Library Champions for Disability

Carol RegulskiAccessible Formats Service

kafs@kcl.ac.uk

• 6 Libraries, plus Special Collections and Archives • Commitment to excellent customer care• Inclusive facilities• Consistency across service

Background

• Easy access to buildings • Accessible toilets• Induction loops • Deaf alerters

Physical access

• Accessible workspaces in libraries and student computing rooms

• Assistive software on all PCs

Equipment (1)

• Document holders and writing slopes• Lockers• Foot rests• Trolleys • Video magnifiers

Equipment (2)

• Dragon Naturally Speaking • JAWS• ZoomText• Book-edge scanner• Dedicated printer

Assistive technology rooms

Services

• Book collection service• Proxy access• One-week loan items automatically extended to two weeks• Free inter-library loans• Guide and web pages for library users with disabilities• Disability site contacts and dedicated email address

Accessible formats service

• Customers identified by Disability Advisory Service (DAS)• Focus on core/essential reading • Obtain electronic files of non-accessible reading from

publishers where possible• Convert files or scan print as necessary• Service tailored to needs of student

Training for Disabled Students• Most training provided by DAS– Assistive Software Workshops– Drop-in sessions– Study skills for those with a specific learning

difficulty• Accessible Formats & Screen-reading

Workshops (shared with DAS)

Library Staff Training• Occasional Training Hour sessions for all staff• Support for relevant CpD25 courses etc• AF team trained to create accessible formats• Online ITQ course in Accessible IT