There is a new move afoot called Universal Design. The idea is that what helps someone with some kind of disability actually benefits everyone. Rather than making accommodations for someone with special needs, you plan for the broadest possible access without making anyone have to ask for help. The example given is that although curbs were altered to allow for wheelchair access, the lowered curbs also helped many others including moms with baby strollers, people with walkers, skateboarders, bicycles, etc. An interesting concept with no small amount of merit.
For our reserve system, that means we have to provide access to the thousands of articles that professors put online for course readings in numerous formats. No small feat for sure. I call on our technology department to help us with a conversion plan. To my amazement and delight, they are already working on a special drive where you can drag a pdf into a folder and it is automatically converted into a word doc (and vice versa). Somehow I should not be surprised at this magic answer to what might have been a daunting process.
They promise to make it ready for us soon. Meanwhile, they will take care of the immediate needs until it is up and running. Answers before you even know there will be questions. Too bad more of life isn't like that. Or is it?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment