Disability Awareness Month

 Inclusion treasures diversity and builds community


 

House Bill 3616 was passed in 2011 designating October as Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month in Texas.  The bill strives to increase public awareness of the many achievements of people with disabilities; encourage public understanding of the disability rights movement; reaffirm the local, state, and federal commitment to providing equality and inclusion for people with disabilities; and promote respect for and better treatment of people with disabilities in Texas.


 

 


Events


 

 

Featured Event

 

 The troupe performing @ The River 2012 Dream Out Loud Celebration

 

The River Performance Troupe and the Down Syndrome Association of Houston's Pantomime Troupe

 

Heights Neighborhood Library

Saturday - October 20 2012 | 1:00 PM

 

The River is a program of TUTS Education, whose mission is to provide an accessible, affordable fine arts education for special children ages 2-19 that have disabilities, chronic illnesses, or are economically disadvantaged.  The River offers year-round, barrier-free classes in music, art, drama and dance.


 

4th Annual Disability Awareness Month Kickoff

Starring:  Bill Klein with the Little Couple (TLC)

Friday, October 5 | 10 AM

Metropolitan Multi-Service Center | 1475 W. Gray Houston, Texas  77019


 

Notice My Ability

October 2012 Calendar of Events for Houston

 


 

Disability Awareness Themed Storytimes

  

Hillendahl Neighborhood Library

Tuesday - October 9 2012 | 10:30 AM 

  

Ring Neighborhood Library

Wednesday - October 10 2012 | 10:30 AM 


 

Storytimes with Sign Language Translation

 

Henington-Alief Regional Library

Tuesday - October 16 2012 | 11:00 AM 

 

Kendall Neighborhood Library

Wednesday - October 17 2012 | 12:30 AM


 

Braille Presentation

 

Henington-Alief Regional Library

Thursday - October 18 2012 | 4:00 PM  


 

 


Reading Lists


 

Suggested Reading for Adults

 

Suggested Reading for Kids

 

Suggested Reading for Teens

 


Services for People with Disabilities


 

The Houston Public Library offers many services for people with disabilities and/or special needs.

 

 

Video Relay Services

 

The Central Library provides access to two Video Relay Services (VRS):  the Purple Public Video Phone located in the Access Center and the PAV (Public Access Videophone), located in a phone alcove on the first floor.  Both services allow deaf and hard of hearing people the ability to make Video Relay Service (VRS) and Point to Point (P2P) calls in public locations.

 

 

The Access Center


The Access Center for people with visual and hearing disabilities located on the first floor of the Central Library provides special adaptive equipment, materials in accessible formats, and library services for patrons with special needs who are:

  • Blind and/or visually impaired
  • Deaf and/or hearing impaired

The Access Center is open during Central’s regular hours of operation. Appointments for tours and orientations are requested.
 

For appointments and reference questions please call: 
832-393-1313/TTY 832-393-1542

 

Access on Demand

 

Houston Public Library has two 17-inch laptops with JAWS (screen reading software) and ZoomText (screen magnification software) available for in-house use.

 

In order to request this equipment, you may contact staff at any Houston Public Library location, over the phone, or via e-mail.

 

  • With advance notice of 24 hours, these laptops can be shipped to any Houston Public Library location.
  • A 24 inch monitor is also available upon request.