JAWS (which stands for Job Access With Speech) is screen reader software currently available at two branches of the Toronto Public Library: North York Central Library and Toronto Reference Library. JAWS reads aloud the contents of documents and web pages and speaks standard computer functions for someone who is blind or has low vision. Using […]
In one of May's blogs, I directed readers to videos for new users of Kurzweil 3000. I recently located some great documents that will also help you on your way to learning and using this fabulous program. These have been produced by the Inclusive Design Research Centre. The IDRC is "a research and development centre at OCAD University where an international community of open […]
Helen Keller, c. 1904. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (LC-USZ62- 112513) June is Deaf-Blind Awareness Month, designated to celebrate both the achievements of deaf-blind persons and the birth month of Helen Keller. Helen Keller was born June 27th, 1880, and became both blind and deaf at the age of two due to an illness. With […]
Two great events are coming up soon, and Toronto Public Library is pleased to participate in both. The first is People in Motion, which will take place Friday, May 31st and Saturday, June 1st, 10am – 5pm, at the Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place. This show, the largest of its kind in Canada, is for people with disabilities, […]
ARCH Disability Law Centre is a specialty community legal aid clinic dedicated to defending and advancing the equality rights of people with disabilities in Ontario. Recently, ARCH opened a library that is accessible to the public. The ARCH Public Library holds a browsing general collection of current material on disability rights, policy and services together […]
Developmental Services Toronto is holding their 8th Annual Information Fair on Tuesday May 14th. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about services offered to adults with developmental disabilities and their families by agencies, organizations and groups throughout the city. There will be presentations throughout the day, and then, from 2pm – 3pm, a Self-Advocate Social […]
The Toronto Public Library carries many descriptive videos, and now it's easier to find these in our catalogue. What are descriptive videos? They are DVDs or videos "which have been augmented with special narration which describes the action for people who have visual impairments. As a descriptive video plays, it describes the visual elements of […]
The 2013 Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) Conference will take place from Friday, April 26th to Sunday, April 28th at the Cambridge Suites Hotel, downtown Toronto. On Friday, from 10am – 4pm, displays from various vendors, organizations, social groups and service providers will be set up for the public and members. Several presentations and […]
Kurzweil 1000 and 3000 software is available to use at the Toronto Public Library. Kurzweil is software designed to help people with disabilities. Kurzweil 1000 is used by people who are blind or have low vision. Kurzweil 3000 helps people who have learning disabilities such as dyslexia or dysgraphia, and who therefore find it hard to read print or electronic materials on […]
As promised in the last Accessibility Services post, here is more information about ZoomText magnification software. AI Squared, the company that produces ZoomText, has posted some recorded training webinars on its site. For those of you new to the software, the ZoomText New User Introduction Webinar will certainly help get you started! The first video below is the webinar in 2x […]