> it is more about accessing assistive software and quiet study rooms
I guess you're mainly thinking of screenreaders in this context - is your IT network making the most of free and open source tools - eg NVDA as a screenreader (very similar keystrokes to JAWS as far as I know)?
There's a reasonable range of assistive technologies that could be available on all workstations and then supplemented by commercial tools where most appropriate - for example in particular rooms if that's a strategy you adopt. There's a lot to be said for a mixed economy of free tools to provide a base level of support (and indeed awareness) and then commercial tools to provide targeted value added for specific needs and specific users. In addition to NVDA other assistive technologies for other needs include things like text to speech (Balabolka/DSpeech/Orato), screen navigation (VuBar, Sprot), colour/contrast tools (ssOverlay, RapidSet) etc. You might be familiar with EduApps and MyStudyBar - bundles of free and portable tools packaged by Regional Support Centre NE Scotland but now available from http://EduApps.org. It's possible to provide effective base level support using these free tools (and - where appropriate free high quality voices from JISC TechDis (England), CALL (Scotland) or RNIB (Wales)). That helps you focus budgets more strategically for learners with more complex needs but also opens up a wider range of individual learners to the world of enabling technologies and the range of excellent tools available commercially if they want to explore beyond the basics.
Alistair
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ros Holmes
Sent: 06 February 2013 10:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Library accessibility provision for Alumni and SCONUL users
Hi,
Does anyone have a policy/guidelines around access to library accessibility facilities for Alumni and/or SCONUL users?
We have a post-grad student who is studying elsewhere and would like to use the Library facilities here at Warwick (near her home). She is registered blind. She is also an Alumnus of this university. She does not want to access online materials, as this can be done via her own university log on - it is more about accessing assistive software and quiet study rooms that are specifically intended for students with disabilities.
We are trying to get our head around what we need to do - legally / morally and to create a general approach for all Alumni / SCONUL users with disabilities/learning differences. (balanced against provision for Warwick students)
Do you have any operational tips?
Many thanks
Ros Holmes
Library Disability Support Officer
University of Warwick
This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient please accept our apologies. Please do not disclose, copy, or distribute information in this email nor take any action in reliance on its contents: to do so is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Please inform us that this message has gone astray before deleting it. Please note that views expressed in this email are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Higher Education Academy. Please note that this e-mail has been created in the knowledge that Internet e-mail is not a secure communications medium. We advise that you understand and observe this lack of security when e-mailing us. Although we have taken steps to ensure this e-mail and attachments are free from any virus, we advise that in keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free. The Higher Education Academy Registered No 4930131
|