Sample Presentation Script, Lecture notes of Technology

Download Sample Presentation Script and more Lecture notes Technology in PDF only on Docsity! 7 Universal Access: Electronic Resources in Libraries SAMPLE PRESENTATION SCRIPT Introduction Distribute handouts. • Making Library Resources Accessible to People with Disabilities • Working Together: People with Disabilities and Computer Technology • Meet the Speakers in the Videotape: Working Together: People with Disabilities and Computer Technology • World Wide Access: Accessible Web Design • Meet the Speakers in the Videotape: World Wide Access Put up overhead transparency. I’m here today to share with you infor- mation and issues related to people with disabili- ties, electronic resources, and libraries. Put up overhead transparency. Recent advances in adaptive computer technology, greater reli- ance on computers, and increased availability and networking of electronic information resources have resulted in life- changing opportunities for many people with disabilities. In combination, these technolo- gies provide many people with disabilities Handouts Universal Access: Electronic Information in Libraries Computers + Adaptive Technology + Electronic Resources = Opportunities This section provides a sample script for delivering a half-day to full-day presentation covering all of the topics listed in the outline. Tailor the script to your chosen program length, content and audience. Presentation Outline Introduction Success stories Legal issues Definitions and statistics General Library Access Building and physical environment Staff Services Adaptive Technology Assisting people with: Low vision Blindness Hearing and speech impairments Specific learning disabilities Mobility impairments Health impairments Beginning the process of planning for adaptive technology Getting started: a list of adaptive technology devices Resources Electronic Resources Universal design principles Accessible Web design General page design Graphical features Special features Web pages test Resources Summary 8Universal Access: Electronic Resources in Libraries better access to education, careers, and other life experiences. Libraries play an important role in ensuring equitable access to information for all mem- bers of our society. In addition, federal legis- lation mandates that public institutions, including libraries, provide accommodations for people with disabilities so that they can utilize the same services and resources as other people. What are some of the electronic resources currently in your library? Solicit audience input to list items such as CD- ROM encyclopedias and indexes, online cata- logs, WWW pages, and full-text databases. The information covered in this presentation will provide you with tools and insights that will help ensure that these electronic resources are accessible to the broadest audience. As an extra benefit, you will find that being sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities can often make access easier for everyone. Put up overhead transparency. Our program today will cover these five topics. To begin I will share some success stories or examples of the impact that adaptive technology for computers and elec- tronic resources has had for people with disabilities. Then we will consider the most important legislative directives on the issue and look at some statistics about people with disabilities. We will then consider the bigger picture of access to libraries and library ser- vices for people with disabilities. With that Program Outline • Success stories • Legal issues, statistics • General library access • Adaptive technology • Electronic resources background, a videotape presentation and discussion of adaptive technology for comput- ers will bring our focus to electronic resources in libraries. The last segment of the program will include the second videotape presenta- tion and a discussion of universal design of electronic resources applied to the develop- ment of World Wide Web pages. Today’s presentation will help you under- stand the impact of these technologies for people with disabilities while giving you the tools to begin implementing them in your library. Your packet of handouts is one of the tools that will help you apply the ideas pre- sented. Let’s walk through it. Put up overhead transparency. The following hand- outs are in your packet. • Making Library Resources Accessible to People with Disabilities • Working Together: People with Disabilities and Computer Technology • Meet the Speakers in the Videotape: Working Together: People with Disabilities and Computer Technology • World Wide Access: Accessible Web Design • Meet the Speakers in the Videotape: World Wide Access Much of the information presented today is provided in these handouts. I will let you know which handout covers the information we are focusing on as we go through the presentation. Keep the handouts handy to save from taking duplicative notes. Handouts • Making Library Resources Accessable to People with Disabilities • Working Together: People with Disabilties and Computer Technology • Meet the Speakers in the Videotape: Working Together: People with Disabilities and Computer Technology • World Wide Access: Accessible Web Design • Meet the Speakers in the Videotape: World Wide Access 11 Universal Access: Electronic Resources in Libraries which it is relying on technology to serve its non-disabled patrons. The more tech- nology that has been purchased by a public library to serve non-disabled patrons, the more reasonable the expectation that it will employ technology such as scanners to serve its patrons with disabilities.4 As libraries increasingly provide electronic resources, they are legally obligated to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. Definitions and Statistics So, what exactly does “person with a disabil- ity” mean? Put up overhead transparency. “Person with a disabil- ity” means “any person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities including walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment.” Put up overhead transparency. Examples of qualify- ing disabilities covered by legislation may include, but are not limited to, spinal cord injuries, loss of limbs, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, hearing impairments, visual impairments, speech impairments, specific learning disabilities, head injuries, psychiatric disorders, diabetes, cancer, and AIDS. The examples listed here are conditions which limit people’s abilities to perform specific tasks. Some of these conditions are readily apparent; some are invisible. Some require that we provide special accommodations in the library; some do not. Additionally, some people who have conditions with the same label may have very different abilities when it comes to performing specific tasks. For example, one student who has cerebral palsy may have difficulty walking. For another student, cerebral palsy may result in no func- tional use of her/his hands or voice. Now that we discussed the definition of disability according to the ADA, let’s consider some statistics to gain a better understanding of this service population. Put up overhead transparency. According to surveys conducted in 1991-1992, 9.6% or 1 in 10 Americans has a severe disability that substan- tially limits at least one major life activity. 19.4 % or 1 in 5 Americans has a disability. 5 In addition, we can expect the number of library patrons with disabilities to increase. Examples of Disabilities Person with a disability = any person who: • has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. • has a record of such an impairment. • is regarded as having such an impairment. 1 in 10 Americans has a severe disability that limits at least one major life activity. 4 Ibid. 5 “Americans With Disabilities: 1991-1992”. Current Population Reports, Series P70-33. Information also available at http://www.census.gov/ • spinal cord injuries • loss of limbs • multiple sclerosis • muscular dystrophy • cerebral palsy • hearing impairments • visual impairments • speech impairments • specific learning disabilities • head injuries • psychiatric disorders • diabetes • cancer • AIDS 12Universal Access: Electronic Resources in Libraries Some reasons for this increase include: Put up overhead transparency. Advances in medical technology and tech- niques result in greater numbers of people who survive traumatic accidents and problematic births. Improvements in technology make it possible for more people with disabilities to live inde- pendently and have productive lives for which they will want and need library resources. Increased awareness of people with disabili- ties’ rights to accommodations and equal opportunities in education and employment, guaranteed by 504 and the ADA, has, and will continue to encourage more people to pursue these activities and request accommodations. The creation of federal and state mandated K- 12 and higher education academic support programs helps more students with disabili- ties complete high school and enter college and careers. The number of students with disabilities enrolled in universities and col- leges has already increased. In 1994, 9.2% of all full-time, first-time entering freshman reported a disability, up from 2.6% in 1978.6 This trend will create a greater demand for accessible information resources in academic libraries. The aging of the baby boomer generation will cause a significant demographic shift in our society, increasing the number of people with low vision, hearing impairments, and other disabilities related to the aging process. Put up overhead transparency. Among people aged 18-44, 5% have a severe disability; among people aged 65-74, 25% have a severe disability; and among people aged 75-84, 42% have a severe disability. 7 All of these factors are leading to increased numbers of people with disabilities who are and will be requesting services at libraries. Summary The purpose of this introduction is to help you understand why libraries need to be prepared to serve people with disabilities. The legal imperatives of the ADA and other laws and the expected increase of people with disabili- ties in our constituencies and argue strongly for immediate action. Libraries will be best prepared to serve patrons with disabilities if they strive to include them in regularly pro- vided services. This is best achieved by using universal design principles when designing facilities, equipment, services and resources; by providing a base level of adaptive technol- ogy; and by developing a policy and proce- dures for handling requests for accommoda- tion. By taking these steps the library will be better able to respond quickly to more special- ized requests for accommodation. The rest of today’s presentation will help you develop an understanding of adaptive tech- nology and of universal design principles so that you can help develop accessible services and resources for your library. The number of patrons with disabilities will increase because of: • advances in medical technology • advances in adaptive technology • increased awareness • increased education support • older average age 6 Facts You Can Use. “College Freshman with Disabilities.” Information from HEATH. Vol. 14, No. 2,3 June/July 1995. 7 Americans With Disabilities. Bureau of the Census Statistical Brief. SB/94-1, January 1994. Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce. Available at http://www.census.gov/ Age 18-44 65-74 75-84 % Disabilities 5% 25% 42%