Technology and Access for People with Disabilities
by John R. Moore
Technology opens the door to information access for an increasing number of persons with disabilities. Many library materials are accessible now that were not accessible just a few years ago. Personal computers networked to OPACs, the Internet, and CD-ROM databases facilitate access for most library users. However, these technologies also provide an important gateway for people with limited mobility or limited strength. Electronic tools can bypass many of the obstacles imposed by the physical demands of certain materials, such as a card catalog with heavy drawers that are often out of reach or an encyclopedia comprising many heavy volumes. Many individuals with disabilities do not require any specialized or assistive technology to access information. In these cases, the same technology used by most library users serves the particular needs of patrons with disabilities.
In other cases, however, persons with disabilities do require additional accommodations to access library materials. Although the use of technology to improve access is not a new phenomenon, current technology especially computer microchip technology has greatly expanded access options and enables persons with disabilities to have much greater independence in accessing information. By making text larger or aural, assistive technology provides alternate modes of access. Moreover, the cost of assistive technology has also decreased in recent years, making it more available to libraries.
In particular, libraries have an important role to play in providing information access to persons with disabilities. When viewed demographically, people with disabilities have a very high unemployment rate. Those who are employed tend to have a lower income than the general population (Trupin et al. 1997). Many are unable to afford a home computer and connection to the Internet. In Texas the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) provides grants to libraries so they can purchase the equipment necessary to connect to the Internet. Part of the grant process is a written assurance that the library will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), thereby making their public-use Internet-connected computers accessible to people with disabilities.
With or without such assurance, Title II of the ADA makes libraries responsible
as "public entities" for making their services accessible to persons
with disabilities. Since many people with disabilities cannot afford their own
Internet connections, it is very important for them to be able to access the
Internet through public libraries. In spite of the legal requirements of the
ADA and the written assurances
of TIF grantees, libraries vary considerably in their adoption of accessible
technology.
There are many types of technologies available to libraries for making information accessible to people with disabilities. We will explore two general approaches; and, in so doing, we will look at some of the issues involved in providing such access.
Technology makes things bigger. Magnifying text and images to provide access to persons with low vision is a strategy that has been in use for centuries. Hand-held magnifying lenses and eyeglasses are obviously still much in use today. Newer magnification technologies are also commonly used today. Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is a widely used technology for providing access to print materials. A CCTV uses a small television camera to enlarge print material; the enlarged image is viewed on a television monitor. Early CCTVs offered an enlarged black and white image of text or graphics placed beneath the camera. Current CCTVs are available with color cameras and color monitors making them much more functional for enlarging color maps and graphics. They have many options including the ability to change text and background colors. CCTVs are easy for patrons to use and usually require little support from library staff.
Technology that reads. One person reading to another is probably the original, non-technology solution to providing access to text for persons who are unable to read text. Screen readers and reading machines use technology to replace the human reader with an electronic one. Screen readers were designed originally so that persons who are blind could access a computer. Screen readers are computer software programs that work either with a speech synthesizer or with the computer's sound card to convert text on the computer screen to speech. These programs were first developed when the only thing on a computer screen was text and all input into the computer came from the keyboard. This technology enabled many computer users with visual disabilities to find employment in jobs where work was done on a computer.
Then, a few years ago, the unthinkable happened. Computer operating systems using graphical user interfaces (GUI) such as Windows came along that not only used graphics to present information but also used a mouse to select options graphically presented on the computer screen. The early screen readers functioned poorly with GUI interfaces. They continued to read text that appeared on the screen but did a poor job of deciphering icons, pull down menus, buttons, and other graphical devices used by GUI systems. It was not only a problem with the new operating systems.
Software developers brought out new applications to take advantage of features of the new GUIs. Many of these did not offer any alternative to mouse input in a graphical environment. Early pre GUI programs were entirely controlled by keyboard commands and this was a key to their accessibility to persons with visual disabilities. Many people who are blind are excellent touch typists while others are able to use keyboards with Braille labels on the keys. But as software was developed that did not allow keyboard alternatives to mouse selection, the door to access began to close for many computer users with disabilities.
As disability advocacy organizations began contacting software companies and government officials to make them aware of their plight, companies that produced screen reader software started developing products that could accurately interpret GUIs. Over time these efforts paid off. Software developers designed new screen readers that could more accurately read GUIs and created newer operating systems containing features to make them easier for the screen readers to interpret.
This process represents an oft-repeated cycle of development and obsolescence.
Since most new technology is developed for the general population, the
needs of individuals with disabilities are seldom considered. When a product
is not accessible, assistive technology may be developed to make the product
accessible. However there is usually a lapse of time before assistive technology
is available to render a new product accessible. This can be quite disruptive
when a person depends on the product in his/her daily life. Because many people
with disabilities have limited income, they are often unable to afford the latest
technology. Many individuals are still using DOS- based computers with first
generation screen readers.
Another group of useful devices, reading machines are computers that have special software, similar to screen reading software, combined with an optical scanner. Text is placed on the scanner, is scanned, and is then read by the computer using a speech synthesizer or the computer's sound card. These machines can provide access to almost any printed material in the library. Reading machines, like screen readers, were originally developed for persons who are blind. Their use has been greatly expanded, however, because the devices also provide access to other persons who cannot read text. This group includes the large number of persons with learning disabilities. Another feature of reading machines is that software is available to read languages other than English.
Using the technology described above, libraries can design computer workstations that allow persons with different disabilities to access information via computers. The library accessible workstation can include access to the Internet and online databases, CD-ROM resources, and the library web site and OPAC. A basic workstation might consist of a computer on an adjustable table with screen reading and screen enlargement software. Current computer operating systems include built-in features that can help persons with physical disabilities access the keyboard (Windows "Accessibility Options" and Macintosh "Easy Access" or "Universal Access"). Since disabilities can involve an almost infinite combination of functional limitations and abilities, libraries must also provide more individualized access for patrons whose access needs are not met by existing workstations.
Technology is not the only consideration in providing access to library materials and services for people with disabilities. Other considerations include physical access to the library through the parking lot and library grounds, entrance into and exit from the library, building layout, and signage. Staff training in technology and technology access are critical. Appropriate documentation of library hardware and software that is available in alternative formats is also very important.
Technology can also enable individuals with disabilities to access information without ever physically entering the library. This may be as simple as using the telephone to call the reference desk or may involve accessing online databases either through the library's web page, through other Internet web pages, or through a commercial information provider. This can be a great convenience, or perhaps a necessity to a person with limited mobility or difficulty with transportation.
Technology can both open and shut doors to persons with disabilities. As technology continues to change, new doors to access will open and some of the earlier access strategies will become obsolete. Software and hardware developers are more aware now of the needs of persons with disabilities; as a result, computer technology should become more accessible in the future.
New federal legislation such as the Telecommunications Act of 1996 contains provisions to make telecommuni-cations technology more accessible. This legislation is a result of an increasing awareness nationally of the needs of persons with disabilities. Libraries must increase their awareness of all their patrons and respond by providing the resources necessary to allow persons with disabilities access to their materials and services.
John R. Moore is the information coordinator for the Texas Assistive Technology Partnership at The University of Texas at Austin.