Printed material poses definite challenges for people who
are blind or partially sighted. I often struggle with this. Even though I have
some sight, I can’t see print and in a world geared to people who are sighted,
print seems to appear everywhere. How
then to overcome the challenge and to open the doors of the printed world for
people who can’t see? In other words, how to give universal print access to
all.
In the just over thirty years since my own initial sight
loss, I have encountered many changes. As you have likely read in my previous
posts, I am currently struggling with learning new technology on my computer. I
think it will be some time before I master this!
In the meantime, I continue to enjoy recreational reading.
This is possible because I am a CNIB Library client. Each week, I receive three
books from the main library in Toronto. These come to me postage free. The CNIB
Library in conjunction with Canada Post has been offering this service for just
over one hundred years. Initially the library began as a small reading room
with books in braille. The next step was recorded books on 78 RPM records. I
know some people who used this antiquated mode to access their reading material
and to me it sounded quite awkward. When I joined the library, books were sent
on cassette tapes. Now my books come each on a single CD. I am constantly
amazed that whole books, some quite lengthy, can be recorded in this way. I use
a small device called a Victor Stream Reader to listen. (Victor Stream is a
product of Humanware, a company whose logo, See Things Differently is
definitely designed to bridge the gap towards universal print access for people
who are print disabled.)
The CNIB Library has a number of different departments. For
instance, it offers book services in braille. There is a section for children
and juveniles. When I was a student I used the research section. If clients
wish to do so, they can download books, magazines and newspapers on their
computers and other devices. It is all a
great step forward to universal print access.
This past week when Lyle and I were in Waikiki, we came
across a library designated for people who were blind or physically
handicapped. I was curious enough to go inside to see what the library had to
offer. I learned from the librarian on duty that they had three computers with
Zoomtext and JAWS programs. If people wished to become library clients and gain
access to audible books, they needed to fill out an application form with a
signed medical certificate. Clients could then place a book order which the
library would send off to the national library in Washington. The client would
then need to wait for the order to be processed before he/she could pick up the
book at the local branch. Personally, I thought it was a bit convoluted and I
came away appreciating the Canadian system.
There is a picture with this post. It shows me standing
beside the library sign which reads
State of Hawaii
Department of Education
LIBRARY for the BLIND and
PHYSICALLY
HANDICAPPED
Hawaii State Public
Library System
The very good part about this picture is that I am wearing
shorts and t-shirt, something I am unable to do outside now that we are back in
the winter weather of Alberta.
 |
| Sue standing beside the sign |
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