Services for persons with visual impairment
- OPTELEC: The closed circuit television (CCTV) magnifies text and images up to 60 times its original size. The Optelec may be adjusted for different background colors and also has a negative/positive switch to reverse the black/white image on the screen.
- COMPUTER: RCPL has two. First computer offers ZoomText, a screen magnification program. It features a 22 inch NEC MultiSync FE 1250 monitor, which helps to enhance the visibility for low-vision patrons. The second computer offers: JAWS (Job Access With Speech)*, which operates by reading aloud text that appears on the computer screen and OPENBook, which allows printed documents or graphic based text to be converted into an electronic text format using accurate optical character recognition and quality speech. Both computers offer access to Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Word); Horizon (RCPL library catalog); Library Databases and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
- KURZWEIL READER: The reader is a bi-directional scanner that combines Optical Character Recognition (O. C. R.) technology with a high-quality speech synthesizer. The reader allows persons who are blind, visually impaired or learning disabled to access printed or typed (not handwritten) materials. After a page is scanned, the text is digitized and “read” in one of nine reading voices. Equipment is located behind the second floor Reference Desk.
In addition, the Richland County Public Library offers large print books, CDs and recorded books on cassette. The Large Print collection is located on the second level of Main Library. Audio visual materials are located in 1431, located on the first level of Main Library.
*Staff will refer patron to other local agencies for JAWS training.
Services for persons with hearing impairment
- TTY: The Miniprint 425 is a text telephone (sometimes referred to as a TTY or a TDD) for use by persons with hearing impairment. The TTY is easy to use. Simply dial the telephone number for the relay operator and place the telephone handset into the acoustic cups of the Miniprint 425. The relay operator will respond and begin the call. The text of the telephone conversation may be printed out using the print feature.
Additional Resources
Other Local Special Needs Agencies and Organizations
