February is Low Vision Awareness Month, a time to learn about vision disabilities and understand how they affect the lives of the people who have them. Millions of Americans have vision impairment, including low vision, that can't be assisted by traditional treatments such as surgery or glasses. Canton Public Library has materials and devices available to assist.
The library offers Optelec low vision magnifiers of varying magnifications, which can be borrowed for at-home use. The magnifiers are kept in a glass display case near the large print books and public access computers.
To check one out, please see a librarian at the Information Desk. They'll open the case and help you pick out one that's right for you. Magnifiers can be checked out for three weeks, placed on hold, and will auto renew, just like books. Take a look at the Low Vision Borrower's Manual for more information about the devices and instructions for use.
In addition to magnifiers, the library has a wide selection of large print items, books on CD, and downloadable and streaming material that may be of interest to those with difficulty seeing. If you are interested in books on CD but don't have a CD player, we also have three CD players available to check out.
Need to use a computer? The library has five wheelchair-accessible internet stations with:
- Ergoguys Comfi wired ergonomic mice
- Ergoguys EZsee low vision keyboards
- 24" Dell monitors
The Canton Public Library is also a demonstration site for the State of Michigan's Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL), a partner organization with the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled of the Library of Congress. BTBL offers audiobooks, magazines and braille titles to Michigan residents with visual or physical disabilities who are unable to utilize standard print materials. Come in to see a demonstration of a talking audio book player or to enroll in BTBL.
Further Resources
- Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (State of Michigan)
- Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Southfield, MI)
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