WebJunction

This project from the 2004-2005 grant cycle provided a marvelously broad range of adaptive technology for users of the Preston Public Library; library director Denise Bachand’s research showed that up to 816 persons in the community were able to benefit from this equipment.

Keyboards useful to the physically and visually disabled and screen reading software were key additions to services currently on offer at the library.

Prior to implementing the grant, the library in this rural community had many accessibility features, such parking, clear paths of travel, accessible workstations and public service desks, accessible restrooms and drinking fountains as well as Braille signage. This project enables the institution to more fully realize an environment free of barriers.

The library also completed customer service training for library staff and created and distributed promotional materials.

The library leveraged funding from project partner Eastern Federal Bank with $6,459 LSTA dollars to provide for an Optelec Clearview hand-held video magnifier, BigShot screen magnification software, a handheld PocketViewer cctv enlarger, three Pocket Talker systems consisting of microphones and hearing-aid compatible earphones; a TTY device (Ultratec), an Epson SVGA projection unit, self-help lipreading video, Dragon Naturally Speaking and OutSPOKEN software, and a Microtek flatbed scanner are all available for users..

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