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Assistive Technology for a Community College Library The South Suburban College's library strives to provide access to information for all citizens, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, age, or economic status. To fulfill its mandate to ensure equal educational opportunity to students with disabilities, one of the objectives of the college is to provide the same level of library services to the visually impaired, learning disabled, and wheelchair-bound students as provided to all other library patrons. The South Suburban College library recognizes its obligations to serve the public. No other library in the district boundaries provided assistive technology for its visually impaired citizens and the wheelchair-bound patrons. The main objective of the grant initiative, which was funded by the Illinois State Library/Office of the Secretary of State, is to make assistive technology available to the students who are enrolled in courses at the South Suburban College as well as to the members of the college's district community. The Library Services and Technology Act project purchased assistive technology computers for the visually impaired patrons and patrons with learning disabilities. The college selected the Kurzweil reading machines, which are widely used for this purpose in libraries both nationally and internationally. Acquisition of this technology has made the South Suburban College library an unduplicated regional library resource for the visually impaired and wheel-chair-bound people. It has enabled the college to provide regional leadership in furnishing information access to citizens who, because of their disabilities are unable to read books, use the card catalog, consult the CD-ROM collection, and browse the Internet in the customary way. Similarly, the purchase of the wheel-chair-bound patrons to now use these computers with ease. The South Suburban College is in the middle of several major projects designed to introduce technology across the curriculum at both its South Holland and Oak Forest campuses. The acquisition of instructional technology made it imperative for the library to keep pace with the college-wide technology initiatives. It was, therefore, appropriate that the library acquire assistive technology to improve the delivery of services to the visually-impaired, learning disabled, and wheel-chair-bound students and fulfill its commitment of serving these individuals as it does to the other patrons. One of the objectives of the project is to assist a significant number of elderly people, many with vision problems, who could not conduct their own computer searches on either the Internet or indulge in the pleasures of reading. By placing comparable hardware and software in the library, we can now be confident that most of our elderly patrons will use this technology to derive the benefits of literature searching on the Library Network and on the Internet. The large number of persons with disability in the student body is also benefiting from the placement of comparable hardware and software in the library that matches their education and intelligence. Using the new technology in the library will act to reinforce a student's training in the use of the library card catalog, CD-ROMs and Internet. Selection and Procurement of furniture and equipment: Selection of the equipment was based on several factors. While the librarians intended to purchase computers that would be technically sophisticated, an important factor that was considered before ordering the equipment was the ease of use of this technology. Selection also was based on the college commitment to provide computer access to the disabled students in par with all other students. The selection and procurement of all the equipment and furniture requested in the grant was accomplished during the first phase of the grant. The furniture was purchased from Virco Manufacture Corporation. Two wheelchair-accessible computer tables were set up that * Sangeeta Kumar, Reference/Instructional Librarian, Learning Resources Center, South Suburban College, South Holland. 88 had three keyboard trays attached. The library also purchased two wire management panels, two columns and two shelves to complete the workstation. The computer equipment and the pertinent software were purchased form HumanWare Inc. The technical specifications of the technology that was configured and purchased for the assistive technology are: • Pentium 233 MHz processor The 233 MHz Pentium computers are the recommended computers for the software used for the assistive technology purchased by the college. The computers have a 4.3 GB hard drive to accommodate the software and enough space for users' files. ViewSonic G810 high-performance color monitors were selected and purchased because they allowed the users to make adjustments to the screen itself. Along with the basic adjustments of contrast, brightness, size and position, these monitors are capable of adjusting horizontal and vertical size and position. In the geometry mode the straightness of vertical edges, barrel balance distortion and evenness between top and bottom and horizontal lines can be adjusted allowing visually-impaired patrons greater flexibility. The ViewMatch Color adjustments allow the user's preferred color to be viewed along with levels of individual color intensity. Through the grant, the college library selected and purchased two complete turnkey systems manufactured by Kurzweil Educational Systems, the Omni 1000 and the Omni 3000. These also are known as the Kurzweil reading machines. Both of these softwares are optimized to work with Windows 95 and are widely used both nationally and internationally, a factor that led to the library's decision to consider purchasing these machines. There were a number of features in these softwares that matched or exceeded our needs. Omni 1000 converts the printed word into speech for people who are blind or visually impaired. It has optical character recognition and synthetic speech. It is user friendly, responds to voice or keypad commands. It can speak or spell words, define unfamiliar words, and adjust speaking volume, voice, and speed. Several use interfaces can be utilized, making the program adaptable to the needs of the user. Interfaces are keypad commands, menu bars, shortcut keys, mnemonics and voice commands. One interface can be chosen or mixed at the discretion of the user. In these machines, keypad commands work on several levels allowing the user access to controlling reading, using file manager, or to set the settings to all by the touch pad. In using the reading layer, the user can change the volume, speed, and reading voice of the output. In the file manager mode, a student can create and delete folders for Kurzweil 1000 documents and move between folders at will. The setting keypad allows for changing some of the environmental characteristics of the Kurzweil 1000, including display size and color of type and background. A user can also change the system voice at this level along with scanning options. In these machines, voice commands are available for use with a system microphone. The Kurzweil 1000 recognizes voice commands for many of the tasks performed most often. The ability to scan any document, to have it read by the system is invaluable. Scanning may be done one page at a time, or two paged documents, such as a paperback book can be scanned. Scanning repeatedly will scan every 30 seconds or so to accommodate documents with multiple pages. The Omni 3000 is an advanced reading system for students and adults with learning and reading disabilities. It is designed to assist students and adults with learning and reading disabilities such as dyslexia. It can also be used by the visually impaired. This system scans the material and, unlike Omni 1000, preserves the graphic image on the screen, retaining the original look and feel of the original document. It speaks aloud the on-screen text. The work being spoken is visually highlighted. Since the system contains a dictionary with synonyms, syllabication, and letter-by-letter spelling, this software can define words, spell the words out, and pronounce the syllable. One can adjust speaking volume, voice, and speed. 89 Selection and acquisition of the Zoom-Text software was made because the software has a screen magnification program, which is beneficial for patrons with low vision and learning disabilities. The Zoom-Text software that is a screen magnification program, designed specifically to meet the needs of visually impaired, has a window in the lower right corner of the screen, outlined by a thick black frame. The Zoom window is an Overlay window, which lies on top of the normal screen. The Overlay window displays 2x magnification and tracks all types of screen activities. The Zoom window can magnify any portion of the normal screen. Zoom window displays a magnified view of the computer screen. Only a portion of the normal screen is displayed in a Zoom window; however, any area of the screen can be viewed within it. A primary and secondary Zoom window can be displayed along with each window having its own magnification, tracking, alignment and color settings. This feature is helpful for particular tasks, such as monitoring a status line or performing text entry. It is flexible enough to be sized and moved to any portion of the screen. This software also allows a screen to be split vertically or horizontally as needed. Users can also select zones for magnification. A locator, or cursor, blinking or not, can be personalized by selecting several different shapes. Colors and background shading can be custom selected to help the visually impaired user. The software, JAWS 3.2 for windows, was selected and procured because it is a windows screen reader, which has capabilities of reformatting complex Web pages, and can list hyperlinks alphabetically in an easy-to-use list box. The Jaws software includes its own speech synthesizer. This package will allow Internet access for visually challenged students. Jaws also supports Outlook Express, along with Internet Explorer 4.01. Screen reading techniques allow the user to reformat the page, bringing up links and e-mail addresses using alphabetical lists. The program also allows the user to view the tool bar in a list box. Jaws 3.2 allows the unique capability of typing the first letter of the item listed that will locate and select the icon. Pressing enter stimulates the point and click maneuvers without having to navigate the mouse pointer or use the label graphics. This software is an excellent tool for the visually impaired and for patrons with learning disabilities. In addition to the equipment received through the grant, the South Suburban College provided a power pole, phone lines, Internet cards, service provider, connection to the electronic library, additional wiring, connection to the Internet, and a laser printer for complete implementation of the technology. Installation: The South Suburban College provided installation for all the purchased furniture and all the all the computer hardware and software with the assistance of the Physical Plant Office staff and the technical staff from computer laboratory. Networking: The college installed network cards on the computers acquired through this grant to allow users of the assistive technology to access the South Suburban College library's Online Card Catalog, the Government Documents collection, and various CD-ROM sources available to all other library users. The workstations are also connected to the library's network. The Omni 1000 and Omni 3000 are equipped with an Internet connection and coordinated through a hot key configuration to the Arkenstone System in South Suburban College's Academic Assistance Center. Those individuals familiar with the Arkenstone software, either because they learned it at the College's Academic Assistance Center or elsewhere, can call up the Arkenstone interface with the hot key configuration. Staff Training: Two days/four tiers of training was provided by a specialist in adaptive technology, Mr. Dominic Gaglino, regional manager of Humanware Inc., the company through which all the equipment was procured. Mr. Gagliano gave a thorough training for all of the five librarians and other full-time library staff, including full-time and part-time student workers. The training was completed in the following manner: On the first half of the first day, the library staff comprising the reference librarians, the circulation staff, and student workers were trained. On the second half of the first day, all other in-house staff, including the Special Needs counselor, coordinators of the Office of Disabled Student services and Academic Assistance Center, faculty and other persons interested in learning the technology were trained. On the second day, at the open house, the public librarians and all other visitors to the library were trained in using the technology. The college librarians 90 who had been trained earlier got the opportunity to refresh their knowledge about the technology. Besides the college librarians, eight other library staff received the training. In addition, the other in-house staff who also received training included the coordinators of the Office of the Disabled Student Services, Academic Assistance Center, Special Needs counselor. Besides the faculty and library staff, students who would be the most likely candidates for its use also received training. Mr. Gagliano described detailed features of the various software programs. The most important software, JAWS, allows users to hear through headphones what is being read on the monitor screen. The JAWS software has to be accessed first before opening up any of the other programs. The reading programs, Kurzweil 1000 and Kurzweil 3000, allow articles to be scanned and read. A user can adjust the speed of reading the article and can opt for reading the article either by words, lines or sentences. A "dictionary key" explains the meanings of words that are being read, and the "spell key" spells out the words that need to be spelled out for the patrons. In addition, there is a "syllable key" that pronounces the words correctly for the users. Inauguration/Open House: Another accomplishment during the grant period was the inauguration of the assistive technology computers in an open house setting on Sept. 10, 1998. Dominic Gagliano, regional manager of Humanware Inc., was present throughout the day to provide training to all patrons, librarians, potential users, students, faculty members, and members of the community who attended the event. Mr. Gagliano also provided a refresher course for core librarians who were initially trained during the two-day training period. The advantages of the technology was explained to all visitors who attended the open house. Mr. Gagliano also addressed our concerns about the ease of use of the technology by assuring that most students and faculty will have the necessary computer skills at the end of the training session to use the new hardware and software without difficulty. The large number of attendees totaling 89 people included the administrative staff of the college, faculty members, the counselors, coordinator of the Office of Disabled Students and Special Needs counselor, the library staff, students from the academic center, librarians from the nearby public libraries, and an administrator from the Senior Citizens Rehabilitation Center in Oak Forest. A rigorous campaign was conducted by the marketing department of the college to alert the community about the availability of this assistive technology. A newspaper release was sent to the South Holland local newspaper. The advertisement announced the technology that the college had purchased and also invited the public to attend the open house. Similar posters were distributed to all libraries in the Suburban Library System. The announcements for the open house were displayed throughout the college campus. Beneficiaries: More than 50 students have benefited from the technology since its implementation in September. Based on the comments received at the open house and from the users of this technology, the patrons like the large screen Viewsonic monitors. The students also liked the computer machines and the softwares. The patrons who have visited the library for using this technology range from those with low-vision and visual impairments, to those who are totally blind. Some visitors who have also used the technology are those with learning disabilities. Users with limited vision have also visited the library to conduct their own library card catalog searches, CD-ROM and government document collections searches. Evaluation and Observation: The library staff has maintained a count of the number of users of this technology. The library staff also enters their observations about its use in a notebook prepared specially for assessing the product usage. The library has designed two forms for evaluation of the program. One form, which users are requested to complete is an evaluation form designed with the intention to evaluate the effectiveness of the technology. It contains questions based on the different aspects of the technology and ease of use. The second form is the observation form, which the patrons fill out. This form includes the name of the person entering his/her observations and the date, and allows users to comment on the features, ease of use of the technology, and any other comment they may want to provide. By placing the assistive technology computers in the library, we assured that all students with disabilities would get equal access to the wealth of resources available in the library for them to use. The deficiency of being unable to use the various technologies to acquire information from the Internet and other prevalent sources has since been corrected. 91 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS The goals and objectives of the project were to provide the same level of online literature search opportunities to the visually impaired, learning disabled, and wheelchair-bound students as provided to all other library patrons. The library accomplished these objectives by purchasing appropriate assistive technology computers, softwares and furniture most suitable to meet the needs of the project. This equipment and furniture helped the library provide and expand services to the visually impaired and wheelchair-bound patrons. The project not only benefits students with disabilities but also a cross section of the citizenry of our district with these disabilities. The technology allows visually impaired patrons to read books, use the library's online card catalog with ease, consult the CD-ROM sources, and browse the Internet. These sources have been virtually unavailable to this group of our patrons in the past. With these new additions, the college library has become the sole library source for the visually impaired. An important aspect for the program had been the need to arrange for training for the library staff. This was accomplished with two days of training for the library staff, faculty, and other visitors to the library by Mr. Dominic Gagliano of Humanware Inc. Another accomplishment was to announce the acquisition of the new technology by the library. The marketing department of the college engaged in extensive advertisements in the community and accomplished the task of being able to broadcast the availability of the new technology. The assistive technology was inaugurated in and open house. More than 100 people have benefited from this technology since the day of the open house. Two different forms-observation form and evaluation form-were prepared and were completed by the users. An analysis of these forms indicates that the technology is very well perceived by the patrons. CHANGES IN PROGRAM DIRECTION The amount request in the grant toward the purchase of furniture was $700. However, the total amount spent on the furniture was $822, giving a deficit of $122. It was decided that this deficit would be compensated by allotting the money to purchase a reconditioned scanner. HumanWare Inc. Regional Manager Dominic Gagliano informed us that a reconditioned scanner was no longer available. This amount was then adjusted within the college, and no additional funds were requested or received from the grant. PROJECT'S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES Strengths: Equipment: The assistive technology computers are state-of-art equipment. Most patrons find that the technology is user friendly and that using these computers do not require extensive prior computer knowledge. Most users are able to operate the programs independently and with minimal assistance after first initial demonstration. Accessing key menus are straightforward. Speech and sound are clear and audible. The lettering and graphics are clear and legible. The program instructions are simple, clear, and understandable Patrons found the program to be responsive to their needs and enhanced their ability to see more clearly. Trained Staff for Assistance: All the staff received in-depth training in using the equipment. Because several persons in the library were trained in the usage of the equipment, the library always has a backup of staff to assist patrons at all times. In addition, the staff of the Office of Disabled Students Services as well as the Special Needs counselor, who also received training to use these computers, makes sure that the needs of the students are met appropriately. The computer laboratory at the college provides support staff at all times to address the technical problems that may arise. Workspace The South Suburban College library has provided workstations for the assistive technology in the first floor in the library, which gives the users greater accessibility to the equipment. Also, the circular shape of the workstation makes the space accessible to any individual using a wheelchair. Having the workstation placed in the center of the room allows maneuvering space unobstructed by walls and partitions. The placement of the workstation also makes it possible for an assistant to be seated with the student with ease. Our accommodations for the assistive technology computers help us to ensure that all sources and formats of information are available to persons with disabilities. In this way, the library 92 made sure that space for the workstations had been set in an area with easier wheelchair accessibility. Weaknesses: At present, the library staff is offering basic and intermediary levels of assistance. The software is capable of providing all kinds of other usages that need to be explored. However, the staff is learning the advanced features of the program. ANALYSIS OF HOW THE GOALS OF THE STATE LIBRARY'S LONG RANGE PLAN WERE MET BY THE PROJECT To meet the challenges of the information technology age, this proposal addressed the Library Service and Technology Act goal 2, "ensure that Illinois libraries have access to all sources and formats of information," particularly as this goal applied to the visually-impaired, learning disabled, and wheelchair-bound persons. To fulfill this goal and the South Suburban College's mandate to ensure equal educational opportunities to students with disabilities, the acquisitions of this technology was imperative. Prompted to address this need, the project director began her research. She met with key persons who are responsible for facilitating the education of special needs student at the South Suburban College, spoke to the staff of the Chicago Rehabilitation Institute, conferred with librarian colleagues at the college and at the other community colleges and literature on disabilities. A committee to study this issue was formulated. Not wishing to acquire equipment that would be difficult to learn and use, the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign's library was contacted for advice. A visually-impaired student was invited to tell his views on what type of technology should be purchased. In addition, the project director surveyed several public libraries to see if any assistive technology was already available. Based on the results and by listening to the advice from student users, the college was encouraged not to be deterred from selecting technologically sophisticated devices. The technology purchased through this grant is widely used in librarians nationally and internationally. The technical specifications for the equipment-Omni 1000: Reading/Internet System for the Blind (print access system) and Omni 3000: Reading/Internet System for the Learning Disabled and the Visually Impaired (print access system) are mentioned earlier. These assistive technology computers have enabled users with limited vision to conduct their own library card catalog searches, as well as use the CD-ROM and Government Documents collection. The users have also conducted online literature searches on the Internet and the Library Network. The library arranged to get the Internet connection for these computers and complied by the goal that states the provision to access information using methods such as the Internet. Through the library network, the college arranged for access to materials such as the encyclopedias, atlases, dictionaries, magazines and newspaper indexes. A second objective that fulfilled the goals of the Illinois State Library was to ensure that the assistive technology was made available to members of the community not necessarily enrolled in courses offered at the college. Some of the patrons who have already visited the library to use this technology are visually-impaired citizens who do not belong to the student body at the college. This has made the South Suburban College's Library an unduplicated regional leader among the libraries that provide resource for persons with disabilities. We recognized that no matter how much desirable the acquisition of the assistive technology may be, it is of no value without appropriate training for the library staff and the users. Similarly, without publicity to inform potential users that the assistive technology is available to use, the technology may not be used. To address these concerns, the college library introduced the new equipment to the college community and to the public at large through a vigorous campaign that combined both advertising and training. Training was provided to all the library staff, faculty and college staff who work in close association with the students with disabilities. At present, the Office of the Disabled Student Services engages in constant publicity to promote the usage of the technology. Any potential use visiting the library is assisted by the librarians to receive training on how to use these computers. The college is confident that the publicity would encourage continued usage of the technology by potentially patrons. 93 |
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