Library Accesser's,

I am looking for some assistance in approaching a politically sensitive
issue.  I am an MLS student interested in issues of access for all
non-tradional library users.  I am currently the supervisor for a small NLS
library.  I am also completing a professional field experience (practicum)
at a local small public university, around 12,000 students.  My field
experience is working with the Library reference deparment to assess and
make recommendations about improving their overall accessiblity to students
with disabilities.

Here's the issues.
1.  They have a fairly easily accessible web site and at least two large
accessible databases, using JAWS for windows.
2.  They have approximately 300 students per semester that qualify for
services from their Disability Student Services dept.  1/2 of those are
students with no problem using the library.  Of the other half; about 140
of those students have reading and/or learning disabilities, 8 of those
have visual disabilities and 2 have orthopedic disabilities.
3.  A person from the systems department of the library wrote a grant for
an ADA compliant work station.  He recieved the grant and configured the
computer with voice recognition software. Because of space considerations,
there is no way in the near future that the computer can be placed in a
quiet room.  We are looking for a "quiet corner" on the floor.
4.  Academic computing has one computer with Kurweil 3000.  The computer is
located in a computer lab at the far end of the campus furthest from the
library.

Here's my problem
Although voice recognition software will help some Library users, it seems
to me that the library is in much greater need of screen reading software
and voice synthesis software.  I have dropped several hints that the
majority of students need assistance getting information "out of" not into
the computer.  I'm not sure how to approach the situation.  It seems that
the head of the Reference Department and the Head of Public Services want
to do specific outreach to a group of students historically underserved.  I
am afraid that with only voice recognition software people who need the
addional access tools will still not have them and the ADA compliant
computer will either be idle reinforcing the misconception that nobody is
using the ADA computer so why waste time energy etc.

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions for how to approach the issue
with a little more clarity and finesse.  I think I need to be clearer about
what the needs are but I need to be sensitive to the work of the systems
staff who got the computer.

Please send any suggestions to me individually.
Thanks



Julia Allegrini, Library Supervisor
Northern Kentucky Talking Book Library
502 Scott Boulevard
Covington KY41011
859-491-7610
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