Below is a "plain vanilla" wokstation that we're suggesting that all libraries consider for all of their workstations. It's still a work in progress, and I share it with you in that spirit. I also invite input from other members of the list. Please, please!
Leah, it's clear that you're looking for some specifics. I also have a list with some current products and vendors, some of which you mention in your list. I'll be glad to send that along directly if you're interested. We're revising the Roads To Learning web site, and this information will all appear there as soon as we finish getting our act together.
Bravo for what you're doing!
Best,
Audrey
.....
Equity of Access: Accessible Technology for the Real World
Accessible Library Workstations
All library workstations should be accessible to everyone in the library's service community. At very least, they should be available to the widest number of people. That means that they should be in an accessible part of the building or the community. It means that workstations should be at physically accessible heights and accommodate a wide variety of abilities. The information that they access should also be available to everyone. Right now, many of our libraries reflect lack of awareness of the issues involved and lack of information on how to go about fixing the problems.
Of course, budgets are limited. Very few places can even dream of having all of their workstations totally accessible. But it is possible to serve many more people more easily with a limited number of accessible workstation. Two or three would be a great start. Contrary to popular beliefs, it isn't even as expensive as you (or your harried administrator) might fear.
Even one accessible workstation is a good start. You need to know that, at least as technology is right now, one station will never serve a wide range of the people with disabilities who live or work in your service area. Simply put, some accessibility features may serve one group very well, but the hardware or software may be incompatible with hardware or software that is essential to another group. But you must start somewhere. One is better than none, especially if it's the first step in a plan to have many more.
Below is an outline of a very basic accessible workstation. The list is not exhaustive, and does not include some items required by people who are blind. It's intended as a starting point. To apply it to your situation, work with local groups that serve people with a range of disabilities. Ideally, there's a disability advisory group that the library forms or "borrows" from the municipality or other entity. People from such advisory groups can also help you publicize your new workstations and services for people with disabilities when they're up and running. But first, listening is essential and so are gathering information and planning. Most of all, you just need to get started.
To find out about the items listed below you have a couple of options. You can contact the manufacturer directly. See the list "Accessible Technology for People with Disabilities." You can find a local vendor who specializes in accessibility. Your regional or subregional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped or Talking Book Library may be able to help you identify such vendors. So might one of the Tech Access sites in your state. Find Tech Access sites at http://www.ataccess.org. Or call Audrey J. Gorman at the American Library Association, 800-545-2433 ext. 4027.
BASIC HARDWARE-SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION
FOR AN ACCESSIBLE LIBRARY WORKSTATION
Fastest processor that can be afforded (check specification/recommendations of exact items chosen)
Minimum 128 MB RAM
Largest hard disk that can be afforded, based on items chosen (unless in a networked configuration that reduces hard disk requirements)
CD-ROM drive, top end sound card, speakers,
Portable storage capacity. Ideal for 11/99: one ZIP drive and one SuperDisk drive (also accommodates 3.5" floppies)
19" color monitor (minimum size)
Mouse that can be used with either hand
Keyboard with large print keys, reconfiguration options and ability to replace mouse/alternative keyboard
Flatbed scanner (Check compatibility with other hardware and software)
High-speed access to the Internet
Internet connection
Variable height table or workstation
Ergonomic chair with adjustability features and wheels that lock if needed
plus
Word processing with spell checking, word prediction, and outlining
Other standard software, including spreadsheet, database, presentation and Web browsers
Text magnification/screen enlargement
Speech synthesizer/text to speech/optical character recognition (OCR)
Speech synthesis/screen review
On-screen highlighting with choice of amount of text
Accessible Web browser (talking)
Voice recognition
Note-taking software
Mind-mapping/brainstorming software
Free-form database software
and
Staff well-versed in operation, basic troubleshooting, and minor reconfiguration.
Audrey J. Gorman
Director, Roads To Learning
The American Library Association
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
1-800-545-2433 Ext. 1-4027
Fax (312) 944-8085
E-mail [log in to unmask]
Web page: http:www.ala.org/roads
>>> [log in to unmask] 01/27/00 10:42AM >>>
Hi: We're in the process of building a new library, and I've been assigned
the task of compiling specifications for the furniture for the adaptive
technology lab that we're including in the new building. Other than making
sure that workstation heights are adjustable, I'm not finding very much in
the literature to assist me. Here's what we're considering so far. I'm
particularly interested in furniture issues right now, but any criticisms
of the proposed software configurations would be welcome as well. Any
suggestions or comments to help us out? Thanks!
1) Workstation for CCTV
2) PC Workstation with 21" monitor, Arkenstone and scanner (which we
currently have), Jaws for Windows, ZoomText Xtra Level 2, VisAbility
3) PC Workstation with 21" monitor, Dragon Dictate (which we currently
have), Jaws for Windows, ZoomText Xtra Level 2
4) PC Workstation with 21" monitor, Alva Braille Display Terminal, 45 cell
desktop, Duxbury Braille Translation, Jaws for Windows, ZoomText Xtra Level
2
5) Juliet Braille Printer with acoustical sound enclosure
6) Large screen TV (50"?) and VCR with closed captioning
7) Talking calculator
8) 2 4-track tape players (which we might want to configure to record from
a PC screen reading program)
At the moment, we're thinking that the TV should go on a TV/VCR cart. For
the rest of the equipment, we're thinking of specifying workstation tables
with the following features: motorized height adjustment with a range of
at least 25"-35" inches, 30"-60" table top space, adjustable keyboard
trays, rounded edges and corners, and locking casters for mobility. There
is some concern that the workstation with a scanner should be on a larger
table. Are 72" wide, height adjustable tables available? Another thought
was an L-shaped workstation? Are there L-shaped workstations that are
height adjustable? We're also considering recommending that one of the PC
workstations be mounted on an ErgoPod. Any thoughts on this idea?
The furniture bid is going to specify ergonomic chairs for the whole
building (maybe Aeron chairs?), and I think we're slated to get standard
issue chairs for the lab. The only other furniture we're suggesting right
now is at least one, and maybe two, lockable storage cabinets for storing
headphones, braille paper, track balls, manuals, print brochures about the
lab, etc.
Thanks for your input!
Leah Monger
Head of Library Systems & Operations
Timme Library
Ferris State University
1201 S. State St.
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231)591-2947
EASI's online workshop on adaptive technology,
Barrier-free Educational Technology, begins Jan. 31.
Making your info tech accessible is the right thing to do,
and it is the law. For information, go to
http://www.rit.edu/~easi and click on workshops.
EASI's online workshop on accessible Web design,
Barrier-free Web Design, begins Feb. 22.
Making your Web pages accessible is the right thing to do,
and it is the law. For information, go to
http://www.rit.edu/~easi and click on workshops.
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