Revised: 10/11

These guidelines are intended to help staff manage the use of adaptive technology stations (ATS) more effectively, and as a supplement to Acceptable Use of the Internet and Library Public Computers. In addition, they serve as general guidelines for working with patrons who match the criteria of people with disabilities as established by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

What is an adaptive technology station?

Adaptive technology search stations at Multnomah County Library provide the following:

• ZoomText -- a screen magnification program for users with limited vision;
• JAWS for Windows -- a screen reader that uses the numeric keypad for basic reading functions, plus a combination of "hot key" commands to move around the screen;

Who can use the adaptive technology stations?

These stations are currently configured for patrons with vision impairments, dyslexia and other learning disabilities who can benefit from the additional technology but not reserved exclusively for patrons with vision impairments.   They may also be used by patrons with mobility problems or other special needs. Most of the search stations have been placed at the end of tables to promote easy access for patrons in wheelchairs. (Any search station at the end of a row provides similar advantage.)

Beyond adaptive technology-more about the Americans with Disabilities Act

Adaptive technology stations are not "ADA stations." They are provided for the uses prescribed above. However, they do provide extra value for many of the situations that are covered by the ADA. If you would like to learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act, including definitions of from the Department of Justice, you can visit the U.S. Department of Justice web site, and view the information in Section 36.104.

Set up options for adaptive technology stations

Adaptive technology stations can be assigned to one of two queues in Pharos Sign-Up: the Internet Computers' queue or the Adaptive Technology Station queue. Computer Services staff will enable the option preferred by particular library location.

Either option requires that staff pay more attention to the adaptive technology user than the usual search station user. This includes being aware of users who may need this technology and offering assistance rather than waiting to be approached.

Internet Computers Queue: Enables the adaptive technology station to be assigned to any computer user who signs up at the Sign Up station.

Trade off: If a library customer needs to use this computer, then library staff must take the current user off of the computer; disable the computer; place the ATS user at the top of the queue; enable the AT station and hope that the ATS user is assigned the AT station by Pharos Sign-Up. The person who was taken off the AT station will also have to be put at the top of the queue after the ATS user is on the AT station.

Advantage: The AT station will get regular use with no intervention from staff.

Adaptive Technology Station Queue: Keeps the AT station out of the queue for regular computer users.

Trade off: Requires library staff to sign up AT users. AT station will remain unused unless library staff is proactive in recruiting library customers who are waiting for Internet stations.

Advantages: Fewer steps with Pharos Sign-Up for staff when accommodating AT station users.

Process for accommodating standing requests for extra computer time

1. Patrons with A_5_ITEM and A_6_WEEK user profiles are automatically given 4-hour Chromebook loans.  
2. Library patrons requiring additional desktop computer time due to a disability need to present a written request from his/her doctor. This request must include a statement that says due to the patron's particular disability, he/she requires time beyond the library's limit of two hours per day to use the library's computers.
   • All written requests must be presented to the Disability Accommodations Group.
   • A notice of approval or denial will be sent to the patron and kept on file by the contact center.
   • If approved, a copy of the approved request will be forwarded to IT and the contact center.
   • IT will see that the appropriate settings are changed to add two hours per day to the regular allotted time.
   • Contact center staff will add information about the accommodation to the History in the patron record. Example: "Patron approved for additional internet time. If the library card is replaced with a new number, please notify the contact center of both the new and deleted card numbers. JS/AM 4/29/2010."
   • If the patron replaces his or her library card, staff will advise the patron the extended time will take 24 hours to be effective. Staff will then notify the contact center​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ with both the old and new card numbers. Example: "Patron with ADA approved extended internet time replaced library card on 11/21/2008. Card number 21168012345678 replaced with card number 21168023456789." The contact center​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ will forward the information to IT, so that the appropriate settings are transferred to the new library card number.

Staff responsibilities

In addition to understanding the technology, sensitive customer interaction is expected.

Our goal is a positive experience for the adaptive technology user. It is better to err on the side of giving a patron too much service, than to be concerned about whether or not a patron is "abusing" these stations.

The importance of a positive interaction with a self-identified ATS user cannot be stressed enough. Please remember these guidelines:

DO offer assistance in attaching headphones, setting up the session and demonstrating the software.

DO assist patrons in logging in and out of Pharos and help them understand use of the "clock."

DO offer reference assistance. Sometimes the use of these stations is information related and what the user really needs is reference help.

DO be creative in providing assistance. For example, the software may be helpful in viewing information, it does not print in large type. If the patron needs assistance printing there are options:

1. Save the information to the patron's external storage device for patrons who have special software at home
2. Import the information into Word, enlarge the font and print it out for them
3. Use the enlarge function on a photocopier to make the printout more readable

DO expect to be an advocate, especially if the ATS is being used by a person not needing adaptive technology.

Adaptive technology station use by patrons not needing adaptive technology

(This applies especially to branch libraries and the Info Desk area at Central)

In high-demand situations, staff may elect to make adaptive technology stations available to patrons who do not need the technology. Staff should explain the circumstances: e.g. "We are happy to let you use this machine right now.  However, if a patron needing the additional technology comes in, I will ask you to relocate, and you may have to wait for another Internet station to become available."  It is especially important in this case that staff be alert to any potential ATS users.