Assistive Technology Support | District of Columbia Public Library

Assistive Technology Support | District of Columbia Public Library
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Assistive technology helps people with disabilities complete everyday tasks, from using their cell phone to reading their mail. Through the Center for Accessibility (C4A), we help train and educate individuals on the use of assistive technologies through classes, demo sessions, and presentations.
Classes offered throughout the year include JAWS for PC computers, using iOS VoiceOver (found on iPhone, iPad and Mac computers), and Android TalkBack. We also offer sessions focused on the latest assistive technologies, including discussions with guest speakers.
Please sign up for the C4A newsletter
for the latest times and dates for our classes.
Additionally, all public library computers have Fusion, JAWS, and ZoomText, which are screen reading and computer magnification softwares used by blind and low vision users. Desktop magnifiers, also referred to as CCTV readers, are offered at some branches. Other assistive technologies are available at the C4A including a SARA Scanner (a self-contained scanning and reading instrument), various types of magnifiers, and a videophone.
Please scroll down for a list of current adaptive equipment and software in C4A and at other branches,
This guide will be updated as often as possible. Please reach out to your preferred location to verify current equipment and services.
Available Assistive Technology and Locations
American Sign Language - Language Line Service
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Through the Language Line service, those who are deaf or hard of hearing have instant access to a remote ASL interpreter to communicate with staff
Cleveland Park
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Center for Accessibility
Passport Office
Northeast
Audio Loops
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An audio loop system or hearing loop (induction loop) assists patrons who are hard of hearing or deaf with assistive listening. The system takes the source of the sound from a microphone and transfers it to a hearing aid or cochlear implant or receiver with a headset. Patrons who need assistive listening and do not have a hearing aid or cochlear implant or personal device with a T-coil can borrow a receiver to pick up the sound.
Anacostia
Capital View
Lamond-Riggs
Shepard Park/Juanita E. Thornton
Southwest
Tenley-Friendship
West End
*Check with Library branch for exact location of the audio loop system. It will usually be in the branch's large meeting room.
CCTV/Magnifiers
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A device to increase the size, contrast, and brightness of anything you wish to read. Magnifies up to 16x!
Anacostia
Bellevue (William O. Lockridge)
Capital View*
Chevy Chase
Cleveland Park*
Francis A. Gregory*
Lamond-Riggs*
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Center for Accessibility
Adult Non-Fiction Reading Room
Northeast
Palisades
Rosedale
Takoma*
Tenley-Friendship
West End
Woodridge*
Locations with an (*) hold Portable Magnifiers, which requires checking out at branch's circulation desk. All other locations hold desktop magnifiers as shown in the image here.
JAWS/ZoomText/Fusion
Screenreader and enlarging software designed to make navigating computers possible for blind and low vision users
Available at every Library location
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Large Print Keyboard
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Whether its large black print on a yellow keys or large white print on black keys, a user with low vision will find using this keyboard easier than a standard keyboard.
Available at every Library Location
Pocketalker
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This device amplifies sound and includes an extender for the microphone. Includes a headset for listening and is ideal for users who are hard of hearing.
One device is available at every Library location
Ubiduo
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A 2-way typing device ideal for those who are deaf or hard of hearing to communicate with Library staff.
Anacosita
Bellevue (William O. Lockridge)
Benning (Dorthy I. Height)
Capital View
Chevy Chase
Cleveland Park
Deanwood
Francis A. Gregory
Georgetown
Lamond-Riggs (Lillian J. Huff)
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
1st Floor Welcome Desk
Center for Accessibility
Children's Welcome Desk
Mt. Pleasant
Northeast
Northwest One
Palisades
Petworth
Rosedale
Shaw (Watha T. Daniel)
Shepard Park (Juanita E. Thornton)
Southeast
Southwest
Takoma Park
Tenley-Friendship
West End
Woodridge
Videophone
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Designed for those who communicate in ASL to call other Videophone users
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Center for Accessibility
1st Floor Computer Lab
Available Equipment & Technology at the Center for Accessibility
This list is inclusive of equipment found in the Center for Accessibility on the 2nd Floor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library:
Braille embosser (Staff may print up to 100 Braille pages for members of the public)
CCTV/Desktop Magnifiers
JAWS/ZoomText/Fusion
Language Line Remote ASL Interpretation
Large print keyboards
Pocketalker
OCR Scanners (document scanner that converts printed text to speech)
Optelec ClearReader +
SARA scanner
UbiDuo
Videophone
Audiences:
All Ages
Type:
Accessibility
Contact Us
Center For Accessibility
202-727-2142
DCPLaccess@dc.gov
Related Resources & Services
DC Talking Book and Braille Program (NLS)
Part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS).
Kids
Teens
Adults
All Ages
Accessibility
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Library By Mail
Service to mail library material to those who cannot physically visit a DCPL location due to disability or illness.
All Ages
Accessibility
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