Accessibility

Resources for People with Hearing Disabilities

• Library events on Zoom include live captions. Learn about enabling live captions in this how-to guide.
• Hearing loop technology, which sends sound directly to people whose hearing aids have telecoils, is provided in the Business and Community Center, Cosmos Room, Activity Room, Storytime Room, and Radmacher Room. 
• Individual hearing devices are available for events in the Petty Auditorium, which can be used in conjunction with hearing aids with telecoils or separately.
• We use the Live Transcribe app to visually display what staff are saying in the Studio.
• We provide closed–captioned videos on our website and YouTube channel.
• Sign language interpreters can be provided for library events with at least a two week advance notice before the event. Call 847-324-3121 to request a sign language interpreter.

Resources for People with Mobility Disabilities

• Our building is fully accessible, with electronic entry doors and wheelchair-accessible restrooms, drinking fountain, and elevator.
• One of the first-floor restrooms has an adult changing table. 
• A wheelchair and an electronic scooter are available.
• We can mail copies of reference materials.
• Home delivery of books, CDs, movies, magazines, and audiobooks is available to those who are homebound.

Homebound Delivery

If you have a Skokie Public Library card but can’t visit our building because of age, illness, or a temporary or permanent disability, we’ll bring the library to you. Call 847-324-3116 to register for our free homebound delivery service. Staff and volunteers will help select and deliver library materials to your door every four weeks.

Resources for People with Visual Disabilities

• You can check out large-print books and magazines, download books and audiobooks, or check out books on CD.
• We offer a monthly Low Vision Support Group and a Talking Books Discussion Group.
• We can make referrals to the State of Illinois Talking Books and Braille Service.
• We offer computers and laptops with NonVisual Desktop Access, a free and open-source, portable screen reader for Microsoft Windows.
• TOPAZ OCR Desktop Video Magnifier and SARA and SOLO LV reading machines are available.

Low Vision Support Group

We offer a monthly discussion for people who have been diagnosed with an eye condition or have a family member who has vision impairment. A licensed social worker from Friedman Place, a nonprofit organization that provides housing and supportive services to adults who are blind or visually impaired, will address current research, assistive devices, and community resources. Sign up for upcoming meetings.

Talking Books Discussion Group

Those with visual impairments are invited to this monthly discussion of fiction and nonfiction works. Talking Books materials are mailed to all registered participants several weeks before the discussion. Call 847-324-3185 to learn more.

Quiet SPACES 

The second floor Quiet Room is for patrons who may need to take a break and be alone for a little while, or need a place to pray. It has adjustable lighting and bench seating. Please ask at the second floor Help Desk for access to this room.

The Sensory Break Room in the Kids Room offers three types of seating, adjustable color-changing lights, calming storybooks, and sensory supports. Caregivers can use this room with children to help manage meltdowns, calm anxiety, or bring a child's energy down. Please ask at the Kids Desk for access to this room. Read the Sensory Break Room guidelines.

RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES 

• Prepare for your visit to the library by reading our social narrative.
• Use our Sensory Break Room to help manage meltdowns, calm anxiety, or bring your child’s energy level down.  
• Ask for an Activity Bin or Sensory Kit at the Kids Desk to use while in the library. Each container has a variety of switch-activated toys, fine-motor manipulatives, and sensory-input devices.
• Depending on your child’s reading needs, check out braille, large print or e-books.
• Listen to books by checking out read-along books, book with CD sets, and e-audiobooks.
• Contact Holly Jin to request a visual schedule for an upcoming kids event.

FUN WITH RAINBOW THERAPY DOGS 

Children with disabilities are invited to enjoy the benefits of interacting with trained therapy dogs. Rainbow dog handlers will work with the children to strengthen motor skills, learn social skills, and improve language use. Children attend with the assistance of their parent or caregiver. Call 847-673-7774 to learn more.