Can you image a library with weekly classes that teach people with physical challenges how to use the latest assistive technologies? Or that has useful specialty equipment that can be checked out to use at home? This is a personal dream of mine. Hopefully, one day it will be a reality at my local branch, if community members demand it of their public libraries. The video I've chosen to share provides a good overview of products that can be made available to those who need extra help with accessing services provided at the local library. It's a quick ten minutes with lots of ideas that would be worth discussing with your library director or branch managers.
I'm new to the world of assistive technology mainly because I've never had to think about it. I've never had to navigate a building in a wheelchair or wonder how I would use a computer because my vision was too poor to see the screen. Now, as I get older, I realize there may come a day when I do need help using my public library. The population of people over the age of 65 is expected to double by 2060! As we live longer lives, we will probably have to accept the health challenges that come along with it. Poor vision and hearing loss are just two situations that come to mind.
I would like to see library workshops, led by non-profit organizations that specialize in helping people with physical challenges live fuller lives. There are many new gadgets out there that most of us have never even heard of. By offering hands on training, guided by "native users" who understand the initial frustration and learning curve, trepidation can be overcome. Here are just a few of my local groups that might offer their expertise:
The Blind and Visually Impaired Center Of Monterey County focuses on helping people live independent lives through skills training, support services and responsive education. http://www.blindandlowvision.org
The Alliance on Aging offers many programs addressing age-related issues. Wellness lectures are held on specific topics that promote healthy aging. http://allianceonaging.org/
The Hearing Loss Association of America is a national organization with local chapters that provide support for those living with hearing loss, share information about the latest technologies, services, captioning and accessibility. The closest one to my area is in the Silicon Valley. http://www.hearinglossca.org/chapters/northern-chapters/silicon-valley-chapter
“Public libraries are learning centers for new technology,” says Adam Szczepaniak, New Jersey state deputy librarian and director of Talking Book and Braille center.
In the January 3, 2017 American Libraries Magazine article, Bringing Assistive Technology to Patrons, it's becoming apparent that public libraries are taking accessibility for the visually impaired to the next level. By creating partnerships with state agencies, public libraries are able to showcase specialized equipment and the training needed to use that equipment, all at no cost to the library or the patrons. Funding is available through grants or ear-marked state and federal monies. All that's needed is a desire to expand services to people living with disabilities, training of library staff and strong local advertising to promote the programs. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2017/01/03/bringing-assistive-technology-to-patrons/
All of this is great news to the "Silver Tsunami" of baby-boomers that will soon be retiring or at least cutting back on full-time employment. As I said before, we'll all be subject to age-related conditions like vision and hearing changes, if we live long enough. I'm just glad to know public libraries are making plans to help me get the most out of their services for as long as possible!
Works cited:
American Libraries Magazine. (2018). Bringing Assistive Technology to Patrons | American Libraries Magazine. [online] Available at: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2017/01/03/bringing-assistive-technology-to-patrons/ [Accessed 12 Apr. 2018].
Hearinglossca.org. (2018). Silicon Valley Chapter | Hearing Loss Association of America, California State Association, Inc. (HLAA-CA). [online] Available at: http://www.hearinglossca.org/chapters/northern-chapters/silicon-valley-chapter [Accessed 12 Apr. 2018].
Allianceonaging.org. (2018). Alliance on Aging. [online] Available at: http://allianceonaging.org/ [Accessed 12 Apr. 2018].
Blindandlowvision.org. (2018). Blind & Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County, Inc. (BVIC). [online] Available at: http://www.blindandlowvision.org/ [Accessed 12 Apr. 2018].
Hi Kelly! I just wanna say I really appreciate the video you included because it's so informative! I learned a lot from it, and I agree that while some of us don't think about physical disabilities until we're older, it is prudent to prepare for them now and familiarize ourselves with assistive technology as best we can :)
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