LEAP (Library Enabling All People)
Available Equipment
Equipment to assist persons with disabilities at Way Public Library is available thanks to a grant from the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.
- Three computers are equipped with adaptive software:
- Enlarges text: reading, doing crafts (no reading glasses needed).
- Uses multiple languages: English as a second language, students learning a foreign language.
- Light touch for mobility: arthritic hands, lack of physical dexterity.
- Reads web pages and books when the person is unable to do so.
- Magnifiers.
- Cassette players.*
- Large print books.*
- Odyssey III interactive talking globe.
- Reading light.
- Merlin closed-circuit TV system for reading, writing and crafts.
- Writing tools.
- Dictating device.
* May be checked out of the library.
- Zoomtext screen magnifier: turns screen into a magnifying glass; won't need reading glasses, great for people with macular degeneration.
- Kurzweil 3000 - scanner reading software can read a book aloud in 5 languages. Great for people hampered with vision difficulties, aids by reading text, good for people with English as a second language.
- JAWS - Job Access With Speech reading information and converts it to speed to build literacy skills.
- Draft:Builder - writing and graphic organizer for essay composition, writing book reports or personal histories.
- Co:Writer - a personal writing assistant with intelligent word prediction. Type a few words (build complete sentences) with fewer keystrokes, builds vocabulary, helps with writer's block.
- Write:Outloud - talking word processor which composes, revises and edits independently.
- IntelliKeys - larger keyboard, helps people learn keyboarding, lighter touch for mobility, for vision difficulties, easier to use than standard mouse.
- Large print books.
- Talking globe - great for geography with detailed information about countries at the touch of a stylus.
- Reading lamp - less glare, great for reading, crafts and hobbies.
- Dragon naturally speaking - voice recognition software loaded on a laptop computer, aids in transcription and dictating.
- Merlin magnifier - closed-circuit TV system for reading and crafts, up to 60x magnification (donated by the Ohio Lions Foundation and the Perrysburg Sunrise Lions Club).
Special thanks to the Ability Center of Greater Toledo, the Perrysburg Exempted Village School District and the Way Public Library Foundation.
The grant committee was comprised of the Way Public Library, the Perrysburg Exempted Village School District, the Sight Center of Northwest Ohio, the Ability Center of Greater Toledo, WGTE-TV 30 Public Broadcasting, the Family Information Network of Northwest Ohio, the Northwest Ohio Special Education Regional Resource Center, and the Perrysburg Heights Community Association.
A brief film demonstrating this equipment (VHS, DVD, CD modes) is available to be checked out of the library. Training also is available, by appointment. For more information or to set up an appointment, contact Debbie DiGennaro, 419-874-3135x109.
