Community Services: Persons with Disabilities

Did you know?

The Freeport Memorial Library is the only South Shore library to have on its premises a FREE video phone for our Deaf patrons that use ASL.  The video phone is located on the lower level near the public computers. 

Is there a difference between a book on CD and the books that one borrows from the Talking Books library?  In a word, yes.  In order to access the content on an audio CD, one must use a machine that plays CDs.  Often, CD players do not allow for the user to slow down or speed up the sound.  Talking books come in a format that allows the user more options as far as manipulating the audio file, including slowing down or speeding up sound.  There are machines available free of charge to qualified patrons in order to play a Talking Book.  There are also apps that can be downloaded that are specialized for playing a Talking Book file.  For more information, visit the National Library Service website.

The Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) sponsors a program called R.E.A.C.H. (Return Every Adult and Child Home).  The focus of the REACH program is to reduce notification time and minimize search areas in the case of a friend or a family that goes missing and who may not be able to speak for themselves.  The idea is to register individuals diagnosed with a cognitive disorder (Alzheimer's disease, Dementia,  Autism, etc.)  with the NCPD.  Registration details should include contact information, medical background, photographs and other pertinent details.  The information is stored on a secure website, created and overseen by NCPD.  Registration is FREE and it only takes 10 minutes.  To make an appointment to register, call the NCPD's  Asset Forfeiture Unit: 516-573-5775

In the year 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, which guarantees equality for the disabled. This clip is an excerpt from his remarks at the signing.