Open House Showcases Hennepin
Libraries’ Assistive Technology
Hennepin County Library held an Assistive Technology Open House
at Ridgedale Resource Library. Community partners include Assistive
Technologies of Minnesota and Simon Technology Center of PACER (Parent
Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) Center.
Demonstrations featured new technology and resources that improve
access to the library for people with visual and hearing impairments
as well as those with limited mobility.
Product demonstrations included:
• MAGic Pro, a magnification and speech program for low vision
users. MAGic allows the user to magnify the screen from 2 to 16 times
the original size. MAGic also “talks” to the user, repeating
commands and helping to navigate the screen.
• Open Book, Optical
Character Recognition (OCR) software that scans and reads aloud
mail, books, articles, or other printed forms. Headphones are available;
volume may be adjusted.
• JAWS (Job Access
With Speech) for Windows, is a screen reader (also called Voice
Output Technology). This software is designed for the blind and
allows users to access hyperlinks and content on a Web page.
Other assistive technology equipment demonstrated included sound
amplification systems that can be used in group or individual settings,
alternative computer mice such as the trackball and joystick, closed-captioned
televisions, and height-adjustable desks.
For more information, contact Meg Canada at 952-847-8587.
Lifelong Learning Via Hennepin
County Library
For information about upcoming
activities and current services as well as access to the library’s
catalog, electronic data bases, the Internet, and other resources,
go to www.hclib.org.
More than 2 million books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, and other
materials, plus more than 1,000 computer workstations, are available
to you free of charge at the libraries. Library cards are free. Apply
at any of the 26 suburban Hennepin County libraries (bring a form
of identification) or fill out your application online at www.hclib.org.
Wireless Internet access is available at all 26 libraries.
