[WEB4LIB] Re: Budget for Accessible Web Workstation

[Patricia F Anderson]

Hi, Karen,

You may be interested in what services and software are provided for a
larger ADA computing center at the UNiversity of Michigan:

http://www.umich.edu/~sites/info/atcs/

I can also personally speak well of the software package ZoomText (for
visually impaired users who are not blind). Also keep in mind that there
are preferred web browsers for visually impaired users. It has been a
couple years since I looked at them, but for some reason I *think* the hot
one then was ... Opera? Does that sound right, folks?

Another thought -- I think Wright State has a large number of either
visually impaired or hearing impaired students (I forget which). I could
put you in touch with someone I know there ... You might also want to
check for schools that specialize in certain types of students.

Good luck!

Pat Anderson, Dentistry Library, pfa at umich.edu

PS - When you finish this, please put up a web site about your choices and
let us know! It would be great to have a group of these. 

On Sat, 28 Oct 2000, Barbara Gellis Shapiro wrote:

> Hi,
> 
> I'n no expert either, but the Dept of Defense has a helpful site for
> making websites and workstations accessible:
> 
> http://www.tricare.osd.mil/cap/
> 
> It does not list specific products, but it does give you an idea of
> types of products that can help in various situations.
> 
> Another site: The Job Accommodation Network
> http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/english/homeus.htm
> 
> is a free service, and may have information on specific products and
> costs.
> 
> Barbara
> 
> "Karen G. Schneider" wrote:
> > 
> > Hi, I have just been asked today (Sat.) if I can get a budget together for
> > an accessible web workstation for our public Internet areas... by early next
> > week, of course.  :-)  A group is interested in donating funds for creating
> > such a workstation.
> > 
> > The idea is that this would be an Internet and Microsoft Office workstation
> > which would address needs of the visually challenged, folks with low
> > mobility, etc.  (The "etc." being the area that I am either only casually
> > familiar with or do not realize is something we should provide... e.g. I am
> > aware text-to-voice software would be a good idea, but which package?)  This
> > makes a lot of sense since we don't get a LOT of people in who have special
> > needs, but we do get a variety.  Most our workstations are
> > wheelchair-accessible, and of course this one will be too.
> > 
> > I realize there are great websites out there where I could assemble great
> > amounts of information and select all kinds of products.  What I am looking
> > for here is a "leg up": if you've done such a project recently, and have a
> > list of what you bought and ideally what it cost, that would be great.  (can
> > you hear my voice crack as I beg...)
> > 
> > This will almost certainly be a Windows 2000 workstation running IE and
> > Office 2000.
> > 
> > pitifully grateful,
> > 
> > Karen G. Schneider kgs at bluehighways.com
> > Assistant Director, Shenendehowa Public Library, NY
> > http://www.shenpublib.org
> > Schneider's Law: Information flows along the path of least resistance.
> > (Schneider's Corollary: Get over it.)
> 
> -- 
> ............................................
> Barbara G. Shapiro   (mailto:barbara at gate.net)
> Barbara's News Researchers Grafitti Pages
>  -- http://www.gate.net/~barbara/index.html
> ............................................
> "Life is what happens to you while you're
>  busy making other plans."     -- John Lennon
> ............................................
>