Accessibility Tools
Accessibility Tools
Would assistive technologies make your use of the library more rewarding? In addition to text enlargers at five branches, our computers are now equipped with many new accessibility features.
Aroga Merlin Text Enlarger
The Aroga Merlin Text Enlarger features brightly lit large screen with moveable or stationary platform, custom text blocking, use of lines to assist with tracking of text, background colour change options. It is available at the following branches: Central, Terryberry, Turner Park, Red Hill and Dundas.
Accessibility Software on Computers
HPL has begun to replace 17” monitors with 19” to improve the viewing experience for all customers, including ones with visual impairments.
All new public computers include the following accessible software tools:
• NVDA (Screen Reader) NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) is a screen reader for the Microsoft Windows operating system. Providing feedback via synthetic speech and Braille, it enables blind or vision impaired people to access computers running Windows.
• DesktopZoom DesktopZoom is a zoom/magnify program with lots ofoptions. Zoom an area around the mouse, zoom a fixed window or zoom the entire desktop. Use the mouse inside the zoomed window. Use the mouse wheel or arrow keys to adjust the magnification strength.
• Magnifier (Windows XP) Magnifier is a display utility that makes the computer screen more readable by people who have low vision by creating a separate window that displays a magnified portion of the screen. Magnifier provides a minimum level of functionality for people who have slight visual impairments.
• On-Screen Keyboard (Windows XP)On–Screen Keyboard is a utility that displays a virtual keyboard on the computer screen that allows people with mobility impairments to type data by using a pointing device or joystick. Besides providing a minimum level of functionality for some people with mobility impairments, On–Screen Keyboard can also help people who do not know how to type.
• Accessible Keyboard with trackballs Each service point where public computers are located, a minimum of one accessible keyboard will be available for customers to use.
