Libraries Advancing Accessibility: Using PLA's New Toolkit to Support Patrons with Apple Devices
On-Demand
Webinar
Accessibility is central to making libraries welcoming, human-centered, and truly public. In this on-demand webinar, PLA shares the new Libraries Advancing Accessibility Toolkit, which helps staff and patrons increase access to and awareness of settings, apps, and resources available on the iPad and iPhone. The toolkit supports older adults, people with low vision, and users with hand motor issues, such as tremors, arthritis, or limited dexterity. Participants are encouraged to bring their iPhones and iPads to explore some of the accessibility tools featured in the toolkit during the session. Leave with practical tips and tools to expand tech training and one-on-one support in your library.
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this on-demand webinar, participants will be able to:
- Identify tools to build staff comfort and confidence using Apple accessibility features;
- Identify tools to help patrons build comfort and confidence using Apple accessibility features in a workshop, one-on-one interactions, and/or on their own; and
- Identify materials you can use to assist patrons in exploring Apple accessibility features in a workshop, one-on-one interactions, and/or on their own.
Additional Resources
- Slideshow (PDF)
- Libraries Advancing Accessibility Toolkit:
- Apple Resources:
- Chat Transcript (PDF)
Panelists
Patricia B. Ball, PhD (she/her) is branch manager of Stratton Branch, part of Cobb County Public Library System located in Marietta, GA. Ball is a passionate advocate for equal access to library services for all. She is committed to serving the unserved and underserved. Ball believes that access to broadband is a right for every citizen and works to help alleviate the inequalities created by the digital divide in her community.
Witt Salley is the teen services librarian at Quince Orchard Library, a branch of Montgomery County (MD) Public Libraries, where he develops programs for teens and emerging adults and provides reference, technology, and digital literacy support to patrons across age groups. Salley serves as secretary of the Maryland Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Panel and as a member of PLA's Digital Literacy Advisory Group. Earlier in his career, he led award-winning online learning units in higher education and now applies that experience to instructional design, digital access, and equitable lifelong learning in public libraries.
Christiana VanPelt is a senior professional learning specialist supporting Apple’s Community Education Initiative, where she works to expand equitable access to education through technology, creativity, and community-connected learning. With a background as an elementary teacher and STEM curriculum specialist, Christiana is passionate about designing transformative learning experiences that integrate coding, computational thinking, and interdisciplinary STEM initiatives into culturally responsive instruction. With a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Spelman College and a Master’s in Computing in Education from Columbia University Teachers College, Christiana champions education as a catalyst for change, equipping both students and educators with the tools to think critically, create boldly, and shape a more just and connected world.
Michelle Frisque is a technology leader focused on technology adoption, digital equity, design thinking, and executing transformative organizational change with a human touch. She has a Master of Learning and Organization Change from Northwestern University and a Master of Library and Information Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh.
Accommodations
This on-demand webinar is captioned in English (United States).
If you have a physical or communication need that may affect your access to this on-demand webinar, please contact us at plawebinars@ala.org or 800-545-2433 ext. 5PLA (5752) prior to registering so we can attempt to provide appropriate accommodations.
Tech Requirements
To play this on-demand webinar you should use a browser with native HTML5 support. Please use the most up-to-date version available of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, or Edge. A fast Internet connection and computer is recommended.
Viewers are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence, machine learning, large language model, automated decision-making tool, or any other software or tools to record this event and from using this event to train, develop, or improve any artificial intelligence system, machine learning model, or similar automated technology. This does not preclude viewers' personal use of AI notetaking tools for accessibility purposes.
Presented By:
