NCSU Libraries Focus Online

Volume 21 number 2 - Winter 2001

By Katherine Dexter, Research and Information Services

In the last year, the NCSU Libraries' Assistive Technologies Center (ATC), located on the mezzanine in the D. H. Hill Library, has upgraded its technology dramatically to provide ongoing, high-quality service to individuals with disabilities who need to use library resources. The ATC is one of the most advanced facilities of its kind at NC State, and it plays an important role in ensuring that students with disabilities have convenient and independent access to library materials and equipment they need to succeed at NC State. The ATC is open during the D. H. Hill Library's hours of operation and is available to any member of the NC State community who has a need for the information technologies it provides.

Changes and improvements in assistive technology occur rapidly. It is a recurring challenge to maintain awareness of upgrades and ensure that the latest hardware and software is available in the ATC. David DeFoor and Katherine Dexter of the Research and Information Services Department oversee ATC operations. DeFoor, a computing consultant, has primary responsibility for technical support. During the past year, he has upgraded existing equipment and deployed new assistive technologies. Dexter, the disability services coordinator, has worked with DeFoor to implement software improvements, such as the new versions of screen-reader software JAWS, pwWebSpeak, and IBM HomePage Reader. This type of software provides voice output of electronic text, whether a Web page or a word-processing document. A new Kurzweil voice output system is also available in the ATC, allowing users to scan a document and receive voice output of the text. Updated versions of voice input dictation software (Dragon Naturally Speaking), as well as screen magnification software (ZoomText), have also been deployed.

Another new piece of equipment in the ATC is an updated closed circuit television, which is a magnification device for those with visual impairments. It is attached to a computer and allows a user to view a split screen--one part of the screen displays an electronic document (such as a word-processing document or Web page), and the other part allows a magnified view of a physical object such as a book or journal article. This enables a user with a visual impairment to write a paper using word-processing software while simultaneously consulting a magnified view of a reference source for the paper, such as a book.

Plans for the near future include deploying a Braille printer (along with text-to-Braille translation software) in the ATC and a refreshable Braille display so users can read online text in Braille. Regular updating of existing software as new versions become available is also a priority in the ATC. Assistive technology is an important and dynamic area of interest on campus, and the ATC will continue to provide the latest in assistive technologies to the NC State community. For more information about the ATC, visit its Web site: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/risd/atc/.