You'll meet them in the videotape we'll view shortly. I'm going to start out today by sharing with you a few stories of people with disabilities who are able to access information resources thanks to the availability of adaptive technology and accessible electronic resources. Keep the handouts handy to save from taking duplicative notes. I will let you know which handout covers the information we are focusing on as we go through the presentation. Much of the information presented today is provided in these handouts. The following handouts are in your packet. Your packet of handouts is one of the tools that will help you apply the ideas presented. Today's presentation will help you understand the impact of these technologies for people with disabilities while giving you the tools to begin implementing them in your library. The last segment of the program will include the second videotape presentation and a discussion of universal design of electronic resources applied to the development of World Wide Web pages.

With that background, a videotape presentation and discussion of adaptive technology for computers will bring our focus to electronic resources in libraries. We will then consider the bigger picture of access to libraries and library services for people with disabilities. Then we will consider the most important legislative directives on the issue and look at some statistics about people with disabilities. To begin I will share some success stories or examples of the impact that adaptive technology for computers and electronic resources has had for people with disabilities. Our program today will cover these five topics. As an extra benefit, you will find that being sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities can often make access easier for everyone. The information covered in this presentation will provide you with tools and insights that will help ensure that these electronic resources are accessible to the broadest audience. Presenter Note: Solicit audience input to list items such as CD-ROM encyclopedias and indexes, online catalogs, WWW pages, and full-text databases. What are some of the electronic resources currently in your library? In addition, federal legislation mandates that public institutions, including libraries, provide accommodations for people with disabilities so that they can utilize the same services and resources as other people. Libraries play an important role in ensuring equitable access to information for all members of our society. In combination, these technologies provide many people with disabilities better access to education, careers, and other life experiences. Recent advances in adaptive computer technology, greater reliance on computers, and increased availability and networking of electronic information resources have resulted in life-changing opportunities for many people with disabilities. I'm here today to share with you information and issues related to people with disabilities, electronic resources, and libraries.

Universal Access: Electronic Information in Libraries Meet the Speakers in the Videotape: World Wide Access.World Wide Access: Accessible Web Design.Meet the Speakers in the Videotape: Working Together: People with Disabilities and Computer Technology.Working Together: People with Disabilities and Computer Technology.Making Library Resources Accessible to People with Disabilities.Getting started: a list of adaptive technology devices.Beginning the process of planning for adaptive technology.Tailor the script to your chosen program length, content and audience. This section provides a sample script for delivering a half-day to full-day presentation covering all of the topics listed in the outline.

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