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Meriam
Library / Student Computing Services
July 2008
The following services and enabling technology are
available for students with disabilities.
Assistive Technology
Center
The Assistive Technology Center on the first floor is reserved for campus users with disabilities. Assistive technology in this area includes text-to-speech software, speech recognition software, scanners, , and more. The ATC is located next to the computer lab and is open during all regular and extended library hours. Users needing access to the ATC rooms or who require training or assistance with hardware and software should contact Disability Support Services.
Basement Access
Scheduled Use (e.g., classes,
employment)
Students, faculty or staff requiring access to the basement for courses or other scheduled purposes should be referred to DSS (Disability Support Services, x5959). DSS staff will verify the nature/extent of disabilities and issue elevator cards that may be retained until the end of the semester. DSS will use the same guidelines for the issuing and return of Meriam Library elevator cards that apply to other DSS issued building access cards.
Announcements will be posted and mailed to all faculty to inform them of the need to alert those with mobility impairments (faculty, staff, or students) that they must get elevator cards prior to attending classes and activities which are regularly scheduled in the basement.
Off-campus/other users requiring access to the basement for scheduled purposes will present a Library Nonaffiliated Users Card or current driver’s license or DMV identity card and a second form of identification at the Circulation & Reserve counter to check out an elevator card for one-time use. Off-campus users will also provide the Library with name, current mailing address and telephone number. Individuals without this identification or who choose not to provide personal information will not be eligible to check out an elevator card. Off-campus users are subject to the same loan period, fines and overdues that apply to reserve material.
Unscheduled Use
(e.g., drop-in, intermittent)
On campus students, faculty and staff present a current university ID card at Circulation & Reserve to check out a elevator card. The Library does not screen for the nature of the disability. The card is checked out for three (3) hours as a reserve item. Overdues and fines accrue as they do for any reserve item unless special arrangements are made at checkout for a longer loan period.
After-hours Restrictions
The basement of Meriam Library is not accessible when the library is closed. Those who need to enter or exit the basement after closing should contact University Police (x5555) for assistance. Red phones are available for this purpose next to the elevator in the basement and in the Library lobby.
Basement Access during Elevator
Malfunctions
In the event that the basement access elevator or the elevator card malfunctions, the elevator card holder notifies Circulation & Reserve that the elevator or card is not working. Building Management is contacted. If a Building Management Staff employee is in the building, they will escort the student down via the staff elevator to the hallway leading to the offices/classrooms. The student will need to advise the Building Management staff member of the time and location to be met to return them to the first floor. In the event a Building Management staff person is not available, the student will need to call University Police for assistance in exiting the building.
Building Access
The doors to the building are fully accessible. Elevators
reach all levels. All service points are accessible.
Emergency Evacuation
Emergency procedures for evacuating persons with disabilities
are attached as Appendix 1.
Lectures and Workshops
A list of scheduled lectures and workshops about how to use Library and information resources is available at the second floor Reference Desk. A list of student computing sessions is available in the first floor computer lab. Those requesting accommodation should contact the Library (x5267) or Student Computing (xHELP) at least 24 hours in advance and outline the accommodation request. The Library and Student Computing will arrange with Disability Support Services to provide the requested accommodation.
Library Reference
Area (second floor)
All computer stations in the Reference area have Windows
accessibility software installed. Workstation #208
is wheelchair accessible.
Paging of Library
Materials
Users who have identified desired Library materials but are unable to retrieve them from the stacks should request assistance at the Reference Desk on the second floor. The Reference Librarian will page a student assistant who will retrieve the materials for the user. When the Reference Desk is closed, users should request assistance at Circulation & Reserve on the first floor. Requests for the paging of large numbers of items may require the patron to return for pick up.
Photocopying
The Copy Service (Library/2nd floor) offers a copier on a lowered platform for wheelchair access. To accommodate other patrons with disabilities, the Copy Center will make copies. For large jobs the patron may leave the order (with specific directions on what to copy and a Campus ID/Wildcat card or other method of payment) and pick up the material later.
Research and Technical
Assistance
Neither the Library nor Student Computing can provide
extended one-on-one assistance. Those requiring an
assistant should contact Disability Support Services.
Contact People/Liaisons
Meriam Library:
Kathleen Purvis (x6727)
Student Computing:
Liz Connors (x5768)
Disability Support Services: Lauri Evans
(x5959)
Table 1
Adaptive Equipment in the
Library
The following table describes the adaptive technology
available in the Library. The table outlines the adaptation
and lists available locations.
| Item |
Use |
Location |
| Jaws |
Windows-based screen
reader |
Assistive Technology
Center - ATC (MLIB first floor) |
| Kurzweil (with scanner) |
Scans and reads documents |
ATC |
| Dragon Naturally Speaking |
Speech recognition software |
ATC |
| Screen magnification
software |
Software for enlarging
text |
ATC, 1st and 4th
floor computer labs, 2nd floor electronic reference
area. |
| Wheelchair height
computer tables |
Wheelchair access
to computers |
ATC, 1st and 4th
floor computer labs, 2nd floor electronic reference
area. |
Appendix
1
Library Emergency Evacuation
Procedures
In the event of a Library evacuation, the Library Evacuation Team conducts a sweep of the entire building advising all patrons that an evacuation is in progress. All patrons are advised to exit the building immediately utilizing the closest emergency exit/stairwell. In the event that a patron on an upper floor is unable to exit using the stairs, they are encouraged to go to one of the areas of evacuation and wait for emergency personnel to assist in their evacuation. However, if the elevators are operational, the patron can opt to utilize the elevator providing they do not have to wait for an elevator car to arrive at their floor. If the button is pushed, and no car is immediately available, they must be escorted to an area of evacuation. Someone from the library will remain with the patron in the area of evacuation until such time as emergency personnel arrive to assist them. |
