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
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