Each of the 65 sites have a 20 inch monitor, 3 have the Oscar reading
package, magic screen enlargement is at 4 locations, and the JFW screen
access program will be at 5 locations.

More info at http://www.clpgh.org/clp/LBPH/access.html  and
http://www.clpgh.org/clp/LBPH/assist.html


         CLP/EIN ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

                MINUTES -- JUNE 29, 1998 MEETING

   The CLP/EIN Assistive Technology Advisory Committee met on June
29, 1998 at the Library Center, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Members present were:  Tony Evancic, Margaret Schmidt, Mark Senk,
Jim Vaglia, and Connie Woods.  Dave Vitula was an observer.
Electronic Information Network staff present were:  Elbie Yaworsky
and Bob Vey.  Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh staff present were:
Tracey Morsek and Sue Murdock.

   The meeting began with Elbie Yaworsky's status report on the
EIN.  Elbie described their concept of a "glass image" of software
for all patron and staff work stations.  The full complement of
software is loaded on all machines, even though all loaded software
may not be accessible for the machine's current use.  This
procedure allows the EIN to "reload" software easily if problems
occur, whether the software needs replacement or the hardware needs
to be switched and the malfunctioning hardware repaired.  As the
EIN upgrades sites to Windows for NT 4.0, it is using the "glass
image" software concept.

   Elbie discussed EIN efforts to upgrade their network.  He
described the network improvement as a "heartbeat replacement" of
tenfold.  Other improvements include the upgrade of all desktops to
the EIN's standard and the installation of anti-virus software on
all machines.  Elbie indicated that there are approximately 1,200
EIN work stations in Allegheny County;  about half of them are
staff work stations in the member libraries, and the other half are
public use work stations.

   In the area of assistive technology, Elbie described current EIN
grant applications to fund the next phase of assistive technology
implementation.  The EIN has applied for assistive technology
funding both through the Library Services and Technology Act and
Commonwealth Libraries' Penn/Connect project.  The approximate cost
for the next phase of EIN assistive technology is approximately
$140,000.

   We discussed JAWS and MAGic training issues.  So far, neither
EIN staff nor library staff where assistive technology is located
have been trained to use the software.  This makes assisting public
users very difficult.  In addition, the use of this software
requires some general computer skills on the part of the user.  We
did not determine the best way to proceed on this issue, and we are
continuing to pursue an answer.

   Prior to the meeting, a new version of JAWS (Jaws for Windows
NT, version 3.2) was announced by Henter-Joyce.  From the
descriptive materials, it seems that this new version will make
JAWS easier to use for the public.  An updated version of MAGic is
also available.  Elbie indicated that, unless there was Committee
objection, the EIN would obtain the JAWS and MAGic upgrades and
install them on the beta test computers which are currently running
JAWS and MAGic.  The Committee agreed, and Elbie indicated that he
would do this, assuming software availability, by mid-July.

   The Committee discussed browsers.  Right now the three JAWS
installations are using Internet Explorer.  Some users feel that
Internet Explorer presents problems when used with JAWS.  Elbie
indicated that, unless there is a conflict, the EIN will install
Netscape along with Internet Explorer on those machines.

   The Committee discussed the possibility of locating stand-alone
dialup machines running Windows 95 for patron access with speech
output.  They believed this is the best way to allow access via
lynx, the text-based browser.  Elbie indicated that, for network
security reasons, all EIN equipment dialup access for any use--
public or staff--is now through Windows NT only.

   We discussed Lynx-32, the current version of lynx.  Committee
members expressed interest in this, because it would give assistive
technology users access via a text-based browser.  Elbie saw Lynx-
32 as a feasible way of adding this mode of access, and agreed to
make it available, barring software conflicts, as an additional
browser for people who wish to use a text-based browser.  Thus
Library assistive technology users will be able to use Lynx-32 with
JAWS as the screen reader.

   Mark Senk expressed interest in Real Audio and its availability
for public use.  Elbie indicated that the EIN will work to make
Real Audio, version 5, available on public work stations which have
20-inch monitors.  Mark also asked about the functionality of the
printers, and the need for people with low vision to be able to
enlarge the print size for printing.  He said that at a previous
meeting Elbie mentioned that the EIN is replacing any remaining dot
matrix printers with laser printers, which will allow that
function.  Elbie confirmed that the EIN is replacing dot matrix
printers.  However, it is not clear that the ability to enlarge the
font size to print a document by changing the settings in the
preference boxes will continue to be available on EIN public work
stations.

   Mark Senk expressed concern that all staff at libraries housing
assistive technology are not aware of the assistive technology's
location and general use. When he attempted to use JAWS at one
location, it was not working.  He said that staff did not know
where assistive technology is located in the library.  We again
discussed staff shortages and training issues.  We agreed that we
will remind libraries where assistive technology is deployed to
review equipment locations and uses with public service staff.
Mark also mentioned that the EIN had been sending out regular
assistive technology updates, and then discontinued that practice.

   In summation, Elbie indicated that the EIN will be looking to a
new "glass image" for assistive technology desktops.  The image
will include the new version of Jaws for Windows NT, the new
version of MAGic, and three browsers--Internet Explorer, Netscape,
and Lynx-32.  Real Audio, with headphones, will be available on all
desktops with large monitors.  The EIN will work to improve
communications, and will send out updates when there is news about
funding and implementation of assistive technology, or when
assistive technology is down.

   The Committee did not set a date for the next meeting.  We will
schedule it based on developments (funding, installation of
upgraded software and new software).

Submitted by:

Sue Murdock
Agency Head
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped