Who gets to use a library’s digital collections? For the U.S., where 89.4% of residents have an Internet connection at home, you’d think the majority of communities would have easy access. However, this statistic overlooks a demographic that doesn’t always show up in day-to-day library work: patrons with low to no vision. How can a patron who cannot see find and listen to an audiobook? What assistive technology exists to break down the barrier between library collections and our patrons with visual impairment or blindness? This session covers the why, what, and how library staff can assist these patrons in borrowing and listening to their audiobook collection, demonstrated using the Libby App. Attendees may want to bring a mobile device and headphones to participate in the practice portion of the presentation.
Learning Objectives:
understand why working with a mobile device's native accessibility functions is critical to 21st Century library work.
identify and define accessibility features native to Apple iOS and Android mobile devices.
check out and listen to digital audiobooks using only their hands and ears (no vision required).