Capitol News

Michigan State University Libraries is hosting an exhibit titled "Universal Access: Accessibility in the Library World," showcasing their commitment to accessibility. The exhibit, located at the MSU Libraries Main Gallery, will be available until February 5 and can also be accessed online. It features audio files accessible via QR codes.

Curated by library staff from various units including the Accessibility and User Experience teams, as well as University Archives, the exhibit highlights efforts to make collections and spaces widely available. Heidi Schroeder, Head of Accessibility, noted the collaborative nature of this project. “It was great to work with units across the Libraries to install this exhibit and showcase how accessibility has been and continues to be a priority for us,” Schroeder stated.

Key features include interactive sensory experiences such as a hearing loss simulation in a sound dome and tactile maps. The sound dome includes an interview with MSU accessibility pioneers Eric Gentile and Judy Taylor, demonstrating hearing loss effects through modified filters.

The tactile table presents 3D-printed objects from MSU Libraries’ Hollander Makerspace alongside a globe from the Map Library’s collection of braille resources. These assistive technologies aim to improve functional capabilities for individuals with disabilities.

The Assistive Technology Center (ATC) on the first floor offers resources like adjustable desks, SARA Scanning & Reader Appliance, and Perkins Brailler. Annika Arney, former Student Assistive Technology Manager at MSU, emphasized its convenience for students' coursework needs. “The space is convenient to use...the student can ask for the room to be unlocked when they have a need for it,” Arney mentioned.

This article was initially published on lib.msu.edu.