HEALTH-FITNESS

VITAL help

BETH PATKOSKE,CONTRIBUTING WRITER,
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Jack Hayes uses a screen magnifier on a computer at the Brooks Free Library in Harwich.

Brooks Free Library teaches the visually impaired how to reach far beyond their limitations The words on the page seem to shrink with each passing day. The room is growing darker. Fear and isolation set in as you realize you are slowly losing your vision.

But there is a ray of hope. A place where friendly, supportive individuals and a cache of useful resources enhance communication skills and lift spirits for those encountering this traumatic change in lifestyle.

The place: the local library.

With new equipment, free training and access to a host of outside resources, Brooks Free Library in Harwich is paving the way for other Cape libraries as it reaches out to residents and visitors with visual impairments. Whether vision is slightly impaired, or lost entirely, people with vision loss are warmly welcomed into VITAL, the Vision Impaired Technology Assistance at the Library program.

Have trouble reading the small print in a letter you received? Magnify it easily by sliding it into the Aladdin CCTV and feel free to adjust the color of the print and background if that helps.

Unable to see the words in a favorite magazine? Just place the article onto the VERA reading machine and it will be read aloud to you via speakers or headphones.

Ready to try the computer? ZoomText software enlarges the print on the computer screen, bringing information into focus for those with limited vision. A quick switch to the JAWS software program and the computer will read your e-mail messages to you.

Both ZoomText and JAWS can also magnify or read aloud from Internet sites, word processors and other office programs.

The newest addition: a state-of-the-art Kurzweil 1000 computer program, allowing printed material to be scanned into the computer, edited, e-mailed and read aloud.

Looking to be entertained rather than informed? Library patrons can check out a large-print version of a recent best-seller or favorite classic. Talking books are available with specialized audio players. And there is no need to miss out on the latest movies with Audio Described Videos. Distributed to local libraries from Perkins School for the Blind, these VHS videos provide narration of key visual elements, such as characters' actions, costuming, gestures and facial expressions. The descriptions are heard during the natural pauses in dialogue, resulting in a finished soundtrack that enables visually-impaired viewers to fully understand the film through listening.

For those able to read Braille, there are Braille books. Interested in reading to your grandchildren? Combination printraille books allow you to read the Braille while the kids follow along with the printed words and pictures. And if you haven't learned Braille yet, you can easily find information at the library for a free instructional course.

Overcoming limitsWho's behind all this technology?

Outreach coordinator Carla Burke had a personal motivation for spearheading the creation and development of the VITAL program. Burke lost her vision just two years ago as a result of retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited and incurable disease that gradually destroys vision.

The tools The vital parts of VITAL (Visually Impaired Assistance at the Library) include:

ZoomText: magnifies print on a computer screen

JAWS: reads aloud what is on the computer screen to the user

VERA: reads aloud printed material

Aladdin CCTV: magnifies printed material

Want training in VITAL? Call the Brooks Free Library at 508-430-7562.

Research retrieved from the Mass. Commission for the Blind showed Burke that for every one person on the Cape who was considered legally blind, there were two to three times more with some type of vision loss. In Harwich alone, there were 116 residents listed as legally blind.

Realizing the need for a program to be established, she presented her findings to the staff and board of directors at Brooks, eventually making her dream a realit simultaneously landing a temporary, part-time job to lead the program. Funding sources for the necessary equipment included donations from the library trustees, friends of the library, the Lions and Kiwanis Clubs, and a number of individual and anonymous donors.

In addition to her role as outreach coordinator, Burke also volunteers countless hours to train others. Her warm, approachable personalit contagious enthusiasm come through as she shares details on the variety of resources, many of which she herself uses. In fact, Burke now handles her banking, medical records and even shopping via the computer. She also stresses the importance of the social aspects of e-mail as a tool to keep people connected.

"Our goal is not just to train people on our new equipment, but to provide camaraderie with others in the same situation," she says. "Losing your vision is a very emotional time, when suddenly you are unable to do things you always have in the past. Your self-image and confidence suffer. providing the means to accomplish everyday tasks, such as reading and sending e-mail, we see a significant change in people as they regain their independence."

The VITAL program's central location within the library was the result of thoughtful consideration, adds library director Ginny Hewitt.

"Rather than shuffling it off to the side," Hewitt says, "we wanted this new area to have a highly visible location, encouraging participation and increasing exposure to other library users who could recommend the service to family or friends."

Up and running for less than a year, the VITAL program has already trained more than a dozen students ranging in age from 21 to 94. Training is provided in a comfortable learning environment with an emphasis on learning at one's own pace.

Burke explains: "We offer one-on-one instruction and customize the training to help each student achieve his or her objectives."

Jack Hayes of Harwich is currently participating in the program and agrees that the assistive technologies have made a considerable difference in his life. Having no previous experience with typing, Hayes began his training with instruction on the keyboard and is now utilizing that knowledge with the JAWS read-aloud computer program. Excited about his newfound skills, Hayes is quick to praise the library's staff and volunteers.

"They are extremely patient, and the program opens up new vistas for so many people. It's another facet of life that gives you something to look forward to. I am fascinated by the thousands of Web sites out there, and I can now communicate with my son, daughter, nieces and nephews through e-mail."

Hayes' vision loss was brought on by macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in people over 50. This deterioration of the retina affects one-quarter of the aging population and makes seeing details difficult or impossible.

Demand growsWith the aging of Cape Cod residents, there will be an increase in demand for programs targeting their changing needs. As the needs present themselves in towns across the Cape, more libraries are hoping to increase their level of assistive technology. To that end, "many libraries have expressed interest in adding assistive technology based upon the requests of residents from their respective towns," says Hewitt.

Shelley Quezada of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners sees great potential for Cape libraries to create or expand their programs.

"We do have money available to assist libraries in implementing the programs, once a needs assessment is completed and specific planning is in place," she says.

While each library differs, most provide large print books, books on tape and delivery of materials to homebound residents. Several libraries also offer the CCTV print magnifier and VERA reading machine.

Surprisingly, no comprehensive listing of exactly which resources are available at each library currently exists. The MBLC is working to change that as it gathers data with hopes of posting it on their Web site (www.mlin.org) later this year.

While the best advice is to contact your local library for details on their equipment and programs, Brooks' reference librarian Joann Latimer emphasizes that "all Cape residents and visitors are welcome to participate in the VITAL program here in Harwich."

As one might imagine, transportation to and from the library is a concern that also needed to be addressed. According to Burke, "losing the ability to drive is one of the most isolating factors of vision loss." To help out, the Council on Aging shuttles Harwich residents to the library, but, Hewitt adds, "we depend heavily on our volunteer drivers to transport students from nearby towns or those whose schedules do not coincide with the COA shuttle."

Although initial assistive technology efforts have targeted the visually impaired, the staff of Brooks Free Library has plans to diversify, addressing other groups with special needs. On the library's wish list are tables that can be raised and lowered to better accommodate wheelchairs and a TTY telecommunications device to assist people who are hearing impaired. In the words of Carla Burke: "Staying connected with the outside world and surrounding yourself with positive people are the keys to success."

(Published: September 9, 2004)

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