Dear List members:

Re the query posed on the list concerning guidelines for access to
accessible workstations in [public] libraries:

As one of the "authorized" users of a library's accessible workstation (that
I currently am using to type this message), I would very much like to see a
sign at the workstation that reads:

ACCESSIBLE WORKSTATION
Patrons who need access to this workstation have first [top] priority.
For assistance, please contact the information desk.

When I have to do work on a computer in the library, I do need the
workstation. Likewise, I defer access to another patron who arrives at the
workstation before me.  However, when I - or any other individual authorized
to use the workstation - does NOT need to use a library computer, it is my
strong preference that other patrons use and become familiar with the
workstation, the more people, the better. The more people who know about
this workstation, about accessibility and assistive technology, the better.

Why?  The more people who use and know about this workstation, the less
likely that the workstation again will mysteriously disappear into an
inaccessible room in the basement, as it did one day last year (because it
was erroneously believed that hardly anyone used it).

The more people who understand that accessibility is about everyone, that
everyone does things differently, and using assistive technology is just
that: doing things differently, the more that we who self-identify as
members of the class will be accepted into society as the real people whom
we really are.

Then again, is there anyone on this planet who does not benefit from
accessibility and assistive technology? Has anyone used an elevator lately,
or paper clips, or a cell phone, or an audiobook, or more easily read a
document in 16-point, rather than 8-point print, or .... ?

Virtually everyone joins the crowd sooner or later.

-----------------------
Ellen Perlow
Member of the Class (lifetime)
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Next ASCLA Century Scholarship Deadline March 1, 2003.
See: http://www.ala.org/ascla/centuryscholarship.html

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