When you go into a public
library is nice to know that you can borrow Assistive Technology. Most
libraries provide some Assistive Technology for patrons that have some sort of disability.
Some older patrons who start losing their vision or their hearing feel that going
to the library is no longer for them but with the libraries providing assistive
technology like iPads that have apps that can help patrons that have hearing
loss or vision loss. Some libraries provide training for staff so they can help
patrons on how to use this type of technology. The school librarians should
also be knowledgeable about how assistive technology is being used with students
who have an IEP (Individual Education Program) in the school districts. School
librarians could provide access to services for teachers to help their
students.
These are assistive technology
that a patron can use if they have trouble seeing. My son uses an iPad to do his
homework in middle school but for his transition into High School it was put in
place in his IEP, to make sure he gets a Chrome book for his use with his
homework. I’m not sure if he is going to be aloud to bring it home, I know that
my other kids used it at school to do most of their work.
Works Cited:
Using Assistive Technology
to Meet Diverse Learners Needs
Kurtts, S., Dobbins, N., & Takemae, N. (2012).
Using assistive technology to meet diverse learners needs. Library Media Connection, 30(4),
22-23.
You Too! – Assistive
Technology
Barden, M. (2018). You Too! - Assistive
Technology. Library Journal, 143(19), 10.
Last semester I focused on students with disabilities as an underserved population. The school libraries I have been in do not appear to be very accessible, it least not from an observation viewpoint. It would be great if librarians could collaborate with special education teachers at the beginning of the year to learn about students' disabilities and how to best meet their needs in the library.
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