Services for Persons with Disabilities

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. For additional information please contact any of the listed libraries.

Visual Access	Physical Access	TTY
Other: Local	Other: Colorado	Other: National

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, Community Technology Center, Level Four and Western History Department, Level Five.)

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, although most people typically magnify from 2 to 8 times.

Jaws for Windows Screen Reader

This screen-reading software works in conjunction with a speech synthesizer to assist the person who is blind by speaking what is on the computer screen. Jaws for Windows can also be used to browse the Internet.

IBM Home Page Reader (HPR)

HPR is a World Wide Web browser for persons who are blind or visually impaired. It 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

Designed for individuals who are blind, this scanner/reader 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.

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, Community Technology Center, Level Four).

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, Community Technology Center, Level Four).

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

Central Library (main number) 720-865-1111 Community Technology Center 720-865-1706 Western History Department 720-865-1825

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. It 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

A substitute for the traditional mouse, this device 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 locations (unless otherwise indicated). For further information please call or visit:

Central Library (main number) 720-865-1111 Community Technology Center 720-865-1706 Western History Department 720-865-1825

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 Phone Numbers

Central Library
Circulation 720-865-1478
Reference Services 720-865-1480
Human Resources 720-865-2084
Western History/Genealogy 720-865-1825

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 by calling 720-865-2078.

Other Denver Public Library Special Services

Homebound Programs

The library has a program that provides 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 would like more information, please call the Volunteer Office at 720-865-2043.

Bookmobiles

The Denver Public Library has two bookmobiles that make scheduled stops around the City and County of Denver for the convenience of those who are unable to visit the library. Please view the schedules online or call 720-865-1114.

Local Agency Resources

Accessible Denver Disability-related information and resources to help you plan your visit to the Mile High City.

Denver Office of Disability Rights City & County of Denver 201 West Colfax, Suite 1102 Denver, CO 80202 720-913-8480 (Voice) 720-913-8475 (TTY) Advocates for the civil rights of people with disabilities. Provides interpreting for the deaf and comprehensive referral services for individuals with a wide variety of disabilities.

Colorado Talking Book Library 180 Sheridan Blvd. Denver, CO 80226 303-727-9277 or 1-800-685-2136 Dedicated to providing free library service to individuals who, because of a variety of disabilities, are unable to read standard print books.

Colorado Assistive Technology Partners(CATP) Pearl Plaza 601 East 18th Avenue, Suite 130 Denver, CO 80203 303-315-1280 or 1-800-255-3477 303-837-8964 (TTY) Provides a wide variety of services to individuals and organizations in the area of disabilities, including consultation, training and workshops.