Access to information, resources, and the Internet at Moreland City Council’s Coburg Library just got a whole lot easier for people with vision impairment. The library launched its newly acquired ‘adaptive technology’ – a range of resources and software to assist people with vision impairment to access information and library services.
The technology includes Internet access with voice output (JAWS), Kurzweil scanning software, document reading software and Braille.
Moreland Mayor, Councillor Mark Higginbotham said the City of Moreland has an ageing population and a high percentage of residents above the age of 60 years. Some 20 per cent of residents are over 60 years compared with 15 per cent for the Melbourne statistical division.
“The number of people with age related vision impairment is likely to increase with Moreland’s ageing population,” he said. “This increase will further swell the total number of people with vision impairment, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds and do not have the means to independently acquire adaptive technology equipment for their needs.”
Councillor Higginbotham said Moreland’s library service aims to provide equal access to its collections, services and facilities and is committed to improving access for people with vision impairment in order to achieve this parity.
“Providing adaptive technology resources will help the library achieve its aim of offering equal access to its services for people with vision impairment,” he said.
For further information telephone (03) 9353 4000 or email coburglibrary@moreland.vic.gov.au
