Going Beyond: A Workshop for the Blind and Physically Disabled
Anna Ercoli Schnitzer
InfoPoint Librarian
Health Sciences Libraries
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
On the afternoon of June 26, 2008, a small party of University of Michigan Health Sciences Libraries’ staff members (Kate MacDougall, Chrysta Meadowbrooke, Anne Perorazio, and Anna Ercoli Schnitzer) set out by AATA #4 bus to present a workshop at the Washtenaw Country Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled, located on the other side of Ann Arbor. Although at first it seemed as if the class would be limited to two select individuals, others continued to arrive until there were 10 class members with various physical disabilities-all eager to learn about MedlinePlus® and its contents. Anne recorded the entire presentation, and Chrysta did the driving with mouse and keyboard. A big screen permitted text large enough for almost all to see, but Anna promised to talk through the topics for the few who might have difficulty reading even text of this size.
We pointed out the central elements of the database, showed some of the video tutorials, and went into depth for some specific examples of diseases and drugs, occasionally asking for input from the audience-none of whom had previous familiarity with the database. Go Local was emphasized, which elicited many intelligent questions. We continued through ClinicalTrials,gov, which was the subject of intense interest, and NIH SeniorHealth with its audio aspects.
After the presentation, which lasted almost the entire two hours, we asked whether the class members felt comfortable with the databases just shown to them and whether they would familiarize themselves further and would use MedlinePlus in their future. We believe that all members of the audience responded in the affirmative. We left saying that we would be happy to come back to do another workshop on the same or a different topic.
The following day, one of the class participants, a woman with very limited vision, wrote an unsolicited review of the workshop. It was forwarded to us by Sonia Matthews, one of the two librarians at the Washtenaw County Library for the Blind. It is excerpted below:
I thought the program today was really informative and sent the following out to many of my friends near and far, including many who foolishly missed coming to the presentation. Thanks for another great program.
I just attended a seminar on obtaining accurate Medical information on all types of diseases and disorders, including clinical trials here and all over the world, a medical encyclopedia, drugs and supplements, a dictionary, current news, directories and local info, - you name it… Forget google.
The site you want is www.medlineplus.gov.
Needless to say, we were very pleased with this positive review of our presentation and are planning to give another program on MedlinePlus at the Library next spring.
