People of all abilities are welcome at Parkland Community Library. Accessibility promotes equitable access to library services and electronic resources. PCL is fully accessible and provides materials, assistive technology, and programs. Patrons may use these items in-library by request on a first-come-first-serve basis. Ask a tech assistant or reference librarian for assistance.
AudioRange Wireless Headphones
AudioRange in-ear TV headphones: These hearing amplifiers are hassle-free. Turn them on to listen with no pairing required.
These hands-free magnifiers fit over eyeglasses. LED light option available.
Materials
The Parkland Community Library provides materials in different formats for the visually and hearing impaired including:
- Large print books: printed in an easy-to-read font.
- eAudiobooks are available for download through Libby and Hoopla.
- eBooks allow patrons to adjust the font and color of the screen.
- Audiobook, CD Audiobook, Playaways: Pre-loaded devices for listening to audiobooks.
- Closed captioning on many DVDs as well as Hoopla streaming services.
- Interlibrary loan: If we don’t own an item in the format you need, we can request it from another library.
Assistive Technology
The Parkland Community Library provides materials in different formats for the visually and hearing impaired including:
- Magnifying glasses with light to enlarge materials.
- Large print computer keyboard.
- Braille keyboard overlay.
- Microsoft accessibility tools including Narrator and Magnifier.
- Information about apps patrons can download to their phone or tablet for both iOS and Android.
- ASKaLibrarian chat.
- Information on national services including Braille and Audio Reading Materials (BARD) through the National Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS through Library for Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP).
Programs
- Closed captions for all ages
- Assistive listening devices and magnifying glasses available for use while attending programs.
Resources
Our librarians have compiled resources for people with disabilities and their families.
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Resources
Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD)
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (formerly AAMR)
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
The Arc Lehigh and Northampton Counties
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD)
National Association of States Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS)
Physical Disabilities Resources
American Associations of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
Cornucopia of Disability Information (CODI)
Disability Information and Resources from Medline Plus
Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI)
National Council on Disability (NCD)
National Organization on Disability
United Nations Enable: Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities
State and Local Resources
Disability Rights Pennsylvania
Intellectual Disabilities Information and Resources for Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disability
Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry – Links to Disability Resources
Pennsylvania Disability Resources and Advocacy Organizations
New! Sensory Kits
We now have in-house sensory kits for patrons of all ages and ability levels!
Benefits of our sensory kits include:
- Improvement of fine motor skills
- Stress relief
- Daily living skills
- Exploration and tactile interactivity
Other available items include:
- Board games
- Communication cards for nonverbal and ESL patrons
- Lap pads
- Large print word search
- Noise canceling headphones
- Puzzles
- Visual timer
Visit our Reference and Children’s desk to try our in-house tools today!
