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Page 19 Vol. 67, No. 1, Spring 2003 Mississippi LibrariesWhat’s So Special About…Edited by: Peggy Price, The University of Southern MississippiA Different Kind of Library: Toy Libraryand Technology Learning CenterBy Sara JacksonAssociate ProfessorDivision of Education and PsychologyUSM – Gulf CoastSara.Jackson@usm.eduToy Library and Technology LearningCenter (TLC), located on The Universityof Southern Mississippi’s Gulf CoastCampus in Long Beach, is a speciallibrary filled with toys and equipmentdesigned to improve quality of life forpeople with disabilities. TLC’s expertise inthe area of assistive technology makes itpossible to provide necessary training toindividuals, their families, teachers, andother related professionals in the field.The goal of the Center is to make assistivetechnology a reality for all individualswith disabilities in South Mississippi.Just like books in a “regular” librarythe specialty items in TLC’s inventory canbe borrowed by anyone with a disability.The extensive library of assistive technologyincludes:• Specially adapted toys like drums activatedby switches for children who haveno movement in their hands or arms;• Environmental control devices allowinga person with paralysis to activateeveryday household appliances;• Specially designed computer accessdevices for children who cannot use akeyboard or a mouse;• Augmentative communication devicesfor persons who are unable to speak;• Adaptive fishing devices for personswhose disability makes it impossible tofish independently;• Special wheelchairs, some designedfor use on sandy beaches and some forhiking trails;• Tennis wheelchairs;• Flotation devices for children whosedisabilities make it difficult to swim;• Recreational devices such as a bowlingdevice for a person in a wheelchair.All of these assistive technologydevices are purchased by TLC andloaned free of charge to any person with adisability. Since this equipment is veryexpensive for an individual to purchase,the library ensures that those who needthe technology have access to it.TLC first performs a technology needsassessment for each client. After individualneeds are determined, a trial and errorapproach is used with an array of availableequipment. After selecting the bestdevice, TLC trains the individual and theindividual’s parent or teacher in the use ofthe technology.But TLC is not only a library; it is amodel demonstration/training programthat delivers services that are not otherwiseprovided in the community. Providingconsultation for special education teachersChristy Sellers plays a computer game by using theIntellikeys, an alternative keyboard that enables studentswith physical, visual, or cognitive disabilitiesto easily type.in the area of assistive technology hasbeen an ongoing activity of TLC since itsinception. The Center provides trainingand consultation to teachers in the localschools to assist them in providing an educationto students with special needs.Because new developments in technologiesare growing at such a rapid rate, TLCstaff members make staying informedabout technology applications a priority.Staff offer special education professionalsin the field a readily available consultant torecommend equipment that can enhancethe education and quality of life of childrenand youth with disabilities.Consultation services of TLC havegreat potential to positively impact schooldistrict expenditures by eliminating thechance that what is purchased throughcatalog sales is not a “good fit” with theindividual’s needs or disabilities. The Centerprovides a hands on technology labwhere teachers and USM Education studentshave the opportunity to “try out” varioustechnology and software which supporteducational goals for children with disabilities.TLC staff demonstrate the proper utilizationof assistive technology to in-serviceand pre-service teachers. The modeldemonstration lab of state-of-the-art technologyhelps train teachers before they everenter the classroom about the power oftechnology solutions for students with disabilities.TLC takes the position that theteacher is the key to effective implementationof assistive technology in the classroom,and that it is essential that teachersenter the profession with a working knowledgeof current technologies.The Toy Library and TechnologyLearning Center is located on USM’s(continued on page 28)