Adelaide City Council is improving disability access to library resources, by providing homebound clients with e-reader devices on an ongoing basis.
The Homebound iPad Buddy Program launched at the end of March, after a successful trial last year.
“It’s just one way Council is striving to meet the changing needs of our members and responding to new library trends,” Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said.
The service will provide home bound clients with impaired mobility and vision, equal access to the library’s vast e-collection of more than 10,000 digital titles.
“It’s the largest range of free e-books in South Australia and it will be topped up with new items each month,” Stephen said.
Each client will be paired with an iPad Buddy volunteer to make sure they have access to the e-books, interactive apps and information they are interested in.
Dignity for Disability MP Kelly Vincent said the e-reader service will not only make reading a book easier, it will provide opportunities for greater social interaction for people living in care.
ACC library member, Annette Copley, who suffers poor eyesight and arthritis in her hands, participated in the Homebound iPad Buddy trial program.
“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to use an iPad; as an older person I hadn’t had that opportunity and I was envious of younger people,” Ms Copley said.
E-reader devices such as the iPad enable Homebound clients to increase the font size of an e-book and use audio capabilities to improve their experience of reading.
“I could just zip my finger across the iPad and turn the page,” Ms Copley said.
While e-books will be one aspect of the e-reader service, the 10 iPads will be loaded with games and interactive apps aimed at improving the user’s memory, cognitive function and opportunities for socialisation.
The 10 iPads will be available to Homebound clients for a three month loan period and rotated among clients on a waiting list.
For more information about the Homebound iPad Buddy Program, contact Marianne Beauchamp or Sophie Green on (08) 8203 7159.
