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Services for Persons with Disabilities

Visual Access Physical Access TTY Other DPL Services

Local Resources Other Colorado Resources National Resources

The Denver Public Library is committed to providing equal access for all people who wish to use the library and its collection. In order to provide this service there are various adaptive technologies available at the Central Library and many of our branches to assist customers who might need different modes of access to print and electronic resources. If you need any additional information please contact any of the listed libraries.

Visual Access Workstation Equipment

Chroma CCD Magnifier
This equipment allows the user to enlarge everyday printed reading materials. Simply place the book, newspaper, or any printed material on a platform and the image appears enlarged on a screen above. It magnifies up to 60 times, minimizes glare, and eliminates hot spots. The monitor is placed directly in front of the user for comfortable reading. (Only available at the Central Library - 1st floor General Reference and 5th floor Western History Departments)

ZoomText Extra Level 1
This software enlarges items on the computer screen for individuals with low vision. Using ZoomText, an individual can increase the size of the icons, text, and other graphics on the screen. It can magnify up to 16 times, though most people typically use between 2 times to 8 times.

Jaws for Windows Screen Reader
This software assists the person who is blind by speaking what is on the computer screen. This screen-reading software works in conjunction with a speech synthesizer to enable the computer to talk about what is currently on the computer's screen. Jaws for Windows can also be used to browse the Internet.

IBM Home Page Reader (HPR)
This product is a World Wide Web browser for persons who are blind or visually impaired. HPR accesses Web pages and reads them using computer speech. You use the numeric keypad on your computer's keyboard to move around Web pages.

Open Book Ruby
This product is designed for individuals who are blind. It is a scanner/reader that converts typewritten or typeset material into clearly spoken computer speech. Text can be read immediately by the computer, stored on computer disk, or prepared for Braille production. Ruby uses a scanner to read the text in a book or on a printed page.

Braille Printer
This product prints text documents in Braille format so that persons who are able to read Braille can read them. (Only available at the Central Library, 1st floor General Reference Department)

Braille Display
This device attaches to the computer and converts the text on the computer's screen into Braille. (Only available at the Central Library, 1st floor General Reference Department).

The equipment listed above is available at the following libraries (unless otherwise indicated). For further information please call or visit:

Central Library: (main number) 720-865-1111
Reference Department: 720-865-1363
Western History Department: 720-865-1825
Ford Warren Branch Library: 720-865-0920
Hadley Branch Library: 720-865-0170
University Hills Branch Library: 720-865-0955
Virginia Village Branch Library: 720-865-0940

Physical Access Workstation Equipment

Keyguards
Keyguards are plastic, metal, or fiberglass keyboard overlays that snap or lock over a keyboard and prevent unintentional keystrokes. Keyguards are useful for individuals with physical disabilities who often need to rest or support a hand on the keyboard surface between keystrokes. The keyguard covers the entire keyboard but has holes over the individual keys.

Intellikeys Keyboard
This special keyboard can facilitate the use of a personal computer for persons who have difficulty typing on a standard keyboard. The Intellikeys keyboard functions just like a regular keyboard but with special options so that an individual with a physical disability can run all the software programs on the computer. The Intellikeys uses overlays, which allow for different keyboard layouts with features such as large letters and numbers, high contrast colors, and alphabetical as well as QWERTY (standard keyboard) arrangement of keys.

Tracker
This device is a substitute for the traditional mouse. It uses an optical sensor that tracks a tiny disposable dot that is placed on the user's forehead or glasses. The mouse is then moved when the individual moves his or her head while looking at different locations on the computer's screen. This mouse emulation can be used with an on-screen keyboard such as Screen Doors (see below).

ScreenDoors
This software is simply a computer keyboard that appears on the computer screen. Individuals who cannot use the standard keyboard may be able to access the onscreen keyboard by using the Tracker or the standard computer mouse.

Dragon Dictate Voice Recognition Software
Voice recognition technology allows users to speak directly to their computers and is helpful for people who have significant difficulty using the traditional mouse and/or keyboard. Dragon Dictate offers the capability of using the computer completely hands-free.

The equipment listed above is available at the following libraries (unless otherwise indicated). For further information please call or visit:

Central Library: (main number) 720-865-1111
Reference Department: 720-865-1363
Western History Department: 720-865-1825
Bear Valley Branch Library: 303-935-0616
Ford Warren Branch Library: 720-865-0920
University Hills Branch Library: 720-865-0955
Virginia Village Branch Library: 720-865-0940

Equipment for the Hearing Impaired

TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired)
The TTY (TDD) allows hearing impaired customers to communicate directly with the Library via a special teletype machine. They may call and ask questions and receive answers from Library staff about all library activities. TTY machines are located throughout the Central Library and at many of the branches. The TTY for public use at the Central Library (outgoing calls only) is located in Schlessman Hall on the Southeast wall.

LOCATION	TTY	VOICE
Central Library Main Number/Switchboard	720-865-1472	720-865-1111
Circulation	720-865-1478	720-865-1325
Reference and Non-fiction	720-865-1480	720-865-1363
Burnham Hoyt (Fiction & Media)	720-865-1471	720-865-1312
Magazines	720-865-1681	720-865-1610
Government Publications	720-865-1780	720-865-1711
Western History/Genealogy	720-865-1825	720-865-1821
Interlibrary Loan	720-865-1782	720-865-1718
Human Resources	720-865-2084	720-865-2072
Central Events Line	720-865-2080	720-865-2000
Eugene Field Branch Library	303-733-7435	303-777-2301
Hadley Branch Library	303-935-4267	720-865-0170
Hampden Branch Library	303-671-0905	720-865-0185
Ross-Cherry Creek Branch Library	720-865-0131	720-865-0120

Soundmate Personal Listening Systems
This personal hearing device is useful for people with a wide range of hearing loss. The system will help hearing-impaired customers overcome background noise and poor acoustics that can make listening difficult in a group or conference setting.

NOTE:
If you would like to use this system for an event in the Conference Center or in the training rooms, please inform the Library at least one week in advance of the event. If you are arranging a conference, please notify the Meeting Room Coordinator of your interest in this system. (720-865-2078)

Other Denver Public Library Special Services

Homebound Programs
The library has a volunteer program set up to provide a volunteer to visit Denver residents who are not able to leave their residences and who have other special needs. If you wish to have a volunteer visit or require more information, please call the Volunteer Office: (720-865-2043)

Bookmobile
The Bookmobile tours the City and County of Denver with scheduled stops for the convenience of those who are unable to visit the library for various reasons. Please call any of the libraries for a schedule or call the Bookmobile: (720-865-1114)

Special Formats

If you need assistance in accessing anything in our collection, please contact any member of our staff by phone or in person. Access our online catalog.

Local Agency Resources

Denver Commission for People with Disabilities
City & County of Denver. 303 West Colfax, Suite 150, Denver, CO 80204. Advocates for the civil rights of people with disabilities and provides interpreting for the deaf and comprehensive referral services for individuals with a wide variety of disabilities. For further information call: 720-913-8480 (Voice); 720-913-8492 (TDD); or visit their web site.

Colorado Talking Book Library
180 Sheridan Rd., Denver CO 80226. Dedicated to providing free library service to individuals whom, because of a variety of disabilities, are unable to read standard print books. For further information about eligibility for services call: 303-727-9277 or 1-800-685-2136 or visit their Web site at http://www.cde.state.co.us/ctbl/.

Colorado Assistive Technology Partners(CATP)
1245 E. Colfax, Denver CO 80020. Provides a wide variety of services to individuals and organizations in the area of disabilities. Consultation, training and workshops are available. Please call them: 303-315-1280 or 1-800-255-3477; or visit their comprehensive Web site at http://www.uchsc.edu/atp. They provide training and workshops on the use of assistive technology equipment.

Additional Resources for Assistive Technology in Colorado

Rose Medical Center: 303-320-2121

The Children's Hospital: 303-861-8888

Easter Seals Colorado: 303-233-1666 or 800-875-4732

Rocky Mountain Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center: 800-949-4232

National Resources

National Library of Medicine Disabilities Information

National Dissemination Center for Children With Disabilities

NICHCY Resources for Adults with Disabilities

Library of Congress Bibliography for Adults and Children With Disabilities

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped