Assistive Technology offered from the San Francisco Public Library

Assistive technology is the service provided to people who have disabilities.  Library staff do all that they can to ensure all users have equal access to all library resources.  This post will showcase the San Francisco Public Library and what they offer to help people who have disabilities.  The direct url for the page I am referencing is http://sfpl.org/index.php?pg=2000008101.  Their website is fairly easy to navigate and within two clicks of links, users are brought to the Assistive Technology page.

To help users I will start from the beginning…enter San Francisco Public Library into a search engine or enter http://sfpl.org/ into the address bar.  Once you are on the main page, look to the lower left corner for the box titled “Services.” Within that box click on “Accessibility Services.” The next page has a variety of information from Library on Wheels to Friends for Life.  Just from this page, users can see the library already has a wide range of services to help all people.  The second service listed is “Assistive Technology,” so click on the link and you will be brought to the page that lists several services the library offers that are considered assistive technology.

Accessibility Toolkits – They are devices that can be used within the library.                          

The assistive devices are as follows; Pencil grips, and held magnifier, book holder and signature guide just to name a few.

BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) – An online application is needed to qualify for this service, but there are thousands of titles users will be able to access.

Braille Display and Embosser – For those who read braille, they can print information from the computer in the Library for the Blind and Print disabled. 

CCTVS (closed-circuit televisions/ video magnifiers) – These tvs are used to enlarge text.

NFB-NEWSLINE – This services allows library members to call a telephone service that will read aloud over three hundred newspapers. 

Reading machines – These machines scan printed English text and read aloud what is on the page.  Pictured here is one of those reading machines.

Talking library catalogs – There is at least one terminal on five different floors of the library that have the capability to read aloud what is one the screen and/or enlarge the text shown. 

Talking sign receivers – Located on multiple floors

These are wonderful services offered to all library users who need extra assistance.  All information listed above is from the San Francisco Public Library’s official website.  They also list their number multiple times of most of their pages, which is one aspect of their site I truly appreciate.  It is apparent they want to help and make sure the user knows they also can find assistance at the library.