Library Services to Students with Disabilities

Introduction

The Library of the University of Melbourne aims to provide the assistance necessary to ensure that students with either a temporary or permanent disability have equitable access to library resources. All students with disabilities requiring special services MUST be registered with the Disability Liaison Unit of the University.

New students who feel they may experience some difficulty in using the library's facilities are strongly advised to contact the relevant staff member responsible for services to disabled students as early in the year as possible. Orientation tours and consultations can be arranged so that the individual needs of the students are catered to.

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Assistive Software

• Talking Computer- JAWS for Windows
• Voice Recognition- Dragon Dictate
• Visual Learning- Inspiration
• Screen Magnification- Magic
• Speech, spellchecker, voice etc.- Texthelp Read&Write
• Scanning, OCR, pdf conversion, voice and many more- WYNN

Assistive Technology Rooms

Assistive Technology Rooms are designed to assist student with disabilities in literature searching, writing up assignments and completing associated tasks that cannot be performed at a standard computer available in the library.
In addition to above software these rooms also have special equipment.

Baillieu Library - Ground Floor

Ground Floor to the Baillieu Library is currently inaccessible due to building work and services offered on this floor are now relocated in the ERC Library Room 410 on level 4. Entry via lift or stairs from level 1 or levl 3. Wheelchair access is via ramps to level 1 on Grattan Street side or ERC Plaza level (level 3) via ramp outside Asia Centre.

ERC Library now offers the following services and facilities in Room 410 on level 4.

• Two workstations- PCs with assistive software and scanner.
• Workstation- PC assitive software and special software for Braille users, scanner, Braille reader, Braille embosser etc.
• Workstation with Standard computer (no assistive software)
• Ergonomic furniture- Orthotilt desktop, standing frame, kneeling chair, height adjusable tables, ergonomic chairs and power points for a personal laptop computer. CCTV, heaters and fans.

Baillieu Library First Floor - Percy Baxter Collaborative Learning Centre

• Assistive Technology Room 101. The key to this room is now held at the Service Desk on the Third floor.
• Assistive Technology Room 102 is currently being upgraded as an assistive technology room and will soon be available for students' use.

Baillieu Library - Second Floor

• Room 304 - PC with assistive software, printer and Halogen lamp, slantboard and walker. The key to this room is now held at the Service Desk on the Third floor.
  
• Room 305 - PC with assistive software, printer and scanner. The key to this room is now held at the Service Desk on the Third floor.

Fans and heaters are available in these rooms on request.

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Study Rooms

Baillieu - Second Floor

• Rooms 306, 307, 308 and 309 are currently available to DLU approved students under special circumstances.

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Reference Service and Consultations

Staff at the Information Desks will provide assistance to users requiring general help with locating materials and research. Students with special needs should contact the relevant library staff member to make an appointment for special consultations. Any student wanting to know more about assistive technology software and/or rooms with special facilities please ring ext. 40058 or send an email for an apppointment.

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Staff Contacts

Discussion of Specific Library Needs

The library encourages students with disabilities who are likely to require assistance, to contact the library as soon as possible in the academic year. 
Students requiring any equipment or services which are not already provided should discuss their special needs with the staff concerned, as it may be possible to make special arrangements. 
If you require more information about other services and facilities provided by the University of Melbourne, contact the Disability Liaison Office on  8344 7068 or TTY 8344 6626.  Students can find out further information about Library services by calling in at the library information desk or telephoning the appropriate staff contact listed below:
 

Staff Contacts

Staff Contacts

Disability Liaison Librarian (based in the ERC library)

Jacintha Silva 8344 0058

Library Inquiries 8344 0444

silva@unimelb.edu.au

Baillieu and all branch libraries: Please contact the Service Desks

Or telephone

Library Inquiries 8344 0444

Legal Resources Centre (Law Library)

Kirsten Bakker 8344 6174

Service Desk 8344 6177

k.bakker@unimelb.edu.au

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Photocopying and Book Collection

Students who are mobility impaired can request assistance from staff at Information Desk in retrieving a few items from shelves. However, those wanting a list of books gathered will need to discuss the options available by contacting the liaison librarian.

At the initial interview your requirements such as alternative format material and long term loans will be discussed and settled. Undergraduate students wanting long term loans of recommended items on Reserve, qualify for inter-library loans of such items from outside libraries. The university library and the DLU is working together to provide access to study materials for students with disabilities.

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Building Access and other facilities

Most University of Melbourne libraries have access for people using wheelchairs. Students will require staff assistance to move between floors in the Giblin Economics Library. Campus map showing library locations, see also Melway map 471. The Parkville veterinary library is a part of the Veterinary Precinct at the corner of Park Drive and Flemington Road and access is now possible via the ramp from the rear car park adjacent to the University High School. Melway Reference 2A K6.

Getting to the ERC Library

Access to the ERC can be made via the ramp from the Sidney Myer Asia Centre Building 158 Cnr Swanston Street and Monash Road or via Gate 6 on Swanston Street.

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Getting to the Giblin Economics and Commerce Library.

The Giblin Economics and Commerce Library collection is located on the third floor of the Economics and Commerce Building.

Baillieu as well as Economics Library collections are accessible only via the ground floor lifts of the Economics and Commerce building during the Baillieu Library renovations period.

There is a connecting ramp between the two libraries on the third floor of the Baillieu Library.

The Economics and Commerce Library has a lower floor (Second Floor) that is accessible via a lift from within this library or via stairs. If you wish to use the lift, a key is available from the Service Desk and staff can accompany students down to this floor if required.

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Some Useful Web Sites

Disability Services Division of the Department of Human Services, State Government of Victoria

Disability Support and Services in Australia

Copying material for disabled

Vision Australia Foundation

ADCET Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and training

The Benetech Initiative is a non-profit:Home site for the company responsible for the scanning software in the Talking Computer Room.

Scope (Vic) is a non-profit organisation providing statewide services to over 3,500 children and adults with physical and multiple disabilities

Library of Congress: National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.  NLS administers a free library program of braille and recorded materials circulated to eligible borrowers through a network of cooperating libraries in the United States.  The site includes a link to their catalogue of resources in Braille and audio.  It also includes informtion on copyright, web access and assistive technology.

American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.  The aim of the American Printing House for the Blind is to promote the independence of blind and visually impaired persons by providing special media, tools, and materials needed for education and life. Includes a link to Louis, their catalogue of accessible resources.

Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic Located in the United States, this is a non profit organisation providing a catalogue of material and equipment designed to support the education and professional goals of people with print disabilities. Loans only available to those registered with the organisation.