Follow this link to search this site or this link to skip to page content
header graphic header graphic
header graphic Home Catalog Research Events About Us Library Cards
Page content starts here

Disability Resources

Table of Contents:

ADA Access Services at Mesa Public Library

Books

  • Books can also be retrieved from stacks by library staff on request.

  • The library contains a Large Type collection of fiction, non-fiction and periodicals.

Building Facilities

  • The Library building and restrooms are wheelchair-accessible.

  • The Library Entrance has automatic doors for wheelchair access.

Hardware Aids

  • One optical magnification machine is available for use in the Main library.

Homebound Program

Online Library Catalog

  • The Online Catalog, iPac, is available onsite and via our web site.

Parking

  • Wheelchair-accessible parking spaces are available adjacent to library at each location.

Software Aids

ZoomText

  • ZoomText, a screen magnification program is available on selected public computer terminals at all Mesa Public Library locations.

JAWS

  • JAWS, a screen reading program, is available on selected public computer terminals at all Mesa Public Library locations.

  • It is important to note that while JAWS allows keystroke operation of the computer and software, the computer cannot be operated based on speech.

ADA Computer Workstations

Our ADA computer workstations all are Infinity Stations with 19" flat panel monitors. There are built in speakers, as well as a headphone jack on the monitor. (Headphones are not provided by the library) The Infinity Station is ADA compliant and accessible for wheelchair users, children and adults can all use the same workstation by quickly changing the work surface and monitor heights. The Flat Panel Monitor Arm has a large range of movements, the forward position can be beneficial for low vision applications. ADA compliant workstations are available at each branch.

Talking Book Program

TTY (Teletype Device)

  • There is a TTY telephone available for public use at the Main Library on the second floor. Please go to the Ask Here desk for assistance.

  • The Reference Desk at each location may be contacted via teletype device. The TTY phone numbers are:

    • Main Library: (480) 644-2639

    • Dobson Ranch Branch: (480) 644-2966

    • Red Mountain Branch: (480) 644-2921

Wheelchairs

  • Two motorized mobility scooters are available for public use at our Red Mountain Branch library.

Assistive Technology

Adaptive Technologies in Arizona Libraries List of Arizona libraries that provide services and/or equipment such as TDD/TTY, large print collections, books on tape, wheelchair accessible workstation, CCTV talking book exchange, screen enlarger, etc.

Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP) Its mission is to increase access to assistive technology devices and services.

Easter Seals Provides training on Assistive Technology to schools and community organizations.

Southwest Human Development Information, advocacy, product guidance, and training.

back to top

Blind / Visually Impaired Resources

Arizona Braille and Talking Book Library Loans recorded books, magazines, and playing equipment; provides two telephone-based services: Newsline (news from selected newspapers), and Jobline (with information drawn from America's Job Bank.

Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Provides counseling, mobility instruction, rehabilitation, social opportunities, and more.

Foundation for Blind Children Assists children, from infancy through adolescence, to succeed in all aspects of life - social, educational, and vocational.


Caregivers - Respite Services

National Respite Locator Service - Arizona Listings Select Arizona from the drop down,

Special Help and Respite Exchange (S.H.A.R.E.) Network A network of families and friends sharing services and equipment for those with special healthcare needs.

TCH - The Centers for Habilitation Provides respite and many other services.
 

Deaf / Hard-of-Hearing Resources

Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing This Arizona state agency is a referral and information source for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, legislators, government agencies, businesses, and consumers.

Arizona Relay Service Acts as a communication bridge between individuals who have speech or hearing impairments and users of standard telecommunication devices.

 

Developmental Disabilities

TCH - The Centers for Habilitation A variety of instructional programs, residential care, home-based supports, and employment services to people with disabilities.

Employment

AbilityLinks.org
The job opportunity website for persons with disabilities and inclusive employers. Click “Job Seekers” area for listings.

DisABLEDPerson.com
Jobs can be browsed by category, or searched by job title, description, or location.

Disability.gov
Federal website connecting the disability community to information and opportunities. Click “Employment” on the left-side menu for options. “Job and Career Planning” section includes online job banks.

USAjobs.gov
Federal site features section for Individuals with Disabilities.

 

Employment and Rehabilitation Services

Arizona Braille and Talking Book Library Provides Jobline, a telephone-based job announcement service with information drawn from America's Job Bank. Available to those who cannot read printed material due to a visual or physical disability.

Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration Vocational and independent living rehabilitation, employment support services.

TCH - The Centers for Habilitation Job training, vocational guidance, placement services.


General Information and Referrals 

Arizona Community Action Association Promotes economic self-sufficiency for low-income people and provides the People's Information Guide which provides information about disability services and advocacy assistance resources.

Arizona Self Help Find out if you qualify for assistance programs such as food stamps, Head Start, medical assistance and federal housing assistance.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities  Services for families, educators, administrators, journalists, and  students. Special focus on children and youth (birth to age 22).

Community Information & Referral Assists all Arizonans who need resources to help people with disabilities.

Mesa Partnership for Children with Special Health Care Needs Local organization assisting parents with children with special needs.

Southwest Human Development (SWHD) Non-profit organization provides services to children and families dealing with issues of health, child abuse and neglect, mental health, poverty, and disabilities.

Valley Special People Resources for families with special needs children


 

Independent Living Centers

Arizona Bridge to Independent Living This organization provides information, training, and support to people with disabilities who wish to live independently.

 

Legal Resources

Advocates for the Disabled, Inc. Helps qualified individuals with disabilities obtain social security benefits.

Arizona Center for Disability Law Assists individuals to be free from abuse, neglect, and discrimination, and to have access to education, health care, jobs, and other services.

Fair Housing Law - Dept. of Housing and Urban Development How and where to file a Fair Housing complaint.
 


 

Sports / Recreation

ARCH - Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped Programs in Special Olympics training, art, drama, music, cooking, money management, independent living, adaptive aquatics, physical fitness, and more.


Statistics

Access to Disability Data: An InfoUse Project InfoUse is a research firm that specializes in the development of health, disability and rehabilitation information. Check their Organizations link to many other statistical data resources.

International Center for Disability Information: Disability Tables Information from many sources, compiled by state, for the U.S., and the world. Provided by the West Virginia Research and Training Center, jointly administered by the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services and West Virginia University.

U.S. Census Bureau A brief text-based population overview of Americans with disabilities.

U.S. Census Bureau Data on Disability This data is drawn from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), the decennial census of population, and the Current Population Survey (CPS).
 

Transportation

Maricopa County - Dial-A-Ride Directory For senior citizens and people with disabilities. This site lists phone numbers for all Dial-A-Ride providers in Maricopa County. See below for Dial-A-Ride providers that have their own web sites.

Maricopa County - Valley Metro Fare, route and schedule information. Also find information on local shuttle service in Tempe, Glendale, and Phoenix. All buses are wheelchair accessible.

 

TTY directories: Directories of organizations and agencies with Teletype devices.


Footer links: Mesaaz.gov/Residents Mesaaz.gov/Visitor Mesaaz.gov/Business Mesaaz.gov/Government Mesaaz.gov/Jobs Add to MyMesa Contact Us Feedback Policies and Disclaimers Mesaaz.gov
page footer
Mesaaz.gov/Services Mesaaz.gov/ToDo Mesaaz.gov/Business Mesaaz.gov/Government Mesaaz.gov/Jobs Contact Information Feedback Policies User Survey Mesaaz.gov