Bell, 'Library Without Walls: Teleservices for Americans with Disabilities', LITA Newsletter v14n04 URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/lita/lita-v14n04-bell-library [v14n4.libwalls litanews] --------------- Library Without Walls: Teleservices for Americans with Disabilities Gladys Smiley Bell A sampling of technological innovations for the physically-challenged library user was discussed, demonstrated and available for hands-on use during this well-attended program, sponsored by LITA's Adaptive Technologies Interest Group. Presentations focused on the development and availability of technology to assist libraries in providing serv- ices needed by users with disabilities. Captioning and Descriptive Video Technology Margaret Albright and Katie Tryon-Rauh (WGBH Media Access Research and Development Office) brought the audience up to date on these areas. Captions display spoken dialogue as printed words on the television screen and are designed to communicate to deaf or hearing impaired viewers. With the enactment of The Television Decoder Circuitry Act, all televisions 13 inches or larger sold in the U. S. will contain built-in closed caption decoding capability. An investigation has also begun into making movies accessible to deaf and hearing impaired audiences through theatrical closed caption- ing, the "Motion Picture Access Project." Despite the growth of televi- sion closed captioning, motion pictures exhibited in theaters are con- spicuously absent from the inventory of media captioned for deaf and hearing impaired viewers. One of the challenges is in providing cap- tions without interfering with a hearing audience's enjoyment of a movie. Designed to make television programs accessible to blind and visu- ally impaired people, Descriptive Video Services (DVS) inserts nar- rated description of the key visual elements of a program or movie dur- ing natural pauses in the dialogue--without interfering with the program audio. Everyone in the audience was asked at this time to close their eyes and a video was played with DVS--just to get the feel- ing. Educational videos, i.e., Eyes on the Prize, Civil War, etc., will be available to academic libraries with this format. Albright and Tryon-Rauh also discussed investigations into language translation of public television programs and analyzing the needs of Americans who may have physical or learning barriers to current infor- mation. It is all coming via the vertical blanking interval of the television signal. Existing Adaptive-Technology Devices Our own Joan Maier McKean offered review information on existing adap- tive technology devices, particularly Personal Digital Assistants and wireless notebooks. These products, coming or on the market, present possibilities for assisting the diverse physically challenged library community. One product that especially stood out is the Ready Information Sys- tem called RED. It is a portable CD-ROM delivery system weighing less than two pounds. Hands-free and wearable, RED incorporates a heads-up virtual screen display, a zero-motion mouse and text-to-speech audio capability in three languages, with a memory card drive for instant up- dates of the CD-ROM information. Visualize an adjustable display mounted on a headset. A "screen" virtually floats in space about 12 inches in front of your eyes. Lastly, McKean showed a video of GTE's desktop video document and teleconferencing system (DVTS). Compressed color images, graphics, spreadsheets or any data file can be transmitted and received within seconds to any location. DVTS is available over a wide variety of com- munication line options, including high-speed modem and the emerging ISDN. The DVTS has three windows--VideoSite, TextEdit and DocuSketch-- that can all be adjusted by size and orientation to fit needs. This system suggested an ideal PC tool for enhancing communication and ac- cess for the physically challenged. Improving Library Services The last speaker, Ruth O'Donnell, describes herself as "an advocate of services for library patrons with disabilities and not a technology person." As the Library Program Specialist for the Bureau of Library Development for State Libraries in Florida, she is clearly devoted to improving services for library patrons with disabilities. She acknow- ledges that there is no singular solution to satisfying all the needs and suggests phasing in adaptive technology. Starting with the environment, she suggests adjusting table heights and chair and widening pathways to workstations. If bringing in or changing an OPAC, consider accessibility by the physically challenged in the planning process. Train staff on the use of adaptive software and equipment. Integrate recorded, Braille and large print signage. O'Donnell also mentioned alternative input devices or adaptive soft- ware that allows control of keyboard access and use. Invest in soft- ware that allows cursor control; speed acceptance rates; auditory or non-visual applications (auditory toggle key status); alternative la- bel overlays (Braille/large key) and illumination for the keyboard. Al- low methods for the user to bring and use their own adaptive software and optical character reader input. Finally, consider special output devices: magnification screens that fit on or over monitors; speech synthesizers (talking computers); large monitors with large-print software; pop-up Braille; and closed- circuit applications. Adaptive technologies expertly assist and empower library users to undertake research independently and essentially change lives. Discussion The audience participated in the discussion. Several deaf and hard-of- hearing librarians shared their experiences, outlined their needs and helped to create a very informative tone for this presentation. After an extended question and answer period, the audience had the opportu- nity to try out a couple of adaptive technology devices. The audience showed particular interest in devices that entertain as well as expand their knowledge. WGBH provided two sign interpreters, one for the speakers and one for the audience.--Gladys Smiley Bell is Coordinator, Electronic Information Services at Kent State University, Kent, Ohio