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Disabled staff and students

We work with the University's Disability Advisor to ensure that everyone can make effective use of the Library. The University's Disability Policy document is available.

 

Accessing the Library

Riccarton Library
Wheelchair access to Riccarton Library is by lift.  Wheelchair users should ring the buzzer at the East Entrance to the Library, and a member of staff will give assistance to move through a restricted staff-only area to the public areas of the Library. Once in the Library there is wheelchair access to levels 2, 3 and 4 by lift without assistance. Access to Level 1 requires assistance from a member of library staff to move through a restricted staff-only area.

Wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities are available on Level 2.

Users with mobility or sight difficulties with a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) are requested to sign in and out at the Service Desk, so that appropriate assistance may be given in the event of an emergency evacuation of the building.
 

Equipment

Equipment is provided for the use of blind and partially sighted Library users.  Riccarton Library houses this equipment on behalf of the Disability Service in a room within the Group Study Room on Level 2. The equipment includes a text scanner, braille embosser, PCs with character enlargement and screen facilities for windows and a closed-circuit TV which allows enlargement of printed material on screen.  “Jaws” is a powerful state of the art screen-reading package which gives the user access to Windows products through clearly speaking the contents of the screen. “ZoomText” is a screen magnification package which will magnify the screen between x2 and x16. The package contains a variety of features to enhance and enlarge the screen to the user’s requirements.
 

Training in the use of this equipment is required before Library users can be given access to it; this training can be arranged through the Disability Adviser.
 

Tailored Services

There is a main contact person in each Library for students with special needs. These are

The University's Disability Advisor informs the Library of any specific requirements which students have. Students are also encouraged to contact Graeme or Peter at any time in order that tailored assistance to meet their individual needs can be provided. This might include, for example :

  • Phoning ahead to request books.  Library staff can retrieve them from the shelves and have them waiting for collection
  • Arranging priority allocation of a locker for storage
  • Variation in standard loan period for books
  • Telephone renewal of books
  • Individual introduction to the library services by the appropriate Subject Librarian.

Other sources of information