Newsgroups: bit.listserv.pacs-l
Date:         Fri, 11 Dec 1992 13:27:35 CDT
From:         Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS@UHUPVM1.BITNET>
Subject:      ADA and Technology

3 Messages, 116 Lines
*-----
From: dsfs_jpm@lewis.umt.edu
Subject: RE: ADA and technology

The contact at the Recordings for the Blind E-Text
Research and Development is George Kerscher.  He
can be reached by telephone at (406) 728-7201.  I
don't have his mail addresses handy, but I believe
his E-mail address is RID_GWK@LEWIS.UMT.EDU.  He
may not check in on his E-mail very often, so a
phone call would be a better bet.  One may also
call RFB directly through their regular telephone
number, 800 221-4792.  Unlike the RFB tape library,
institutions can subscribe to E-Text from RFB.
There is an initial sign up fee and fees for each
book.  A complete catalog of existing E-text books
can be mailed to you.

Insofar as the relationship between the University
of Montana and RFB goes, we are now just beginning.
 RFB has an editing laboratory next to my office,
and my office supervises the editing of books for
RFB.  RFB is located off campus in downtown
Missoula.  My office prioritizes books that our
students need.  When we finish with immediate
demand, we edit RFB books.  Any book we edit goes
to RFB placement in their library.  By the way, my
office does scan materials, but we often have RFB
scan more difficult materials.  We do this purely
out of convenience.

One last thing that may be helpful is that George's
program originally started at UM.  As a graduate
computer science student who is blind, he found
very little accessible materials.  So he started
Computerized Books for the Blind.  CBFB was later
picked up by RFB.

Please feel free to ask anything else.  Hope this
helps.

Jim
*----
From: Barbara Bergquist <bberg@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: ADA and technology

Over the past few years, we here at The Evergreen State College Library
have been keeping in mind the ADA when purchasing/planning for the
Reference area in particular.  Two years ago, I put together a CD-Rom
station coupled with an enlarged monitor (20" TV screen) and added
ZoomText software in order to magnify the screen further to allow database
searching especially for those who have sight problems.  Since that time,
I have added our online catalog to that station as well.  The interesting
point about this is that I designed the station as a full use station for
all patrons, not only for special needs folks.  The screen can switch from
regular print to magnification with a key stroke and the station is
located along the same bank of online computers for regular use.  The
elongated table (20 feet) was designed to accommodate those in wheelchairs
as well as regular seating.  We also have another area of online catalogs
which are at standing height for those on crutches.  Bar type stools are
available for sitting for those who prefer.

When installing a library classroom type area in Reference over the past
summer, efforts were made for accommodation there as well.  Simple things
like the wand on the window blinds had to be elongated to allow for those
in wheelchairs access to handling them.  The pull string was extended
also.  Ease of access to the area was accomplished by having two wide
access corridors into the area.

This library also has a special needs study room which houses special
reading equipment which will enlarge print material for use by a few
patrons at a time.

Currently, I am looking into a device I read about which scans material
and projects it onto an enlarged monitor for possible placement near the
Reference Desk.

Sorry, my message is so lengthy but I wanted to share some of what we hope
is helping all our patrons,  and by not isolating these stations away from
the normal flow of activity others participate in.

Barbara Bergquist
The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA 98505

bberg@u.washington.edu
*------
From: Celia Carroll <ccarroll@netcon.smc.edu>
Subject: Re: ADA and technology
> New Mexico State is beginning to explore how to appropriate bring
adaptive
> technology into the library.  What are other libraries doing?  How have
you
> involved the user community in your decisions?  Thanks
>

I am excited by PC technology just previewed:
Telesensory
455 North Bernardo Ave.
Mountain View, CA 94043
Phone (415) 960-0920
Fax (415) 969-9064

Company produces three software packages for PC's -
    V Voice -- provides synthetic speech output of all text info
               which appears onscreen.  User controls speaking
               rate and volume as desired.
    V View  -- provides direct screen magnification of all text
               and graphics.  Three-button mouse allows user to
               to adjust magnification up to 16 times.
    and a refreshable Braille output system.

Celia Carroll, Automation Coordinator, Santa Monica Public Library
ccarroll@netcon.smc.edu
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU