A Keyboard

I was recently at Bellevue Elementary in Bellevue, MI talking to 4th and 5th graders about my book.  While I had some free time, I looked around the computer lab where I was speaking and found this keyboard.

Now, while this keyboard is meant for children learning how to type, it struck me how beneficial this keyboard could also be for someone who is visually impaired or losing their sight.  All of the numbers are red, all of the function keys are green, all of the punctuation/symbol keys are orange, all of the consonants are dark blue, and all of the vowels are light blue.  For someone who cannot see the letters on the keys, they may still be able to see the color; and if they are familiar with the typical QWERTY keyboard, they might just be able to figure out where the keys are based on this color coding.  Also, even if the person cannot differentiate between colors, the size of the letters and numbers on these keys are much larger than that of a standard keyboard, making them easier to see.  Plus this keyboard is Mac and Windows compatible, so it does not matter which operating system the visually impaired person has, this keyboard would work for them!

Just a thought!

Canine Companions for Independence

Back in January, after hearing from Cain and Ellie about Canine Companions for Independence while in Denton, I had an epiphany.  I decided that I should apply for a canine companion.  It is something me and my family have been considering for many years now, and I decided that now was the right time.

I have been living on my own for about 5 years, now.  But even though I've been able to live independently for so long it has not been without its difficulties.  I guess things started to change when I had some falling episodes back during the Fall semester, one of which caused me to have a black eye.  Of course, having balance issues as a result of Cerebral Palsy, falling, for me, isn't uncommon.  It happens from time to time.  But living by myself, I'm worried that one of these times I am going to fall and seriously injure myself, and be unable to get myself back up.  My thinking was that a canine companion could help with this.  Cain said that Ellie went and got help for him when he fell one time, and if I could get a dog to at least open my apartment door so that I can call for help, that would give me a piece of mind.

On top of this, it is difficult for me to independently open doors that do not have an automatic door push button.  Also, I have difficulty picking things up off the floor (and I'm constantly dropping things).  I think a Canine Companion would be helpful for these reasons, as well.

I sent in my completed application back in February to the Canine Companion for Independence midwest regional center in Ohio.  I was told that after they review my application it will be decided whether or not I'm a qualified enough candidate to go onto the next step, which is the phone interview.  I have not heard anything from them, as of yet, but I have not given up hope.  They are very busy people over there.  And if it is determined that a Canine Companion is not right for me, though I will be disappointed, I will understand.  There are many people out there whose disabilities are more severe than my own who could probably use a Canine Companion more than I could, though I do think I would benefit from the program.

I'll be sure to update the blog if I hear anything from them in the near future. :)

*UPDATE - 3/26* I made it to the phone interview part of the application process!  I have an interview scheduled for this coming Thursday, so I will let you know how it goes!

*UPDATE - 4/7* My phone interview went well.  Now I have to send in a medical history form filled out by my physician.  If that goes through, and everything is good, then I go on to the personal interview stage!

Reflections

This semester has opened my eyes, and I am seeing the Library and Information Science profession as I've never seen it before.  This is a good thing!  I knew that being a librarian was much more than reading books and telling patrons to be quiet.  But I am especially enamored with how much I've learned about technology this semester.  I feel as though, already, I can confidently go into a job and use my newfound computer skills to enhance the library experience for not only the patrons, but for my fellow co-workers, as well.  Now, I know that I've still got a lot to learn, so the thought of being a tech-wiz may be a bit of an exaggeration.  However, this semester has taught me skills that I know I will be able to apply to my future career.

As for technology with regards to Universal Access, I know I'll be learning more about that next semester.  However, from what I've learned already, I can only see the benefits of implementing accessible technology (such as screen readers, braille readers) in the library setting.

Overall, I am pleased with how the semester turned out, and I am excited to see what future semesters hold in store.

What services does DPL offer its other patrons?

The Detroit Public Library System is made up of twenty-three different branches beside the main library.  The main library, alone, is very large and offers a variety of different programs, so that will be the only DPL library that we will focus on for this post.  The main branch of DPL has a lot that it offers its other patrons that aren't elderly.

For example, they have the HYPE Teen Center for young adults.  Within this teen center, many services are offered, such as, homework help, mentoring for girls (called Jewels of HYPE), plus an Anime Club and Teen Advisory Board.

But it's not just the teens that can get in on the action, there are multiple services for younger children, as well.  These include: Preschool Storytime, a Tween Chess Club, an American Girl Program, and a Junior Great Books program.

For adults, they recently had a lecture called Copyright for Creative people, in which the attendees learned the basics of Copyright Law, and the rights it gives them.  Also, they recently had a Winter Hazards Awareness Workshop, warning attendees about the hazards of the upcoming season and teaching them how to stay safe.  This last workshop was open to all, and was very beneficial for persons of any age in teaching them how to safely combat Michigan winters.

On top of all of this, they regularly offer classes on how to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.  And for the holiday season, they have a class that teaches attendees how to make holiday flyers.

The point is, there's a little bit of something for everybody at the Main Branch of the Detroit Public Library.  Age, race, physical ability, it doesn't matter.  All one needs to attend these events or programs is an interest in the subject.

Universal Access: What is it?

The concept of Universal Access is something that should be considered not just in the Library and Information Science field.  All public places should provide various types of access so that people with varying disabilities can use these public facilities to their fullest extent.  Universal Access is what sounds like, access for all, keeping all of the different of the types of challenges people face in mind.

However, within the Library and Information Science field, Universal Access is something that should definitely be thought of.  Many libraries are older, and have characteristics that make it harder for disabled person to access the building, such as steps to get to the front door, or to get to various levels of the library.  Without a ramp or an elevator, these physical barriers are very damaging for the library, as it inhibits those who have physical disabilities from coming to the library.

But physical barriers in a library are not the only barriers that could be fixed.  For the visually impaired, the library could offer a variety of braille books, or audio books.  Also, library computers could have screen-reading software installed on them so that a visually impaired patron can easily have access to computers and enhance the information they can obtain from their library visit.

The importance of understanding that persons with disabilities experience oppression:

In understanding that a person with a disability experiences oppression, you understand fully the challenges that this minority faces.  For a Library and Information Science professional, it would be important to understand that oppression.  Many persons with disabilities are often treated in a condescending manner, which does nothing to help them feel like they are just the same as every other person.  If a Library and Information Science professional can understand how this particular treatment of a person with a disability is the wrong way to go about things, they can help their disabled patrons to feel more at home in their public library.

In treating a person with a disability how they would any other patron, it helps the disabled person to feel less oppressed.  If the person needs help, they will usually ask, so it is important for library professionals not to automatically assume that all persons with disabilities need help.  However, if it looks as though the person is struggling, it is important for the library professional not to ignore that person and come to their aid.  It's a balance between being helpful without being overly so, and being kind without making it seem as though the kindness is forced.

What is the digital divide? What does it mean? What role does age and disability have in the digital divide? What steps can/should libraries and information agencies take to narrow or eliminate the gap in services among the various service populations?

What is the digital divide?  From how I understand it, the digital divide is the divide between those who are privileged enough to have access to technology and are able to use it to their advantage and those who are underprivileged and are unable to gain access to technology.  In an article that I read for another course, "The Internet, Public Libraries, and the Digital Divide" author Bo Kinney discusses how providing access to computers may not be enough in order to close the "digital divide". It would seem that although certain minorities have gained higher access to computers and the internet over the years, the gap is still evidence of the struggle between the advantages of the majority and the disadvantages of the minority. 

The disabled and the elderly are in the minority when it comes to being able to affectively access and use technology.  For the disabled, many times it is due to the lack of adaptive equipment that they are unable to access technology.  For the elderly however, the problem is, for the most part, a lack of education when it comes to how to use the technology provided to them.  Librarians have to become the educators.

Libraries may offer access to technology, but providing access alone is not enough.  Librarians need to be able to teach the public, the disadvantaged especially, how to utilize the technology that is provided to them.  Some librarians would argue that they did not become librarians in order to teach.  However, it stands to reason that libraries have always been a source of information.  If the general public knew how to access the information provided by the library without any assistance, what would be the use of Librarians?

Especially when it comes to the elderly and patrons with disabilities, it is extremely important for librarians to understand how to properly assist these patrons so that they can learn how to use the technology provided to their advantage and start closing the digital divide.  This is part of what Project ALFA is all about.  The ALFA fellows are learning how to use different adaptive programs and assistive technologies in order to make computers and other forms of technology more user-friendly for those patrons who need assistance. In our own small way, we are working toward bridging the gap that is the digital divide.

Kinney, B. (2010). The internet, public libraries, and the digital divide. Public Library Quarterly, 29(2), 

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