I will second Kate's comments on dedicated machines - they are othering, not what I would recommend, and attempts to make people use them as opposed to the "normal" computers are often received as stigmatizing.
As a practical recommendation, both Windows and OS X have numerous built-in accessibility features that are of use to patrons with a wide variety of needs and preferences. These include settings like magnification and zoom, various high-contrast and other color modes, and screen readers. Access to these is often turned off in centrally-managed computers (which is to say most library PACs). Making these features available (and making staff aware of how to assist in enabling and using them) can make public computers considerably more versatile in responding to patron needs without the need to install or pay for additional software or hardware. Windows 10 built-in accessibility features are described at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows?activetab=pivot_1%3aprimaryr2 OS X accessibility features are described here at https://www.apple.com/ca/accessibility/mac/ ALAN HARNUM SENIOR INCLUSIVE DEVELOPER INCLUSIVE DESIGN RESEARCH CENTRE, OCAD UNIVERSITY E [email protected] OCAD UNIVERSITY 100 McCaul Street, Toronto, Canada, M5T 1W1 www.ocadu.ca <http://ocadu.ca/> On 2018-12-04, 11:32 AM, "Code for Libraries on behalf of Kate Deibel" <[email protected] on behalf of [email protected]> wrote: I'm honestly not seeing the problem here needing a solution. You cannot force any user---disabled or not---to use specific technologies even if you think they are better for that user. This patron's magnifying glass is working for him apparently. Let him use computers as he pleases. What is a problem is LOLing at that patron's decision and emotional reaction to your efforts to push him to use something he doesn't want to use. You imply the problem is with him and do not consider that your approach or the proffered ADA machine is the problem. How was the recommendation phrased? Was it a suggestion or was it more of a directive that disabled patrons should use that computer? Disability is stigmatized and not everyone acknowledges having one. That decision is an individual freedom. Dedicated machine approaches are also inherently problematic for disability access. In your case, your library has ONE such machine, meaning that only ONE disabled patron can ever be accommodated. For your patron in question, his solution lets him use any machine. Additionally, dedicated machines are also a means of othering and marking a person as disabled. That's why the recommended best practice is to make assistive software available on all machines via looking at site licenses, free software, or floating license systems. Katherine Deibel | PhD Inclusion & Accessibility Librarian Syracuse University Libraries T 315.443.7178 [email protected] 222 Waverly Ave., Syracuse, NY 13244 Syracuse University -----Original Message----- From: Code for Libraries <[email protected]> On Behalf Of John Klima Sent: Tuesday, December 4, 2018 10:10 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [CODE4LIB] ADA access We are investigating options for ADA access public computers. We have one wheelchair-accessible machine set up with Zoom Text on a large monitor which works ok but doesn't get a lot of use. We don't have any options on our OPACs. We have one gentleman who uses a large magnifying glass to use our OPACs and he gets irate if you try to suggest he use the ADA machine. LOL What sort of creative solutions do you all use? John Klima Assistant Director Waukesha Public Library 262-524-3688 Notice: Please be aware that email sent to, or received from, the City of Waukesha should be presumed to be a public record, that it will be retained by the City as a public record, and will be subject to public disclosure under Wisconsin's open records law. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, please do not read it or forward it to another person, but notify the sender and then delete it.
