Making an Accessible Accessibility Resource Fair at the Andrew Heiskell Library
by Jill Rothstein, Chief Librarian, Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book LibraryNovember 17, 2014
So, how did we end up with 250 people, the Mayor's office, Lincoln Center, Google, a bunch of dogs, and lots of talking computers filling our space for 6 hours in October? Well, like most libraries, the Andrew Heiskell Library believes that information is power. We work to not only provide talking books, braille, reference and referrals to our patrons, but workshops and coachings in assistive technology from screenreaders to iPhones to cool and helpful apps for independent living. To that end we've sometimes held an assistive technology day. This year though, we wanted to fete a city (and a community) that has so much more to offer in addition to assistive technology. We want to be a gateway to accessible resources for all aspects of life, and so we held the first Technology, Culture, and Community Fair for People who are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Physically Disabled, welcoming 32 vendors, 16 featured speakers, and over 200 attendees.
We were happy to host a broad spectrum of organizations and offerings this year. Assistive technology companies showed off CCTVs, text-to-speech devices, a talking atlas, and 3D, touchable, verbally annotated versions of famous paintings. Many cultural institutions were there, including the Museum of Modern Art, which brought moving sculpture to interact with, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which brought samples from their seeing through drawing program.Healing Arts initiative passed out this season’s schedule of described Broadway theater. Advocacy organizations including the National Federation of the Blind, the American Council of the Blind and Pedestrians for Accessible and Safe Streets spoke with attendees about the civil rights work that they do as blind and low-vision people speaking and advocating for themselves. Recreation opportunities for people of all abilities were presented from Brooklyn's adaptive ice- and rock- climbing group and the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities' beep baseball organizers.
Patrons filled the floor chatting with vendors and with each other, guide dogs met in the aisles, and optical character recognition machines chirped away. Periodically we interrupted the goings-on to announce one of our showcase speaker sessions including a panel of blind and visual impaired professionals (chemist, artist, lawyer), an update from the Google accessibility team, and career help for people with disabilities from NYPL's Job Search Central.
One of our main rooms with crowds gathered around vendor tables.
The Rubin Museum shows off some touchable materials including a seated Buddha sculpture, cast bronze Buddha head, a ritual bell, and prayer beads.
In an effort to make the fair as universally accessible as possible, we worked hard on details. We made sure that all tables were clearly identified in high-contrast white-on-black large print, braille labels, and a scannable QR code for smartphones. Tables were covered in high-contrast cloths so that literature and objects were clearly visible against the background. We provided a spatially descriptive sequential list of all exhibitors in print and braille that could be followed in a logical order around the physical space, distributed the showcase agenda in large print, braille and electronic formats, and worked with exhibitors to ensure that their brochures were all available in large print, braille and electronic formats. (We made many runs to our practically smoking braille embosser that day as we watched the turnout go higher and higher than expected.) Building signage was added in high contrast white-on-black print, and soft, armless seating was available for breaks. We made sure, as always, to make aisles wide enough and event spaces clear enough to assure enough space for wheelchair users. Also, the event was advertised not only in print and online, but as an audio radio spot (thanks to Gatewave radio) played on the air and linked to in social media and event listings. Volunteer greeters helped with guidance and directions as needed, and we were able to offer a small amount of Spanish and French translation on demand (hopefully more in the future).
Creative Adaptations for Learning displays tactile learning kits and braille books with tactile graphics
One of the speaker sessions that took place in our children's room. This one is ICanConnect, the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distributors, presenting to a full audience.
A big thank you goes out to everyone who joined us that day, and for those of you who couldn't be here in person, we want to provide resources for you as well. Included below you will find audio recordings of each speaker session (as well as video for the ICanConnect presentation which includes simultaneous American Sign Language). After that you will find a list of the organizations in attendance with links to their websites. Additionally, if you would like to get the literature distributed by vendors that day, email talkingbooks@nypl.org and we will share the Google folder of electronic copies with you.
We’re looking forward to making this an annual event, and sharing the latest in accessible culture, community resources, and technology again next year. We know that there’s always room for improvement, and we want your feedback. To make suggestions about next year’s exhibitors, speakers or logistics, please email us at talkingbooks@nypl.org.
Session 1: Information Literacy for Everyone
Including ICanConnect -The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (Note that this speaker also is available as a video with ASL translation below); Lighthouse Guild International Technology Demo Center; Computer Center for Visually Impaired People at Baruch College; The Andrew Heiskell Library's Peer Technology Coaches.
Including Ed Plumacher, Assistive Technology Professional; Brooke Fox, Musician and Director of Visionary Media; Kate Carroll, Acessibility Advocate and Attorney; Cary Supalo, chemistry professor and CEO of Indepenedence Science; and the NYPL's Job Search Central.
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While the official touring season ended in October at the Peconic Landing Sculpture Garden, it is a gallery open worldwide that never closes with its accessible audio tour. The "Art Without Barriers: What You Hear Is What You See" exhibit catalog is at http://www.peconiclanding.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Sculpture-Catalog-2014.pdf. Podcasts describing some of the sculptures can be downloaded from iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/peconic-landing-sculpture/id865552516?mt=2.
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Comments
Peconic Landing Sculpture Garden with accessible audio tour
Submitted by Cheryl Slavinsky (not verified) on November 20, 2014 - 12:47pm