaluations. Located in Shrewsbury, N.J.

IBM Home Page Reader web browser for Windows includes a voice synthesizer.

BLIND AND LOW VISION

New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped Organizations and Resources for the Visually Impaired is a directory listing or organizations with contact information, web links and descriptions of their services.

New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped Internet Links, Services for People with Handicaps provides links to job hotlines, support groups, radio reading services, assistive devices and computers.

New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped application for service. Librarians may certify that patrons have vision impairments that qualify them for direct service from LBH.

DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING

ABLEDATA Informed Consumer Guide on Assistive Technology for People with Hearing Disabilities, February 1999 contains information on ADA, assistive technology and devices, resources and recommended reading, organizations, and a directory of manufacturers.

ASL Access, a non profit organization, helps libraries raise funds for the purchase of the ASL Video Shelf, a set of 150 recommended ASL resources with guidebooks. These videos are presented in American Sign Language (ASL) and cover the teaching of sign language, deaf history, classic literature, story telling, etc. The website contains reviews of ASL video resources and a list of places where ASL videos can be purchased.

National Deaf Education Center , "Directory of National Organizations of and for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People" contains links for national and nonprofit organizations that provide services and information on deaf and hard of hearing people and/or specific professional or consumer areas of interest.

Deafness and Hard of Hearing Resources web site provides an extensive list of links for information on deaf and hard-of-hearing issues, organizations, American Sign Language, adaptive technology and assistive devices, education, support groups.

LEARNING DISABILITIES

Roads to Learning: The Public Libraries' Learning Disability Initiative. This American Library Association website provides information on learning disabilities, links to organizations, resources, training and conferences, listservs and maintains a listserv for librarians.

LIBRARY SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

EASI: Equal Access to Software and Information contains a section on Libraries Without Walls with links to full-text articles on library services to persons with disabilities. EASI has developed online workshops on adaptive technology and has links to legislation, adaptive technology, designing accessible web pages which can be accessed from

DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology) produces free and low cost educational publications and videos that help librarians and educators learn about issues related to people with disabilities and computer technology. The site provides guidelines for accessible web design and links to adaptive technology and other disability related issues.

Access to Library Internet Services for Patrons with Disabilities: Pragmatic Considerations for Developers is a full-text article on the EASI website.

Example of a Disability Services Policy developed by the University of Kentucky Libraries is also useful for public libraries.

SENSITIVITY TRAINING

Enhancing Library Services for Patrons with Disabilities Through Staff Sensitivity Training & Specialized Bibliographic Instruction is a full-text article available on the EASI website.

Library Video Network produces and sells library training and information videos including And Access for All: ADA and Your Library and People First: Serving and Employing People With Disabilities.

Microsoft Accessibility web page has a link for a free documentary video on "people with disabilities and how they use technology in their lives" which libraries can request.

Program Development Associates sells a video entitled The Ten Commandments of Communicating With People With Disabilities and other videos on disability awareness.

Fanlight Products sells disabilities videos covering ADA/accessibility, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, disabilities & parenting, speech/hearing/vision loss, physical disabilities, etc.

VOLUNTEERS

The American Foundation for the Blind maintains the Careers Technology Information Bank (CTIB), a network of individuals who are blind, from all 50 states, who use assistive technology at home, at work, or at school and are able and willing to serve as mentors to others. The AFB Information Center can be reached at 1-800-232-5463. http://www.afb.org/facts.html

Associated Services for the Blind serves Philadelphia and South Jersey areas and beyond. The ASB's Speakers Bureau can provide a speaker on use of technology, ASB services, career options and other blind and visually impaired related topics. Call (215) 627-0600 ext. 3239. http://www.eticomm.net/~asb/.

NOTE: Inclusion of vendors or products in this publication is for information purposes only. Inclusion does not imply an endorsement by the New Jersey State Library or the New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped.

Last updated: June 10, 2004
Comments to: Webmaster@njstatelib.org