Now any Webster Parish citizen who is disabled has access to the same technologies that many people take for granted.

The Webster Parish Library Minden Main Branch announces an Accessibility Computer Workstation is available for citizens with disabilities.

Software:

This workstation, located in the public computer lab at the Minden Main Branch Library, is equipped with JAWS, screen reading software; MAGic, screen magnification software; TypeAbility, typing tutor software for the blind and visually impaired; RealSpeak Solo Direct Voice Synthesizers, text-to-speech software used to provide voice output for the blind or visually impaired; and Microsoft Office 2007 Professional which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Access.

Hardware:

Also made available at the workstation is a 24-inch wide screen monitor, for viewing ease; ergonomic keyboard, designed to minimize muscle strain; and an optical trackball mouse, designed to provide a more comfortable and painfree user experience. 

Resources:

To help get you started, the workstation's desktop provides links to quickly launch JAWS and MAGic; Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint; and TypeAbility. From the desktop you can access the USB drive, CD/DVD drive, and calculator. The desktop also has helpful links to resources such as, the Talking Books & Braille Library, Webster Parish online catalog, BARD downloadable books and magazines, and to apply for assistive type services with State Library.

Lists of keyboard shortcuts for JAWS and MAGic are provided at the workstation also. There are keyboard shortcuts to quickly give commands to launch the programs, to enhance magnification, to turn speech on and off, and much more!

Software Features:

JAWS

• Screen reading in different languages and accents
• Click here to hear samples of different voices

MAGic

• Magnifies the computer screen up to 36 times its usual size
• Has 45 magnification levels
• Can display a magnified and unmagnified portion of the screen at the same time
• Powerful color enhancement features, low-glare, high-contrast, shading and tinting
• Numerous customizable cursor choices to better target and locate items in a document
• Focus enhancements to help you see where you are in menus and dialog boxes

TypeAbility

• Can work with JAWS and MAGic to read and/or magnify the screen
• Teaches the entire keyboard in 98 user-friendly lessons
• Clearly describes lessons and tasks
• Video Tutorials at the following links:

TypeAbility Teacher Tutorial Part 1

TypeAbility Teacher Tutorial Part 2

TypeAbility Teacher Tutorial Part 3

Patron Comment:

Webster Parish Library Patron, Myra Jones of Dubberly, loves to come to the library for recreation. Myra has cerebral palsy and is unable to use a computer without assistance. The accessibility computer gives Myra and her assistant Vallisa Johnson, the ability to enjoy and view the computer together on a wide-screen monitor. Vallisa states "We would come every day, but the high price of gas keeps us at home."

The Webster Parish Library is partnering once again with Louisiana State Library to offer free classes to anyone 16 years and older.  Classes will be offered at the Webster Parish main branch.  A schedule of classes is available at both locations.

  April's offerings are Adobe Acrobat Pro and Adobe Photoshop CS5, both two-day classes.  In May you can learn Excel 2010: Level 1 and Job Search: Getting Started.

Word 2010: Level 1 covers the basic functions and features of Word 2010. After an introduction to Word's window components, students will learn how to use the Help system and navigate documents. Then they will enter and edit text, create and save documents, and learn how to enhance the appearance of a document by using various formatting options. They will also create tables, insert headers and footers, proof and print documents, and insert graphics.

The Adobe Acrobat Pro course is a two-day course that will teach students fundamental concepts and terminology, and the basic features of Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro. Students will learn PDF basics and explore the Acrobat interface, learning how to navigate and organize PDF documents. Students will learn how to create a PDF document from within Acrobat and also from within other applications such as word processors or other Adobe Creative Suite applications, as well as creating documents from Web pages. Students will learn to modify PDF content, insert multimedia content, add bookmarks and links, and improve accessibility in a document. Students will learn to manage security issues and explore document review techniques, such as Page View Sharing and Collaborate Live. On day 2, students will then learn how to produce high-quality PDF documents for press. They will learn prepress techniques including color management, proofing and converting colors, color separations, managing inks, trapping, and transparency flattening. Students will use the Preflight feature to test and convert a document to comply with print provider requirements or ISO 9000 standards. Students will learn to create interactive forms using both the Form Editor as well as LiveCycle Designer ES. They will learn to distribute PDF documents and forms, and to compile form data returned from users.

Adobe Photoshop CS5 is a two-day course that will provide instruction on how to create professional-looking images for both print and the Web. In this course, students will identify the components of the Photoshop environment, learn about the differences between raster and vector graphics, and learn how to use Adobe Bridge. Students will explore various methods of selecting image areas and will learn how to modify and manipulate selections. In addition, students will learn how to work with text, layers, and layer effects; how to adjust, retouch, and resize images; and how to prepare images for printing and the Web. On day 2, students will learn how to use color fills, gradients, patterns, and overlays. Students will also create layer masks, grayscale masks, and clipping masks to show or hide various parts of an image. Students will then learn how to create and edit paths and convert type to paths. In addition, students will learn how to apply a variety of creative effects, use the Vanishing Point feature and Smart Filters, create layer comps, and prepare images for use in video productions.

The Excel 2010: Level 1 course teaches the basic functions and features of Excel 2010. After an introduction to spreadsheet terminology and Excel's window components, students will learn how to use the Help system and navigate worksheets and workbooks. Then they will enter and edit text, values, formulas, and pictures, and they will save workbooks in various formats. Students will also move and copy data, learn about absolute and relative references, and work with ranges, rows, and columns. This course also covers simple functions, basic formatting techniques, and printing. Finally, students will create and modify charts, and learn how to manage large workbooks.

Whether students are all ready in the midst of a job search or just thinking about it, the Job Search: Getting Started course will help them to determine what their skill set is made up of, the kind of work that is important and realistic to include in their search, and how to get started. Students will learn to assess their skills, values, and beliefs about work and looking for opportunities. They will develop an understanding for the types of work available to students and where to find more information. They will recognize the differences and benefits available through career coaches, counselors, and mentors. Students will also learn different approaches to job searching, such as networking and tapping into the job market.

Classes will fill up fast!  To sign up for classes or receive more information, please log on to www.lajacc.org/training or by calling 1-888-487-2700.