When viewed demographically, people with disabilities have a very high unemployment rate. Many are unable to afford a home computer and connection to the Internet. Since many people with disabilities cannot afford their own Internet connections, it is very important for them to be able to access the Internet through public libraries. In spite of the legal requirements of the ADA and the written assurances of TIF grantees, libraries vary considerably in their adoption of accessible technology. Common types of technology found in libraries There are many types of technologies available to libraries for making information accessible to people with disabilities.
Technology makes things bigger.
Magnifying text and images to provide access to persons with low vision is a strategy that has been in use for centuries. Hand-held magnifying lenses and eyeglasses are obviously still much in use today. Newer magnification technologies are also commonly used today. Early CCTVs offered an enlarged black and white image of text or graphics placed beneath the camera. Current CCTVs are available with color cameras and color monitors making them much more functional for enlarging color maps and graphics.