Appealing To The Senses: Senator Murphy's $5,000 Grant Helps Mahopac Library Upgrade Services For Sight & Sound Impaired

Mahopac, NY - Physical impairments such as nearsightedness, blindness and deafness have long hampered people's ability to learn and grow. Thanks to a $5,000 grant secured by Senator Terrence Murphy, the Mahopac Public Library has enhanced its ability to better serve impaired students and adults with a thirst for knowledge.

"People dealing with advanced or progressive loss of vision or other impairments shouldn't be encumbered in their quest to better themselves," said Senator Murphy. "With the addition of these new educational tools, the Mahopac Public Library has put itself in the forefront of adaptive technology."

 
The grant was used to purchase a myriad of products for library patrons afflicted with low vision or blindness including ZoomText Fusion, Dragon text to Speech, a Duxbury Braille Translator, and large print keyboards for PC and Mac computers. The library acquired a Sorensen Relay Service VideoPhone and Webcam for the deaf and hard of hearing, and purchased new trackball, joystick and camera mice for users with diminished coordination or strength.
 
The Mahopac Library has been dedicated to quality library service to the community for more than 50 years. It began in a classroom at Lakeview School in 1952 with a $50 budget and a donated collection of adult books. A new 30,000 square foot library opened in 2004. In addition to its vast catalogue, the library hosts art exhibitions and concerts.