[NFBWV-Talk] FWD:Article from Martinsburg Journal Home Section 2024 10 16

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From: Article from Martinsburg Journal Home Section 2024 10 16
Date: 2024-10-16T23:00:17
Subject: publications at nfbnewsline.net
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Charles Town Library purchases iPad to assist those with visual, reading disabilities CHARLES TOWN - The Charles Town Library is expanding services to those who are visually impaired or have reading differences with a new iPad that will assist them with reading. The iPad was purchased through a grant from the National Federation of the Blind, a move that was spearheaded by Keryl Rustin, president of the Eastern Panhandle Chapter, who is visually impaired. "Before the pandemic started in 2020, Keryl Rustin, who is visually impaired and is also now the president (of the National Federation of the Blind's Eastern Panhandle Chapter), she was instrumental in trying to get funding to have some kind of device for those who are either visually impaired or who have some sort of learning difficulties, like dyslexia ... so anybody who has reading differences, learning differences, visual differences, we were looking for a device," said Marcella Genz, director of the Charles Town Library. In the last several years, since the library started working toward getting a device, those devices have gotten smaller and cheaper. That pushed the library to apply for funding from the National Federation of the Blind. "Interestingly enough, six years ago, there were really only these huge, sort of big, clunky devices out there that cost significant amounts of money. Time passes and technology gets better, so a little iPad device or the smartphone can do sort of everything that somebody who is having all of these difficulties can use to overcome these things," Genz said. "So, the iPad here is really, I think, more for people who come to the library and who are having problems reading, so this can help by using the camera to read a page, and then, the device will read a page to them. So, it can also read to somebody who is dyslexic, so somebody who is trying to learn to read could use this as a device to read along with. "They can come to the library and try out things and then see if they actually want to get some device for themselves, because I do believe that ultimately, having your own personal device, if you're using it a great deal of the time, makes a lot more sense than using the device at the library. The library's main goal is to give those with visual impairments and reading differences the same opportunities as everyone else through use of the iPad, which features several apps, including One Step Reader, a text-recognition tool that provides text-to-speech, text-to-Braile and text highlighting for those with low vision or dyslexia. "The key word here is accessibility. What we're always trying to do is make information - not just reading but information - accessible to all who desire information, which I hope is everybody," Genz said. "We are living in the information age, after all, so (it's about) accessibility, providing equal opportunities to people who perhaps don't have devices. Among the other apps that can be used are Seeing AI, Natural Reader, Voice Dream Radar, Vision for Blind People, Sign School and Microsoft Translator, which is available for people communicating with those who speak a different language. "It's very beneficial, because now, in today's age and time, a device such as this, to help people, is, in my opinion, mandatory, because not only is a device such as this going to help people who are visually impaired and blind, but also, it's going to help people who are dyslexic," said Rustin, who helped the Martinsburg Public Library get a similar device about a decade ago. "Ten, 12 years ago, that device was mainly for people who were visually impaired or blind, whereby, now, with the new technology, it can actually spawn into so many other different areas, whereby, the library is so integral as far as reaching out to the community and sharing with the community that something like this is available. There are many people who cannot afford a device such as this on their own. Genz said the library staff is available to help anyone who needs assistance with the iPad and the apps. "We're happy to basically instruct people on how to use this device. Say, for example, you have your own smartphone, which is basically just a smaller version of the iPad with a telephone, but you don't really know about these apps that do exist to help. We can talk to you about them, demonstrate them to you, that kind of thing," Genz said. Genz said the goal is to eventually purchase another iPad, which would be available to be checked out. It all depends on how much the current iPad is used. "We're hoping that if this takes off, we can get another one, so it can be checked out for people," she said. "If, and when, we decide that we need a second one, we will work together (with Rustin) to get additional funding. This article is provided to you as a courtesy of NFB-NEWSLINE??? Online for your sole use. 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