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G2S Project Code: 2015-DC-74829
State: District of Columbia
Fiscal Year: 2015
Grantee
District of Columbia Public Library

Project Director
Director Name: Elizabeth Lang
Director Phone: 202-727-2270
Director Email: elizabeth.lang@dc.gov
General Information
Title: Center for Accessibility
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2015
End Date: 09/30/2016
Abstract: The DC Public Library used LSTA funds to provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for Library classes, programs, and meetings. 
State Goal: Access to Information
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$13,297.05
$0.00
$0.00
$13,297.05
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Literacy
Activities
Activity Details
Title: American Sign Language Interpretation
Narrative:

Funds to support ASL Interpretation enable DC Public Library to provide Deaf and hard-of-hearing customers and staff with equal access to our programs and services. Programs such as ASL Story times and Deaf Culture programs, ongoing public computer training classes, and technology training sessions are all made accessible to our Deaf and hard-of-hearing customers via the use of ASL interpretation. Several library staff members also benefit from the interpretation, using it to participate in staff meetings and training. 


Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: In-person


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 180
Number of presentations/performances administered: 41
Average number in attendance per session: 6


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 26
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
Without ASL interpretation available upon request throughout the DCPL library system, the 11% of the DC population (US Census: 2014 American Community Survey) with a hearing disability would be unable to fully access DCPL programs, events, and meetings. Additionally, staff members in the Collections Department and the Center for Accessibility who have hearing disabilities use ASL interpretation during staff meetings and training classes.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
Among DC residents, an estimated 11.9% report a vision disability and an estimated 11% report a hearing disability (US Census: 2014 American Community Survey). Providing ASL interpretation for DCPL programming and meetings, and increasing braille literacy helps DC residents with disabilities, and those who care for them, to access education, information, and recreational opportunities they would otherwise be unable to take advantage of.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Participant Observation
Other
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:

Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
No
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
No
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
No
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: ASL interpretation; Braille instruction