Accommodations and Services
The Library has a variety of adaptive technology available to students, faculty, or staff requiring adaptive assistance. Whether you have visual, learning, or physical disabilities that prohibit you from accessing a computer or course materials, the Library has something for you.
Persons with Visual Impairments
A wide array of services and equipment is available if you have visual impairments. Those with residual vision have access to print magnifiers. Large-print materials can be produced with a photocopying machine or a word processor. Screen magnification software is available on computers, as well as 19- to 21-inch monitors.
If you do not have usable vision, you can access Braille and tactile graphics production. Braille embossers may be used in conjunction with Braille translation software. Screen reading software is installed on computers to access on-screen information through the use of an array of voice synthesizers. Scanners with optical recognition software are available to access print information via speech.
Persons with Learning Disabilities
Several of the technologies available for persons with vision and mobility impairments are also of benefit to those with learning disabilities. For instance, scanning text into an electronic format, then having a voice synthesizer verbalize the information can increase cognition and retention. Altering the screen colors and having the text highlighted as it is spoken assists with the reading process as well. And, the Optelec Viewer isused by some persons with visual processing disorders, to alter the color scheme of print materials.
Tactile graphics can also enhance the understanding of graphical information. Spell checking and grammar checking are now embedded in commercial word processors to assist with the writing process. Word prediction and completion software can be used to prompt those with learning disabilities and reduce typing and spelling errors. Organizational (Inspiration) software is available to assist in the process of writing outlines and structuring thoughts into logical frameworks.
Persons who are Deaf and/or Hard of Hearing
The Windows operating system is now equipped to provide visual cues to audio output of the internal media card. This will alert you to sounds used as warnings and error messages.
Texthelp Read & Write Gold is a many featured application to help with dyslexia and other reading and writing impairments. It includes text to speech, spell checking, image label reading and file conversion. It is located on the accessible workstation located on the main level of the library.
Kurzweil 3000 is a comprehensive suite of supports for reading, writing, study skills, and test taking. It includes features such as text-to-speech, translation, highlighters, sticky notes, word prediction, study guides, writing templates, and spell checker. It is located on the accessible workstation on the main level of the library.
Kurzweil 3000 Users Guide for Windows 10 (PDF)
Kurzweil 3000 Quick Reference Guide (PDF)
NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free “screen reader” which enables blind and vision impaired people to use computers. It reads the text on the screen in a computerised voice. You can control what is read to you by moving the cursor to the relevant area of text with a mouse or the arrows on your keyboard. It is available on all public computers in the library.
The Optelec Viewer allows for the display, magnification, and creation of contrast in print documents. The Optelec Viewer is located on the lower level of the library.
Scanners available on the main level of the library can create searchable PDF documents that can be read by text-to-speech software such as Kurzweil 3000.
Headphones/Microphones are available for use in the library and may be checked out from the Customer Services desk on the main level of the library.
The Romeo 25 Braille embosser is available on request. Please contact Danielle Whren Johnson at dwhren@loyola.edu, dwhren@ndm.edu or 410-617-6872 to use the Braille embosser.