Technology provides equal access to information and helps people with visual impairments to complete tasks more independently. Among various assistive technology options for people with visual impairments, braille notetakers have been considered the most significant because of their technological innovation. Braille notetakers allow users who are…

This guide is designed for use by information technology administrators, data specialists, and program staff responsible for the "content" in data reports, as well as education leaders (e.g., administrators who prioritize tasks for technical and data staff), and other stakeholders who have an interest in seeing that schools, school…

Describes the results of a literature survey on recent developments in national information policies in the area of universal access that tries to ensure equal access to information, and considers the digital divide. Highlights include policies in Australia, Canada, the European Union, Hong Kong, the United States, and Okinawa. (Contains 64…

Discusses issues involved in the creation of the National Research and Education Network (NREN). Telecommunications technology is described; support from industry and libraries is discussed; and problems with NREN are raised, including equal access to computerized information, privacy issues, and protection of First Amendment rights. (LRW)

Discussion of the digital divide in access to the Internet focuses on differences in people's online skills and therefore access to information based on age, gender, and technology experience. Findings suggest wide differences in search strategies, ability to find various types of content, and how long it takes. Demographics of respondents are…

Discusses information overload and society's and libraries' responses to technology. Considers eight values that libraries should focus on and how they relate to technology in libraries: democracy, stewardship, service, intellectual freedom, privacy, rationalism, equity of access, and building harmony and balance. (LRW)

The World Summit on the Information Society will be held in two phases: Geneva, December 10-12, 2003 and Tunis in 2005. The Summit began as an initiative of the 1998 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference when it was recognized that the gap between information "haves" and "have nots" was increasing while at the same time…

Describes an interdisciplinary seminar that addressed the topic of the "digital divide." Presents examples of how different types of classroom instruction--lecture, computer hands-on, reading, small-group discussion, and final paper--were used to highlight technological barriers, educational barriers, logistical and financial barriers,…

Examines issues of access, copyright, and intellectual property in the global information infrastructure. Highlights include policy application to higher education; policy platforms; access and gender equity; copyright and intellectual property; the National Information Infrastructure; digital libraries and electronic publishing; and balancing the…

Examines economic and social indicators of our multiracial and multiethnic society to provide an information base for decision-making about effective library services. The statistical profile describes the demography, economic well-being, and educational attainment of principal racial and Hispanic origin groups. Data show progress has occurred,…

Discusses issues involved in the provision of accessible digital educational material to people with disabilities. Topics include legislation in the United Kingdom and the United States; assistive technologies to use the Web; inaccessible Web sites; possible solutions; accessibility guidelines; reasons for ensuring accessible content; and…

Considers issues related to information equality from a theory-driven empirical perspective. Highlights include a case study of UCITA (Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act); issues for libraries, including licensing; issues for software developers; social constraints in a dynamic social environment with changing situational contexts; and…

Discusses technology and its effects on society and humans, particularly library and information technology. Highlights include the evolving history of technology; and values related to technology in libraries, including democracy, stewardship, service, intellectual freedom, privacy, literacy and learning, rationalism, and equity of access. (LRW)

This column identifies 10 World Wide Web sites for information pertaining to assistive technologies and services for persons with disabilities. Affiliated with the American Association of Higher Education (AAHE), this list is geared for librarians concerned with providing equal access and quality services to their patrons with disabilities.…

Discusses issues related to electronic publishing. Topics include writing; reading; production, distribution, and commerce; copyright and ownership of intellectual property; archival storage; technical obsolescence; control of content; equality of access; and cultural changes. (Author/LRW)