Spotlight on Keep It Simple;

Keep It Simple; a Guide to Assistive Technologies, by Ravonne A. Green and Vera Blair, Z711.92.H3 G74 2011.  “Among computer users, about 25 percent have been reported as having difficulty with vision, 24 percent have mobility impairments, and 29 percent of computer users have problems with hearing. “ from Keep It Simple, p. 4. Most of them are unaware of the free assistive technologies built right into the Microsoft software in the library computer that they are using. Keep It Simple  will show you how to find and use that and other free software assistive technology (AT) to help patrons use computers, maybe even your catalogues. First the authors convince you, and give you facts and figures useful for making a case for turning over computers to AT or writing  a grant for extra computers. They also bring you up to date about the technology available for libraries. But what impressed me most, was that there was so much freeware already built into Microsoft that could be used right now. Here are some examples of other freeware:  Emacspeak which speaks aloud specific printed information, such as a date. FATBITS is a screen magnifier for Windows XP free for downloading which enlarges the screen area abound the pointer. There’s WordTalk, which is a free text-to-speech software for use with Word 97 and later. Free Cursor enlarges the cursor.  SUITEKeys 1.0 for Microsoft Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, and 2000/XP is a speech recognition system to operate a Windows environment computer, for hands free operation. And then there’s hardware. Scanners can be turned into reading machines with the right software (p.24.) It might be easy to let the amount of information overwhelm, but there is enough at the basic, free level, to make access to everyday computers for seeing and hearing challenged patrons more accessable. Please email me, Cathy, with any topics you’d like to see in a blog. Please contact the Information Services Team if you’d like to check out this  title. Thanks.