The gear library
Borrow it, use it, bring it back.
Around forty pieces of access equipment live in the garage behind our office. Loans are free, last two weeks, and renew if nobody is waiting.
On the shelves
What you can borrow right now
Portable ramps: 2, 4, 6 and 10 ft5 of 9 inTwo weeks
Aluminum folding ramps for steps, vans and front porches. The 10 ft ramp needs two people to carry; we'll help load it.
Get connectedHearing loop kit2 of 3 inOne weekend
A portable induction loop for rooms up to 60 people, with a microphone and a laminated set-up card. Works with any hearing aid that has a T-coil.
Get connectedShower chair and transfer bench3 of 4 inFour weeks
For after surgery, or for a visiting relative. Cleaned and bagged between loans.
Get connectedStair-climbing wheelchairBooked to Oct 24One day, with training
Battery-powered, for getting someone up or down a flight of stairs. A member shows you how to use it before it leaves.
Get connectedPocket talkers6 of 6 inTwo weeks
Personal amplifiers with headphones, for one-to-one conversations in noisy places.
Get connectedQuiet kit2 of 2 inOne weekend
Ear defenders, two dimmable lamps, fidget tools and a pop-up tent for setting up a quiet corner at an event.
Get connectedBraille and large-print label maker1 of 1 inOne week
For labelling a kitchen, a classroom or a church hall. Comes with a roll of tape and a cheat sheet.
Get connectedPick-up and return
When the garage is open
Come to the step-free side door on Winnebago Street. Ring the bell if the door is shut.
Open nowClosed now
Closes at Opens
todaytomorrowCan't get here? We deliver ramps and shower chairs anywhere in Madison on Saturday afternoons. Call (555) 016-2200.
| MondayToday | Closed |
|---|---|
| TuesdayToday | 3:00 PM – 7:00 PMEvening hours for people who work days |
| WednesdayToday | Closed |
| ThursdayToday | 5:30 PM – 6:30 PMReturns only, before the Thursday Social |
| FridayToday | Closed |
| SaturdayToday | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| SundayToday | Closed |
Holiday closures
- Thu, Nov 26Thanksgiving Closed. Returns can wait until Saturday.
- Thu, Dec 24 – Fri, Jan 1Winter break Closed. Loans out over the break extend automatically.
Donate gear
What the library needs next
We take clean, working equipment. Counts update after Saturday sign-out.
Updated Saturday, Oct 3
- Urgent
Folding ramps, 6 to 10 ft
Aluminum, with a weight rating of 600 lb or more.
4 ramps still needed
2 of 6
- This month
Rollators with seats
Brakes must work. We replace worn tips.
3 rollators still needed
5 of 8
- This month
Big-button phones
Landline or mobile, with amplified sound.
7 phones still needed
3 of 10
- Always welcome
AA, AAA and 9V batteries
Unopened packs, for the loops and pocket talkers.
60 batteries still needed
140 of 200
- Always welcome
Shower chairs
Adjustable legs, no rust.
2 chairs still needed
4 of 6
Not on the list, but it might still help. Send us a photo first.
Find the garage
Behind the office, step-free all the way
2418 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704- Parking
- Two accessible spaces right outside the garage door, and a van-accessible space with an 8 ft aisle.
- Transit
- Metro buses stop on Atwood a block east. Metro paratransit drivers know to use the Winnebago St door.
- Access
- Level entry, a 36-inch door with an automatic opener, and a gender-neutral accessible restroom inside.