The Downtown Library has a new dedicated area of assistive technology devices that are available for anyone with a visual or learning disability, including a Kurzweil 1000 scanning station and JAWS text-to-speech software, a Braille embosser, a closed circuit reader and magnifiers at all public desks. Public computers at Malletts Creek, Traverwood, West and Downtown Youth have JAWS, and a function that enlarges type is on all public computers. Assistive technology trainer, Nick Wilcox, is ready to help walk-in patrons on the second floor at the Downtown Library from 2-6pm on Tuesdays or by requesting an appointment at WLBPD: 734-327-4224.

community

Community Collaborative Outreach Gift Board, a nonprofit organization whose primary function is to improve the lives of the citizens of the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area, is hosting a holistic health fair on Saturday, August 29, from 10:00am until 2:00pm. The fair will be held in the Fellowship Hall of Community Church of God located at 565 Jefferson Avenue in Ypsilanti and will address issues relating to health, education, children, veterans, seniors, and finance. This will be a great family event with light refreshments, prizes, and trinkets. There will truly be something for everyone!

The Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicappped (NLS) offers an extensive music program for its patrons. The NLS Music Services has scores, music theory, instrument instruction, biographies, and articles reprinted from periodicals. They are available in large print, Braille, Web-Braille, and on cassette. Anyone residing in the U.S. or its territories, or an American citizen living abroad, whose visual or physical impairment prevents them from reading regular-print, is eligible. Music lovers with disabilities can get in tune with this wonderful program by calling 800-424-8567 or by going to the NLS Web site.