Adaptive Technologies

Adaptive Technologies, simply, remove barriers for those who would not otherwise have access to certain information or participation in certain activities. Because these technologies enable segments of the population to become library users, they are overall the technologies bearing the most value to users. From assistive devices such as alternative mousing devices, braille printers and CCTVs, to software applications such as word predictors, and other tools that assist in cognition expression, to combinations of hardware and software such as verbalized output and speech recognition, the technologies available are increasing in number and sophistication. To be considered, certainly, is the expense of such devices and software, the installation know-how, and the ability to train and assist the users themselves. Yet there is no debating the impact such technologies could have on a huge number of potential users, if only they could be made available. Moreover, it is often mistakenly thought that such technologies would be used only by a very small number of users (and therefore, not included as any type of priority items on a budget); in fact, many assistive and adaptive technologies would be useful to the majority of patrons. For example, voice recognition software is becoming more and more interesting to people and corporations, for their time-saving and labor-saving benefits. Therefore, not only are adaptive technologies the most valuable overall, but they would truly bring value to users everywhere, with and without disabilities, as well as to the libraries.