LIS 600 CURRENT ISSUES PAPER Kyle Butler February 19, 2010

HOW LIBRARIES SERVE THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

For most people, a trip to the local public library is a simple and comfortable experience. We can walk in, browse various sections that interest us, study a variety of titles, and if necessary, access the librarys computerized catalog to find a particular work. Or we can sit down at a computer and with a few clicks of a mouse, surf any website we want. Its usually a trouble-free trip in which the only issue is seeing the book, magazine, or net page we want. But what if we couldnt see at all? Over one million people in the United States alone are blind, with an estimated 50,000 expected to become blind every year. (Glauber 2010) However, this statistic does not take into account the number of people with mild to severe visual impairment. The range of vision problems may include conditions such as myopia or nearsightedness to diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration, which severely limit vision. For everyone with vision difficulties, the ability to access information can be a monumental task. Considering the mission of most libraries is to provide equitable access to information for all its community users, how well are libraries able to achieve this task when it comes to the visually impaired? What are the most important challenges that both librarians and those with vision problems face? How well are libraries meeting these challenges? What technologies are currently available to these patrons, and are they sufficient? Finally, with an increasing number of budget issues, should libraries be expected to make all assistive technologies available?

TRADITIONAL MATERIALS CURRENTLY IN USE The history of interaction between the library and the visually impaired goes back more than three quarters of a century. The Pratt-Smoot Act of 1931 established a national library program for the blind, and a national library service for the blind is still overseen by the Library of Congress. Today, over 800,000
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individuals and organizations obtain reading materials in both Braille and audio formats. (Rossman & Durivage, 2009) While that statistic sounds impressive, offering books available in Braille is only useful if the visually impaired in the librarys user community can actually read the language. A recent report issued by the National Federation for the Blind (NFB) states that only 10% of legally blind Americans are Braille literate. (Glauber 2010) One could then question the merits of a library offering resources in a language that the vast majority of blind people cannot take advantage of. Why not concentrate on audio books that dont require anything but a set of headphones? Those are legitimate concerns, considering the current economic climate and its effect on budgets. However, other libraries could offer a different solution. Rather than decreasing the availability of Braille books, another alternative would be to assist with the NFBs efforts to increase Braille literacy levels by maintaining an adequate collection of these resources. After all, the NFB recently reported a significant statistic, revealing that only 30% of blind people are employed, but 80% of those which are employed know Braille. Aiding Americans without jobs was a key component of the American Library Associations (ALA) recent request to Congress for $100 million in stimulus funding. Helping push Braille literacy may be a strong use for some of these funds. As Audio and Braille Literacy Enhancement (ABLE) director Cheryl Orgas recently put it, Braille is attached to literacy and to success in employment. (Glauber 2010) NEW TECHNOLOGICAL MATERIALS Regardless of what a library decides when it comes to offering Braille books, there are plenty of hi-tech options available for the blind to take advantage of. The 21st century has brought with it a wide range of technological materials that are helping the visually impaired access more information than ever before. Many libraries are playing a significant role in helping provide these new innovations to those who need them. Visually impaired residents in nine states (California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon, Texas, and Vermont) can access audiobooks online through the Unabridged Service for free, primarily through the support of state libraries for the blind. (Audiobook Library 2008) These books can be discovered and downloaded by those with limited vision thanks to specialized JAWS software, which uses a synthesizer to assist a user who cannot see the links and words on a web page. When someone highlights a link, the computer speaks the word out, thereby allowing the consumer to click on the appropriate topic of interest. Other
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technological breakthroughs that greatly benefit the visually impaired include a touchable online Braille generator and a Braille Notetaker. Many libraries correctly point out that rising costs make it difficult for them to provide such programs. Certainly, many of the available software programs are pricey, and therefore, not feasible for many libraries. Yet, in the case of the Notetaker, the only requirements are the purchase of a $20 mouse and a computer with internet access. (Jeong, 2008) Additionally, software that enables a user to expand the size of text on screen along with special keyboards with large print may not serve those afflicted with total blindness, but would help those with limited vision. These products are also relatively inexpensive and certainly beneficial to the disabled. One of the main purposes of a library is to help disseminate information for its user community, and without making at least some of these technologies available, it becomes difficult for the library to achieve this objective. ACCESS ISSUES FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED Ideally, anyone who plans to become a librarian fundamentally believes in equitable access to all. The ALA Code of Ethics states that librarians provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests. (Code of Ethics, 2006) The provision of equitable access is not only the principled thing to do, its the law. Federal regulations such as the Americans for Disabilities Act require all facilities to be reasonably accommodating to the disabled. Obviously, being reasonably accommodating to the disabled is a starting point, but it goes nowhere toward solving the issues of equality. In 2006, a study of the Mississippi Library systems pointed out that it isnt enough to be in compliance with federal regulations or to simply offer access. The library must get out and promote these materials so that patrons with disabilities know they exist and can therefore take advantage of them. (Phillips, 2006) Sometimes, the lack of promotion isnt the problem, but rather, the ability of the visually impaired to access the information. Many library websites are not user-friendly to people with poor vision. Several pages do not provide alternative text functions for images on screen, meaning patrons with screen reader technology will literally be left in the dark. Librarian Diane Murley points out that other sites dont use the proper HTML markups when posting links, which again renders screen readers useless. (Murley, 2008) Unquestionably, updating these websites would require a great deal of work and may appear overwhelming at
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first glance. However, Mrs. Murley mentions that it doesnt necessarily have to be a daunting task, and if librarians simply focus on making their websites most important pages compatible for sight reader technologies, that in itself is an enormous help. (Murley, 2008) The rest of the site can be upgraded when facilities have more time and money to undertake such a challenge.

PERSPECTIVE OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED One of the difficulties in providing access to the visually impaired is taking into account all the different levels of limitations to ones sight. Again, the range of vision impairments is extensive. While I certainly dont wish to dismiss the severity of any vision impairment, undoubtedly no one requires as much assistance as those who suffer from total blindness. Understanding the special needs of the blind and what they feel would improve their library experience is critical. Many blind library users acknowledge and appreciate the progress libraries have made in adjusting to their needs over the years. One patron, Katherine Schneider, loves the library and writes glowingly of the significant improvements branches have made over the past three decades. She explains that in order to receive the amount of information needed, she requires librarians who are familiar with all good sources, and who can make strong recommendations of books and magazines that cover her interests. Additionally, Schneider stresses the importance of making all the various technologies available for access as a necessary function of libraries in order to possess the best possible services (Schneider, 2008). While Schneiders approach appears to be geared more toward interactions on the local level, another blind persons perspective takes a broader outlook. Kevin Carey wants to turn the library system into a global structure. This oneworld system for libraries would create single-source file formats and establish a global generic information right. (Carey, 2007) This certainly sounds like a direction that libraries will gravitate towards in the future, considering the worlds recent trend of consolidating resources. Nevertheless, this idea leads to a number of questions. Who decides what this global right is, and who maintains the system? Censorship issues also come into play, as some nations may object to certain kinds of materials being made available. Furthermore, who pays for the

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substantial costs of training librarians to use the system and to interact with an enormous diversity of users? LOOKING TO THE FUTURE My original interest in exploring this topic stemmed from attending a recent seminar at UNCGs Access and Equity Conference on Technology for Services to People With Disabilities. The first two segments of the program focused on the new technological aspects that are revolutionizing the way the disabled can interact with others and access information. Yet, it was the final segment which was the most telling, when a representative from the Greensboro Public Library spoke positively of all the innovations from the previous segments, before regrettably pointing out that the public library simply did not possess the necessary funds to provide these materials. I feel thats really the key to this whole situation. However, the cash shortage isnt merely a Greensboro predicament, its a nationwide crisis. The American Library Association recently reported that public libraries are facing their largest cutbacks in decades, affecting salaries, services, and even the facilities themselves. (Roberts 2008) Its undoubtedly a difficult situation for a library to be in, with more amazing programs at their fingertips than ever before, but no means to secure them. Despite tightening budgets, librarians cannot forget their patrons with disabilities. There are ways for facilities to meet the needs of the visually impaired without breaking the bank. Librarians have an obligation to ensure that everybody who needs it can have access to the collections and databases. They can run a needs assessment of their user community to determine if some of the more expensive technologies are essential additions. In any case, libraries should provide some basic assistive programs for the blind. A library may find it unnecessary to equip every computer with JAWS software, but at least a few of the computers should include screen reader technology and/or large font options. Additionally, I believe all library websites need to be upgraded to where they are easily manageable for those with limited vision. This can be accomplished through utilizing the aforementioned programs or by simply eliminating unnecessary clutter on the screen. Along with such technological upgrades, the relationship between librarians and the visually impaired should work both ways. In his perspective,
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Kevin Carey writes that the traditional relationship is top-down and at armslength (Carey, 2007). While librarians need to possess a better knowledge of special needs for the blind, the blind should also have a better understanding of their own needs, and be able to express them. If librarian and patron can form a collaborative relationship, the experience will be mutually beneficial for both parties. CONCLUSION There is no doubt that the library plays an essential role as one of the main outlets of information available to the visually impaired. The ability of libraries to provide assistance has skyrocketed thanks to the amazing advances in the world of technology. The question now becomes whether libraries will continue to deliver these options in a world of budget cuts and economic recessions. The bottom line is that libraries must make a choice. They can adhere to the letter of the law, and provide the minimum requirements in supplying access to the blind. Or they can take extra steps to ensure as much quality as they are capable of providing. The latter method clearly stands as the better option, and one that will ensure the relationship between libraries and the visually impaired continues to be one of mutual appreciation.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Audiobook Library Website Enriches Blind Users' Lives. (2008). American Libraries. 39, (10), 65. Carey, K. (2007). The Opportunities and Challenges of the Digital Age: A Blind User's Perspective. Library Trends. 55, (4) 767-784. "Code of Ethics," American Library Association, July 7, 2006.
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/statementspols/codeofethics/codeethics.cfm

(Accessed March 8, 2010) Glauber, B. (2010, February 2). Braille Illiteracy Is A Growing Problem. Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel. Retrieved from
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/83312802.html

Jeong, W. (2008). Touchable Online Braille Generator. Information Technology and Libraries. 27 (1), 48-52. Murley, D. (2008). Web Site Accessibility. Law Library Journal. 100, (2), 401-406. Phillips, J.J. (2006). Making Materials for the Blind and Visually Impaired Visible in the Library's Catalog and Web Site. Mississippi Libraries. 70, (2), 34-35. Roberts III, W.A. (2008). ALA Seeks $100 Million in Stimulus Funding as U.S. Libraries Face Critical Cutbacks. College and Research Libraries News. 69, (11), 738. Rossman, L., & Durivage, C.A. (2009). InfoEyes Information Service: A Virtual Reference Service for Print-Impaired Individuals. The Reference Librarian. 50 (1), 7384. Schneider, K. (2008). I Love Libraries, and Im Blind. Library Journal. 133, (12), 43.

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