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G2S Project Code: 2020-DC-85024
State: District of Columbia
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
District of Columbia Public Library

Project Director
Director Name: Julia Wolhandler
Director Phone: 202-568-9519
Director Email: julia.wolhandler@dc.gov
General Information
Title: Services for People with Disabilities
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The DC Public Library used LSTA funds to enhance services for customers and staff with disabilities, including Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and patrons who are blind, low-vision or DeafBlind. This included providing American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for library classes, programs, and meetings, and the purchase of specialized equipment such as magnification devices for patrons who need to magnify material, and real-time communication devices such as the Ubi Duo for people who are Deaf, Hard of hearing, or who may not be fluent in spoken English.
State Goal: Access to Information
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$74,976.53
$0.00
$0.00
$74,976.53
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Literacy
Activities
Activity Details
Title: ASL Interpreters
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 time and Deaf Culture programs, ongoing public computer training classes, and technology training sessions are all made available to our Deaf and hard-of-hearing customers via the use of ASL interpretation. Several Library staff members also benefit from interpretation, using it to participate in staff meetings and trainings.

There were a total of 104 requests assigned an ASL interpreter including for the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library's Grand Opening and Art All Night.

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

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Combined in-person & virtual
Other: Includes both program and presentation


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 104
Average number in attendance per session: 4


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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


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
Activity Details
Title: Adaptive Equipment for Programming and Services
Narrative: We purchased 30 pocket talkers along with disposable headphone and mic covers, and neckloops. Pocket talkers are a noise amplification device used by people who are hard of hearing or having learning disabilities. The 30 pocket talkers will be dispersed among all 26 branch locations and MLK library to be used by patrons and staff, when needed, to amplify sound and allow for better access to information. 

We purchased two xboxes and ram mounts adaptive controllers to be used as part of the adaptive gaming system we are creating at MLK Jr. Memorial Library. This gaming system will be used by people with disabilities. 

We purchased a Tiger embosser, embossing paper, and Swell Form Starter Pack (Via IRIE). This type of embosser allows us to print braille and tactile images on peel away sticky clear paper that we can lay on top of posters, books, and other materials. The Swell Form Starter Pack allows us to create tactile material on top of all printed visual documents. This is beneficial to people who are blind or low vision and rely on touch to retrieve information.

We purchased 8 new CCTV Magnifiers which are now placed in the following locations at the MLK Jr. Memorial Library; People's Archives, the Labs, Adult Learning, Digital Commons, Center for Accessibility, and Adult Services. The CCTV Magnifier allows patrons who are blind or low vision to access material and magnify, change contrast, and color to better accommodate their needs to access content and information. Having it in multiple locations/departments will allow for better use by patrons needing this service.

We purchased 3 new wireless UbiDuos that will be housed at the Center for Accessibility including at the Information Desk. This has been used by both the public and staff to best accommodate people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing to communicate and access information. It provides a quick, real time, way to communicate between two people.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 47
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 1
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0


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 outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Providing ASL interpretation to District residents who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind and have other disabilities needing access to ASL Interpretation, allows patrons to fully participate in DC Public Library-sponsored programs and events. It also allows staff needing access to ASL Interpreters to fully participate in internal meetings and trainings. DC has one of the largest communities of Deaf individuals in the United States, thanks in part to Gallaudet University, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and Kendall Demonstration Elementary School and we have a responsibility to ensure full access to all of our programs and events. While DCPL’s Center for Accessibility provides ASL interpreters for all of its programming, the library as a whole will provide ASL interpreters for programs when requested. Providing a Tiger embosser to be accessed by both the public and staff, allows for the 2.8% of District residents with a vision disability, as well as others who frequent our libraries from surrounding counties, the nation and internationally, to fully access electronic and printed information in an accessible format via braille. Because we are one of the only entities in DC that allows for free public braille printing, having this available is essential to access information for patrons who are Blind, low vision, and DeafBlind. The Ubi Duos and Pocketalkers are especially helpful to people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing to be able to have one on one conversations with ease and access our services.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Providing ASL interpretation for DC Public Library programming and meetings helps DC residents who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind and others with disabilities to access information, education and recreational opportunities that they would otherwise be unable to take advantage of. Providing Braille documents for DC Public Library Programming, meetings, and resources, helps DC residents who are Blind, low vision, or Deaf Blind and others with disabilities to access information, education, recreational opportunities that they would otherwise be unable to take advantage of. Having these new assistive technologies greatly benefits our patrons accessing our services including to books, promotional materials, flyers, pamphlets, and in person programming and services.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Providing access to programs is not only necessary but required under multiple laws and orders. 1 in 4 adults in the United States has a disability. Having various types of accommodations in place such as ASL Interpreters, braille printer, and assistive technology allows for patrons and staff to fully access programs and pertinent information. Having interpreting agencies in place that provide not only ASL interpreters but other language interpreters via sign language is important in fulfilling requests to access programs.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: ASL, Braille, Disability