Assistive Technology For Those Who Are Mobility

Impaired

Jaclyn Lee Parrott

Mobility, Technology, AccessibilityStandards and LawsLibraries in ParticularAssistive DevicesPeopleSupporting Assistive TechnologyResources

OUTLINE

How one is able to move their body within an environment,

between environments, and their ability to manipulate objects

When an environment’s demands are beyond someone’s mobility

resources, they may be unable to participate

MOBILITY

INDIRECT: Therapy that helps improve mobility through

repairing it

DIRECT: Machinery or equipment like wheelchairs,

canes, or walkers that provides physical assistance

TECHNOLOGY TREATMENT

The greatest number of people should benefit from

being able to utilize the most resources

ACCESSIBILITY

According to the U.S. Census in 2000, 49 million people have a disability of some kind

This is 19.3% of the United States population who are 5 years or older

They are the most diverse minority group

8.2% are mobility impaired4.8% say their physical condition makes

it hard to concentrate, learn, or remember things

Almost 60% of people with a disability have never used a computer

Statistics

A disability results from the user, technology, and

environment interaction

World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability,

and Health framework

All federal buildings must be accessible for people with

disabilities

Architectural Barriers Act of 1968

The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of

disability in programs conducted by Federal agencies, in programs

receiving Federal financial assistance, in Federal

employment, and in the employment practices of Federal

contractors.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973

The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in

employment, State and local government, public

accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and

telecommunications..

Americans with Disabilities

Act of 1990 (ADA)

“(A) In general. For purposes of paragraph (1), major life activities

include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks,

seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending,

speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking,

communicating, and working.

Major Life Activities

“(B) Major bodily functions. For purposes of paragraph (1), a major

life activity also includes the operation of a major bodily function,

including but not limited to, functions of the immune system,

normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine,

and reproductive functions.

The library has the responsibility to provide materials “for the

interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves.” 

A person's right to use the library should not be denied or abridged

because of disabilities.

ALA Library Bill of Rights: “Services to Person’s with Disabilities”

Consistent standards are in place to make sure public accommodations

are made for those that are disabled.

Everyone should be able to benefit from goods and services that are

provided through these facilities if they are offered unless they pose a

direct threat to others safety.

ADA Standards for Accessible Design

“any portion of buildings, structures, sites, complexes,

equipment, rolling stock or other conveyances, roads, walks,

passageways, parking lots, or other real or personal property,

including the site where the building, property, structure, or

equipment is located.”

Facilities affected include:

Ramps should be installedShelves repositionedFurniture rearrangedTelephones repositionedDoors widenedAccessible door hardware installedToilet seats installed with grab barsRaised toilet seats installed

Remove Barriers to Access

Full length mirrors providedReachable paper towel dispenser

Burns prevented by insulating lavatory pipes

Water fountains installed with accessible paper cup dispensers

Display layouts adjustedTables rearrangedDense carpet removed

Accessible entrance considered highest priority

with ramps

Van Accessible Parking Spaces

Appropriate signage

Wheelchair seating spacesCorridorsFloorsElevatorsRampsLiftsWalkways

Accessible Emergency Routes Unobstructed

Reading and study areasReference roomsCheck out areasSpecial CollectionsMagazine DisplaysCard catalogs (if applicable)

LIBRARIES

Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped

Talking Books

Non-tilting chairsLarge monitorsAlternate keyboardsTrackballsJoysticksDigital playback equipmentPrint-on-demand machinesCorrectly designed websitesSpeech recognition software

ASSISTIVE DEVICES

Dragon Speech Recognition Software

Wrist Wizard

“Congress acknowledged that society’s accumulated

myths and fears about disability and disease are as

handicapping as are the physical limitations that flow

from actual impairment.”

Speak directly to the person Make eye contact with them even if they have attendant

Ask how they would like assistanceLet them guide youDo not be afraid to ask questionsRespect their privacy regarding their disability

ALA’s Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA)

ObtainingStaff trainingMarketingLibrary School

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Library Handouts Website LinksEducationConferencesLibrariesBusiness

RESOURCES

Thank You…

QUESTIONS?