[nabs] Seeking suggestions (again!!)

[linda green]

Thanks Laura-
At our library, on the website, we list the resources we have for our students w/ disabilities. The thing about it is - the software we have is the same that is found in the Disability Services area. Students are (supposed to be ) trained on it before they come to the library. We have a workstation that has Kurzweil, a large monitor, and trackball mouse (functions as a multi-accessible workstation). Granted the students are trained, but are staff may not be too familiar with the technology... 
 
Have you considered just setting up a time to sit with a library staff and ask them to go through the services? Or getting with the Disability services area and requesting a reader to assist you in the library? 
 
I appreciate your email and your time. All of this, for me, is good info - I want to make academic libraries more user friendly for students with disabilities (granted I am partial to my visually impaired peeps!!!) 
 
Thanks again! 
 
> From: orangebutterfly87 at gmail.com
> To: nabs at acb.org
> Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2010 10:23:58 -0600
> Subject: Re: [nabs] Seeking suggestions (again!!)
> 
> Linda,
> 
> The biggest issue I run in to in utilizing library resources is 
> the potential for having to spend hours and hours to find 
> particular information in a printed source. For someone who is 
> low vision, using a CCTV can be very tedious. Also, they may not 
> have one either that is portable or that is in the library which 
> would necessitate multiple trips for books if they don't find the 
> information in the first or second source they check out. For 
> someone who is totally blind or unable to read print, the idea of 
> using a reader is quite daunting. I'll admit that I haven't 
> checked, but never once have I heard of a college library that 
> has people available and willing and able to help read through 
> table of contents and indexes to help find particular pieces or 
> sections of information. Think about how long it takes most 
> people to research in a library-- sometimes hours. In the past 
> I've assumed, probably rightly so, that that kind of people-power 
> is just not available. Part of it is knowing if your reader has 
> research competency or not as well.
> 
> Also, when I've gone to the inevitable required "orientation to 
> the library" lecture during five or six different classes 
> throughout my college career, never do either the professor or 
> librarian even consider accessibility issues. I am often left 
> either trying to keep up with the class on my own laptop and 
> usually failing to because using an unfamiliar website with jaws 
> is much slower than clicky clicky like everyone else does. Or I 
> end up sitting in front of a computer without accessible software 
> listening to the lecture and feeling annoyed because I could be 
> better using that time trying to figure it out on my own.
> 
> Just some thoughts. I realize this sounds a little cynical, and 
> part of it is that I'm stubborn and have traditionally assumed 
> that the resources are not there to save myself the time, 
> trouble, and disappointment of finding out. So perhaps an equal 
> amount of this then needs to be figuring out ways to advertise 
> services for students with disabilities.
> 
> Laura
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "linda green" <ysgreen79 at hotmail.com>
> To: <nabs at acb.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 8:51 AM
> Subject: [nabs] Seeking suggestions (again!!)
> 
> 
> 
> Hey guys-
> I am a fellow student (graduated in March) and know the 
> challenges of accessing and utilizing the college library (I also 
> work in one).
> 
> I want to do a training with the staff on issues related to 
> accessing the library for students -
> 
> My question to you is-
> 
> Can you provide me some issues that you may have in accessing or 
> using your college library?
> 
> Do you use the library?
> 
> What would you like to see happen or change?
> 
> **FYI: The library has many resources that I think are great for 
> students with visual impairments. Just recently I found that some 
> databases have a 'Listen' button (once you open an article you 
> have searched for) and you can actually listen to the article. 
> Also, you can access ebooks (in which you can download to ipod, 
> mp3).
> 
> If you have any questions or need assistance in regards to 
> library services/resources, I'll be glad to help!!
> 
> Thanks in advance for your time!
> 
> Regards,
> Linda
> 
> 
> 
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