Duane Hicks
Those with impaired vision need not let that be a reason to stop going to the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre.
The library has “adaptive technology” available that makes it much more easy for those with impaired vision or blindness to access information and enjoy the pleasures of books.
While these devices, which were sponsored by the Voyageur Lions Club of Fort Frances, have been in place since the new library opened its doors, they haven’t been used much and the library wants the public to become more familiar with them.
Computer program trainer Jeremy Hughes gave several “Friends of the Library” members a lesson on how to use these devices last Thursday.
The Topaz desktop video magnifier, for instance, is a device which allows users to view text at up to 16X magnification.
Topaz is easy to turn on. After that, all the user has to do is put a book, piece of paper, or whatever they want to read on a sliding tray and move it around while looking at a video screen, which shows whatever they want to read magnified.
With a click of another button, the video display can be adjusted so that the text is black on white, white on black, yellow on blue, or yellow on black—whichever is easiest to read for that person.
The Topaz is a standalone device, meaning it is not connected to a computer, has large buttons, and is very easy to use.
Those who might be intimidated by a computer have nothing to fear.
Another device—Ruby—is a hand-held version of Topaz. The user just has to turn on the portable device and hold it above their reading material.
This magnifies the text so it is large enough to read. And like the Topaz, it can change the colour of the text and background to improve visibility.
A third device is SARA, which converts text to speech. This means you can scan a printed book or newspaper and SARA will read it back to you.
One also can input an ebook or other electronic document into SARA and it will do the same.
SARA features large, simple, embossed keys—making it easy to use even if you’re completely blind.
These buttons can be used not only to turn the device on and off and change the volume, but also skip backward and forward if you want SARA to repeat a word or phrase or jump ahead.
You also can change the speed SARA reads to you.
Headphones are available, so you don’t have to worry about privacy or bothering other library patrons.
Hughes reiterated that Topaz, Ruby, and SARA are standalone devices, meaning you do not have to be able to use a computer to utilize them.
But the library’s adaptive technology area also has computers ready for vision-impaired patrons to use. These feature large, yellow keys on their keyboards that are easy to read.
They also have software installed that makes them easier to use. ZoomText 10, for instance, is a program which magnifies whatever is on the computer screen, whether it’s a webpage the patron wants to read or icons they can click to do any number of tasks.
Meanwhile, the JAWS screen reading software reads aloud whatever is on your computer screen (as with other devices, you can use headphones while utilizing this function).
Outside of the adaptive technology area, the local library also has audio books on CD for loan and available for download.
The library also has “Playaways” for loan, which are solid-state, pre-recorded audio players. In simplest terms, it is an audio book and player all in one, so you don’t have to have a CD player, MP3 player, computer, or other device to listen to the audio book.
Just borrow a “Playaways” book and you’re set.
Yet another device is the Daisy Victor Reader. This is an audio book player which is easy for the vision-impaired to use because of its simple design and large buttons.
With the exception of the “Playaways,” the library does not currently loan out its adaptive devices for use outside the building. But Hughes said this could change if there is a demand for it.
Likewise, he added that more adaptive technology, like voice-recognition software for computers, could be looked into if the public asks for it.
The library is open to suggestions from the public as it looks to boost usage of its adaptive technology.
One idea is to move some or all of the equipment, which currently is located near the check-out desk, to the computer lab so that vision-impaired users won’t feel awkward or singled out.
“Friends of the Library” members were appreciative of the information session with Hughes. And now that they’re more familiar with the adaptive technology, they hope to spread the word about what’s available to help the vision-impaired.
“How many times did we walk by this bank [of devices] and didn’t know what they all were?” noted Ruth Caldwell.
“We needed to have this experience to get a little familiar with them.”
“Friends” president Cathy Robinson stressed the devices are “very easy to use, user-friendly.”
“It would be really nice to have the equipment that we have in the library used more,” she remarked, adding that now, “if somebody asks what it’s all about, at least we know.”
