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News Release

Sherwood Public Library Is Bridging The Digital Divide For Vision & Hearing-Impaired Patrons - 03/12/26

Sherwood Public Library is taking a tremendous step to help vision and hearing-impaired patrons of all ages to access technology and better utilize the resources of the Sherwood Public Library, a member of the Washington County Cooperative Library Services located at 22560 SW Pine St. Sherwood, Oregon 97140. Sherwood Library Foundation won a notable grant from the Network of the National Library of Medicine, Region 5 and the National Institutes of Health under an agreement with the University of Washington, to equip Sherwood Public Library with three computer workstations with specialized software and accessories for vision and hearing-impaired patrons.

 

One workstation is a new professional-grade laptop with specialized software to create an accessible workstation for vision and hearing-impaired patrons.

 

In addition to the laptop, the grant also funds adaptive technology for two existing desktop computers, adaptive mice, large print-high contrast keyboards and a Nero Braille keyboard. As well, specialized JAWS software (a trusted screen reader) will be installed on three workstations. Also installed on all three workstations will be the TypeAbility typing program which interfaces with JAWS and helps visually impaired and one-handed typers use a standard keyboard. All workstations are operating on Windows 11, which includes many accessibility options.

 

Adrienne Doman Calkins, the manager of the Sherwood Public Library said: “I’m delighted and grateful to be able to add these resources to our library to better serve people with vision and hearing-impairments and increase access to digital tools and services everyone deserves to be able to use.”

 

Sherwood Public Library, a founding member of Washington County Cooperative Library Services since 1976, offers a locally curated collection of over 51,000 items. In addition to books, the library features a wide range of resources for all library patrons, including children, students, families and older adults.

 

Derek Sandell, President of the Tualatin Lions Club, which helps underserved people with vision and hearing issues throughout southern Washington County said: “This is a great step towards more independence for the vision and hearing impaired population and is a tool that takes us another stop closer to keep the Lions promise to Helen Keller to be the ‘Knights of the Blind’ in the fight against darkness.”

 

The Sherwood Library Foundation (SHELF) enriches the resources and services of the Sherwood Public Library by complementing public funding with charitable giving. SHELF Board Member and Project Director, Madeline Robinette said: “It is the mission of the Sherwood Library Foundation to create a more accessible and equitable space for all of our Sherwood citizens, and we are thrilled to bring this technology to the Sherwood Public Library as our inaugural project. Our next project, the ADA accessible meeting pod, is coming soon.”

 

Donations can be made at sherwoodlibraryfoundation.com, or a check can be mailed to P.O. Box 44, Sherwood, OR 97140.

 

Brad King, Secretary of the Tualatin Lions, said: “This is a wonderful tool that helps even the field for vision and hearing-impaired people, particularly students who can learn and use this technology to help reach their potential. We hope the Lions and the Sherwood Public Library can work together to bring more technology and services to this population.”

 

The staff and friends of the Sherwood Public Library look forward to seeing this new technology bridge the digital gap for vision and hearing-impaired clients.

 

The Sherwood Public Library Hours are:

Sunday - 1:00PM - 5:00PM

Mon-Wed - 10:00AM - 7:00PM

Thurs-Fri - 11:00AM - 6:00PM

Saturday - 10:00AM - 6:00PM

 

For more information, , please see sherwoodoregon.gov/library, askusSPL@sherwoodoregon.gov or call 503-625-6688. For more information about the Tualatin Lions Club, please email tualatinlions@gmail.com.

 

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Sherwood Public Library Is Bridging The Digital Divide For Vision & Hearing-Impaired Patrons - 03/12/26

Sherwood Public Library is taking a tremendous step to help vision and hearing-impaired patrons of all ages to access technology and better utilize the resources of the Sherwood Public Library, a member of the Washington County Cooperative Library Services located at 22560 SW Pine St. Sherwood, Oregon 97140. Sherwood Library Foundation won a notable grant from the Network of the National Library of Medicine, Region 5 and the National Institutes of Health under an agreement with the University of Washington, to equip Sherwood Public Library with three computer workstations with specialized software and accessories for vision and hearing-impaired patrons.

 

One workstation is a new professional-grade laptop with specialized software to create an accessible workstation for vision and hearing-impaired patrons.

 

In addition to the laptop, the grant also funds adaptive technology for two existing desktop computers, adaptive mice, large print-high contrast keyboards and a Nero Braille keyboard. As well, specialized JAWS software (a trusted screen reader) will be installed on three workstations. Also installed on all three workstations will be the TypeAbility typing program which interfaces with JAWS and helps visually impaired and one-handed typers use a standard keyboard. All workstations are operating on Windows 11, which includes many accessibility options.

 

Adrienne Doman Calkins, the manager of the Sherwood Public Library said: “I’m delighted and grateful to be able to add these resources to our library to better serve people with vision and hearing-impairments and increase access to digital tools and services everyone deserves to be able to use.”

 

Sherwood Public Library, a founding member of Washington County Cooperative Library Services since 1976, offers a locally curated collection of over 51,000 items. In addition to books, the library features a wide range of resources for all library patrons, including children, students, families and older adults.

 

Derek Sandell, President of the Tualatin Lions Club, which helps underserved people with vision and hearing issues throughout southern Washington County said: “This is a great step towards more independence for the vision and hearing impaired population and is a tool that takes us another stop closer to keep the Lions promise to Helen Keller to be the ‘Knights of the Blind’ in the fight against darkness.”

 

The Sherwood Library Foundation (SHELF) enriches the resources and services of the Sherwood Public Library by complementing public funding with charitable giving. SHELF Board Member and Project Director, Madeline Robinette said: “It is the mission of the Sherwood Library Foundation to create a more accessible and equitable space for all of our Sherwood citizens, and we are thrilled to bring this technology to the Sherwood Public Library as our inaugural project. Our next project, the ADA accessible meeting pod, is coming soon.”

 

Donations can be made at sherwoodlibraryfoundation.com, or a check can be mailed to P.O. Box 44, Sherwood, OR 97140.

 

Brad King, Secretary of the Tualatin Lions, said: “This is a wonderful tool that helps even the field for vision and hearing-impaired people, particularly students who can learn and use this technology to help reach their potential. We hope the Lions and the Sherwood Public Library can work together to bring more technology and services to this population.”

 

The staff and friends of the Sherwood Public Library look forward to seeing this new technology bridge the digital gap for vision and hearing-impaired clients.

 

The Sherwood Public Library Hours are:

Sunday - 1:00PM - 5:00PM

Mon-Wed - 10:00AM - 7:00PM

Thurs-Fri - 11:00AM - 6:00PM

Saturday - 10:00AM - 6:00PM

 

For more information, , please see sherwoodoregon.gov/library, askusSPL@sherwoodoregon.gov or call 503-625-6688. For more information about the Tualatin Lions Club, please email tualatinlions@gmail.com.

 

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