June 16, 2004
SYRACUSE --- The Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL) will expand its outreach to persons with disabilities thanks to a $20,000 grant from The Central New York Community Foundation. Assistive technology and training will help people who are blind, physically handicapped or aged gain access to online information.
A Sound Approach to the Library is the free program that will provide customized assessment and training to meet the specific information needs of individuals who are disabled. Additionally, more equipment and software will be added so that people with disabilities can listen to books, old-time radio shows, narrated videos and more. They can write letters in large print or Braille; search the Internet using large print, synthetic speech programs or voice commands; and send E-mail.
Librarian Mark Allnatt, who heads the Special Technologies and Adaptive
Resources (STAR) program for the Onondaga County Public Library and is himself blind, stated, "The program will facilitate audio and tactile input and output of electronic information to people with disabilities, providing a free and unique service in our community."
A Sound Approach to the Library will launch on July 26, the 14th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Onondaga County Public Library is located in The Galleries of Syracuse, 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Call 435-1876 for more information.
|
|
|
|
