Based on admittedly
limited experience, the problem is not the touch screen, but the applications
they may access. If they are not specifically designed for touch use, they can
be hell to use!
Having recently
installed RFID kiosks (touch screens), once you turn off the user interface to
access the system admin, you are into pure Windows. The supplier engineers
(being experienced) whizz through that - I open the front of the cabinet and
plug in a USB keyboard and mouse...
So is your target customer accessing special apps in
the school via the touch screen?
I assume the school
is using Windows 7 which from what I have seen, does have some superb Touch
Screen facilities. We don't have that facility here at the moment, but it
is one which I have flagged up for the next time we refresh our Public
Computers. We have 135 Public Computers using XP in 10 Libraries, but each
Branch has one PC with a 22" Screen, large keyboard, Supernova and Guide
software, trackballs plus other aids that can be used if required.
For
touchscreen technology, Windows 7 is good, but has a huge way to go before it
can rival an iPad in my opinion. Within 5 years, a separate keyboard/mouse
will be a thing of the past
We do provide Supernova on at least one PC in each
branch, as well as making sure the standard Windows accessibility tools are
enabled. To be frank though, Supernova is such a complicated programme to
use and gets asked for so rarely we have real difficulties in keeping staff
trained to use it and able to support customers when they do use it that I am
wondering if that is actually the right
approach.
We have also recently purchased a number of
standard accessibility kits from Keytools that includes a BigKeys large
keyboard, lightweight laptop-style mini keyboard, a large trackball mouse and
High Visibility Stickers. I will be conducting an audit to try and
establish which elements are most used and we therefore need to provide more
widely around libraries. However early indications are showing that
the large trackball mouse are particularly useful for our Surf's Up
internet and PC taster sessions for older customers and we have already
ordered more.
We are also conducting some customer focus
groups over the summer, to ask for views on our current IT provision and we will
have a group specifically looking at assistive technology, others focusing
on our general public PC build and configuration and yet more on the
accessibility and usability of our online offerings, so I am, hoping for further
insights from that exercise.
We have also
recently had a request about touch screens, in relation to dyslexia in this
case, so I would be very interested in your summary of
responses.
We only have 7
branches and provide height adjustable chairs and one dedicated Special Needs
height adjustable desk per branch. Each library also has a touch screen
computer, monster key board, large tracker ball mouse, JAWS software, and 2 of
our branches have screen magnifiers.
Christine
Dyson
Acting Principal Libraries Officer: Information
Department of
Regeneration and Culture – making great places
● Planning,
Transportation and Highways
● Housing,
Employment and Skills
● Economic
Development and Property
● Culture and
Tourism
City of Bradford
Metropolitan District Council – Floor 8, Central Library, Prince's Way, Bradford
BD1 1NN
T 01274 433665
F 01274 395108
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