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Jun
06
Posted by Darlene Kaskie on June 6th, 2016
Posted in: General
My colleague Jingyi Wang and I had the pleasure of representing Taubman Health Sciences Library and promoting our GMR resources while attending the biennial conference for the visually-impaired known as “VISIONS” on May 11th, 2016. This day-long event, held at Washtenaw Community College’s Morris Lawrence Pavilion, was organized by the staff of the Ann Arbor District Library. There were several hundred persons attending, and 30 exhibitors who demonstrated the latest products and services for the blind and visually impaired. Included in the exhibits were accessible hardware and software applications, magnifiers, electronic readers, Braille devices, library services, CCTVs, leader dogs, support services for the blind and transportation services; these were just a few of the many outstanding services and products on display.
We interacted with many of these participants along with talking to a number of vendors, primarily about MedlinePlus and the valuable resources it offers, especially the senior-oriented version of its sibling website NIHSeniorHealth. The participants at VISIONS were also happy to learn about a number of local health services, both dental and medical, that we pointed out to them. And since a number of service dogs accompanied their people–we cannot omit mentioning their important assistance to the attendees. Although naturally we could not interact with the assistance dogs, we found that the people who accompanied them were happy to talk to us on a multitude of topics whether related to reliable online health information or what else we could provide them to facilitate their activities of daily living.
Our table was situated between the National Federation of the Blind, Michigan Chapter, and the Lions Club representatives. Nearby were a poster and information about a series of free summer camps for the blind and visually impaired called “Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind.”
Through talking with vendors and participants, we learned of the exciting technology and adaptive devices being developed for the visually-challenged, and thus we were reinforced in our impression that this new technology is changing people’s lives. For example, we witnessed the fact that a tiny mechanical object can announce the denomination of a piece of paper currency to a visually-impaired individual, thus eliminating confusion as to what his or her wallet holds.
This event was particularly effective in that it brought communities together where everyone learned something new from someone else. Vendors shared their resources with participants and participants gave feedback and suggestions to vendors. Service organizations explained how they could be of assistance. And, of course, a number of accompanying service dogs were present. In summary, friendliness and a positive atmosphere prevailed. In summary, the atmosphere was very positive and welcoming to all.
Anna Ercoli Schnitzer has worked at University of Michigan’s Taubman Health Sciences Library first as a medical reference librarian, later as an outreach librarian, and, most recently, as a disability issues librarian. Anna is a recipient of the Friends of the National Library of Medicine’s Michael E. DeBakey Library Services Outreach Award which recognizes outstanding service and contributions to rural and underserved communities by a practicing health sciences librarian.
ABOUT Darlene Kaskie