Assistive Technologies and Libraries
By Karissa Chou
Assistive Technologies is all about helping people with
disabilities access areas they would not normally be able to access. It might
be providing headsets, braille, large font readers, magnifiers, or screen
reading software. Adapting the material is also another way to help people with
disabilities such as recordings of books.
Screen readers seem to have a downside. They often use
programs that ignore images. This is why it is crucial to use alt text. Using
alt text when creating content ensures each image is described for those who
have visual impairments. Libraries have access to funds to hire more staff to
go through content and ensure it is accessible to those with impairments or to
purchase audiobooks or equipment.
According to the American Library Association there are
four criteria to consider when thinking of assistive technologies. Those four criteria
are universal design, range of disabilities, local vendor with experience, and contact
with a local Disabilities Council. Universal Design is the idea of including accessibility
into the initial design of the library taking into consideration all
limitations. Adapting the library should not be thought of after the library
has been designed and built. It is more difficult and costly to make changes
after-the-fact. Range of disabilities, many libraries fall into the trap of
adapting their content to fit those with visual disabilities, but they fail to
adapt for hearing and learning disabilities. Many libraries are designed to
meet physical limitations under ADA for access to the facility. Libraries often
fail to consider reach. If someone in a wheelchair can reach below or above. If
the tables are at height to fit a wheelchair, if the computers can be reached, and
countertops at an appropriate height. Local vendors with experience are vendors
who offer devices or services to modify a facility to make it more accessible
to those with disabilities. The Disabilities Council is an organization who can
provide information to help libraries adapt and the organization can get
information out to the community about accessibility available within the
library. (American Library Association, 1995-2025)
“Technology Access and Assistive Technology.” ALA,
www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/accessibility/techology-access. Accessed
27 Apr. 2025.
Burke, John J. “Assistive-Adaptive Technologies.” American
Libraries Magazine, 9 Dec. 2013,
americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2013/12/09/assistive-adaptive-technologies/#:~:text=Assistive%20and%20adaptive%20technology%20makes,way%20that%20it%20becomes%20usable.
“Free or Low Cost Assistive Technology.” CLASS Disability
Resources, 28 July 2023,
augsburg.edu/class/groves/assistive-technology/everyone/.
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