Find Services for People with Disabilities

The Chicago Public Library (CPL) offers many services for people with disabilities.  For those who meet the eligibility requirements, the Talking Book Center located on the fifth floor of the Harold Washington Library Center (HWLC) has a wide variety of specialized services.  The following services are available to all.

Digital Audiobooks
Using a Chicago Public Library card, all patrons can download digital audiobooks via OverDrive.

Playaways
A playaway is a self-contained digital audiobook that is easier to use than an MP3 player, audiobooks on cassette or CD. There is nothing to download, no CDs or cassettes, no need for a separate player. Available at a number of branches, each comes preloaded with one book and runs on one AAA battery (provided); just press "play," pop in the ear buds (also provided) and listen.  Holds can be placed on any Playaway in the online catalog.

Large Print Books
These are books in which the type face is enlarged making it easier to read. HWLC has the system’s largest collection on the 7th floor, but smaller collections are available at several branches. Holds can be placed on any large print book in the online catalog.

Magnifiers
Black & white CCTV magnifiers are available on floors 4, 6 and 7 at HWLC. Materials placed under the Closed Circuit TV lens are magnified onto a screen. The following branch locations are also equipped with various magnifiers: Logan Square, Manning, Merlo, Portage-Cragin, Uptown, West Belmont, and Whitney M. Young, Jr.

JAWS
The Computer Commons, located on the 3rd floor of HWLC, has Special Needs (handicapped accessible) PCs that have been loaded with JAWS software enabling them to read aloud the words on the computer screen whether it is in a Microsoft Word document or on a webpage. Disposable headphones are available from the Computer Commons staff.

TTYs
Telephones specially equipped for use by the deaf. TTYs are available on floors 5 and 7 at HWLC. The following branch locations also have TTYs: Hegewisch, Uptown, Woodson, and Sulzer.

ASL Interpreters
The Library requires 10 business days advance notice to insure the services of an American Sign Language Interpreter for Library events or programs. Please schedule using the following telephone numbers: (312) 747-4252 (VOICE) or (312) 747-4066 (TTY)

Amplified Headphones
To request amplified headphones for programs at HWLC in the Auditorium, Video Theater or Multi-Purpose Rooms, call Corporate and Private Events at (312) 747-4130.