Assistive Technology in Libraries

Technology makes impossible to possible! Nowadays, in the library field, in order to fulfill the different needs of patrons, public and school libraries provide different from basic devices to high-technologies to assist people who require special assistance.

What is “Assistive Technology”? According to The Final Proposed Accessible Information and Communications Standard states, assistive technology is equipment or software that assists people with disabilities; examples include screen readers and voice input software. In libraries, screen reader, screen-magnification, speech input and special input devices are commonly used for disabilities, i.e. patrons with blindness, deafness, visual or hearing impairment and learning differences etc.

The purpose of this blog is to provide the detailed and updated information about the assistive technology in libraries. How would the assistive technology be benefit to disabilities in libraries? What kinds of hardware and software are using in libraries? How are librarians required to have a well-training and knowledge with library-supported assistive devices and technology? Many further topics are yet to discuss.

Without the assistive technology, those patrons with disabilities cannot efficiently access the service provided by the library. Therefore, under this fast-paced ongoing reality, assistive technology is significant in the library industry.

We are grateful to share our findings and information for each visitors of our blog. Wishing you find the information useful and helpful!