LEAP Interns 2025: What We Learned at the Library

This summer, The Seattle Public Library was thrilled to have Jesse and Gideon join us as part of a multi-week summer paid program focused on career preparation for Washington’s blind and visually impaired young people. They helped out in the Library Equal Access Program (LEAP), made zines that are being added to the ZAPP collection, and learned a lot about the library. Here is what they shared about their time here.

Jessie: Exploring Special Collections

This summer I was working at the Seattle Public Library with LEAP for about a month through a program of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind called YES2.

Part of the Central Library that really interested me was the Seattle Room on the tenth floor. The Seattle Room is an area of the library that has maps, old newspapers and other historic Seattle items. A few interesting things I found on the Seattle Room Digital Collections section of the library’s website were a map, an old real estate advertisement, and a photograph.

The map I found was titled Anderson Map Co’s King Co. Atlas, 1907 – Page 03, Township 21N, Range 3E. A few observations I have made are that all the lots seem to have names attached to them, it’s got a strange border around the outside of the paper, and it seems to have been a lot of work for the person who created it.

The real estate advertisement is titled University Lake-Shore Addition, ca. 1910. A few observations I am able to make about it are how the paper seemed to me marked in a way indicating it was folded more than a couple times such as a roadmap and how it is formatted on the front page with a large illustration surrounded with captions.

The photograph I found was titled Old American Fruit Company produce stall at Pike Place Market. A few observations I made are that Pike Place Market must have been around for a while since it’s where the photo was taken, the layout of produce is similar to current produce at the market, and things were a lot cheaper then!

Have you explored the Seattle Room Digital Collections site? What have you found there?

 

Gideon: Assistive Technology at the LEAP Lab

When I used to think of libraries, I thought of books only. I was genuinely surprised to see all the assistive technology in the LEAP lab. I love how tech has improved accessibility to stories, learning, and supports independence for patrons of all abilities. I enjoy watching assistive technology evolve to help people with visual impairments interact with literature and the digital world. In the lab I have had the chance to use magnifiers, braille embossers and screen readers, each are great tools.

Screen readers like JAWS and NVDA are some of the coolest tools in the accessibility toolkit. I like NVDA more because it’s free. Screen readers convert written text into spoken words or braille output, allowing users to read eBooks, manage documents, and browse the web on their own. JAWS is known for its cool features and compatibility, while NVDA is an open-source option that comes at no cost. JAWS is available on all internet computers at every Seattle Public Library location. NVDA is free and easy to download on any computer.

I’ve enjoyed using ZoomText in the LEAP lab as well. ZoomText provides advanced screen magnification. It enlarges text, adjusts contrast, and applies custom color filters to make digital content easier to see. I use it to navigate the web and explore digital content. ZoomText helps make sure what’s on screen is exactly how you need it. This software is also installed on every library internet computer.

I love braille embossers because they convert digital text into braille quickly and with precision. These devices are used to help patrons who read in braille by offering fast access to printed materials. LEAP’s embosser setup makes it possible to turn any compatible document into braille on demand, reaffirming that accessibility isn’t optional—it’s part of the mission.

I love the LEAP lab in the library because of their vast amount of tech. I’m always interested in tech and how it can reach others with disabilities. I’m so happy to have this experience. I recommend the LEAP lab to anyone with disabilities.