A Technology Petting Zoo: High Tech for Access

19 August 2013
Singapore, Central Public Library, National Library Board

This session focuses on access technologies that enable libraries to offer a higher quality of life to these who are afflicted with physical, mental or cognitive disabilities and, therefore, are unable to access current library services. The program started with presentations to introduce access technology products, software and devices. Participants were then able to visit a "Technology Petting Zoo," and could use a hands-on approach to explore what might be involved if they were interested in or in need of acquiring such technology for their establishment.

Welcome

• Veronica L C Stevenson-Moudamane, LSN Chai

Keynote Speech

“My Computer is not Dyslexic: Reading, Writing, and Machine Intelligence”
Prof. Dr. Michael Seadle (Director of the Berlin School for Library and Information Science, Dean of the Faculty of Arts I, & Chair of the Commission on Research Ethics at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

Presenters

• Audio index Libraries are worth listening to! – Audio-based library service combined with RFID reader and audio player
Mr. Lars Eriksson (Audioindex AB, Sweden)

• Downloading talking books to e-book reader in Sweden
Bitte Kronkvist (Swedish Library of Talking Books and Braille)
Heidi Carlsson Asplund (Library in the Municipal of Lerum, Sweden)

• Search and read books online with PLEXTALK through DAISY Online Delivery protocol / DAISY/digital talking book players and recorders of your choice, DAISY authoring tools for libraries and local communities
Mr. Hiroaki Mizukami (Technology Products Business Unit,Shinano Kenshi Co., Ltd. (PLEXTALK) , Japan）

• Free production tools to create e-pub contents and inexpensive e-book readers
Mr. Dipendra Manochoa (Developing countries coordinator of DAISY Consortium)

• Accessible multimedia contents in PC, tablet computers and mobile phones
Mr. Hiroshi Kawamura (Assistive Technology Development Organization – Japan)
Ms. Misako Nomura (Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities)