Accessible Services and Resources

General Information

The UWM Libraries are committed to providing access to materials and services to all members of the UWM community. In addition to the services available to all students, faculty and staff, the following additional library services are available to UWM students, faculty and staff with disabilities.

Room

The Distraction Free Room (WB48). The room contains a wall-mounted table that is not adjustable. Lighting can be controlled in the room. It is available on a walk-in basis or may be reserved by current UWM students, faculty or staff with disabilities for online or take-home test taking or silent study.  he room is located in the lower level, west wing.

Reserve WB48 Distraction Free Room in advance by calling 414-229-4673 or by using the reservation form.

Accessible Computers

All of the computers in the Learning Commons (1st floor, West Wing) have accessibility software.

Dell PCs: The following software is available:

  • Jaws– screen reading software
  • ZoomText– magnifying software (2-36x)
  • Microsoft suite of accessible software: Magnifier, Narrator (screen reading software), on-screen keyboard, etc. are available.  https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows
  • Read&Write– The program features text to speech, voice dictation, research aides, and highlighting tools. Click on start and choose “Read&Write” from the Accessibility and Internet panel. Current UWM Students, faculty and staff can download a free copy of Read&Write for home use.
  • Google Docs for Chrome – has a voice dictation program.

Macs: The following software is available:

  • Voiceover – screen reading software
  • Read&Write – The program features text to speech, voice dictation, research aides, and highlighting tools. Click on the “finder” icon in the shortcut Dock at the bottom of the screen. Click on “applications” under the favorites heading in the resulting window. Click on “Read&Write” folder in the A-Z applications. Current UWM Students, faculty and staff can download a free copy of Read&Write for home use.

Other Accessible Computers Available

There are 4 accessible computers in the Learning Commons (Mac and Dell) with flatbed scanners and the software above plus Kurzweil 3000.  Two are located in the South Commons by the windows facing Bolton Hall and two are in the North Commons by the windows facing the Library’s east wing. Each computer is on an automated height adjustable tables(push button raising and lowering).  Contact the computer help desk at the end of the circulation counter for assistance in accessing these computers if they are in use.

Adaptive Technology – Loanable

  • Library Laptops – Laptop Accessibility
  • Noise Reduction Earmuffs – Noise reduction earmuffs are available for checkout at Equipment and Reserve Services, lower level, west wing for 7 days.
  • Calculators – Calculators (Scientific, Graphing and Financial) are available for checkout at Equipment and Reserve Services, lower level, west wing for 7 days.
  • Computer Mice – Logitech USB computer mice are available for checkout at Equipment and Reserve Services, lower level, west wing for 7 days.
  • Audio Recorders – Zoom H2 Audio recorders are available for checkout at Equipment and Reserve Services, lower level, west wing for 7 days.

Collections

Videos and Audiobooks

  • Videos – Equipment and Reserve Services has over 10,000 VHS videos and DVDs available with closed-captioning; English subtitles for the hearing impaired (SDH) or English subtitles. There are also some videos that are in American Sign Language (ASL) as well. A listing of captioned videos is available near the Equipment and Reserve Service’s.   Equipment is available to view captioned videos and DVDs for individuals or groups up to 20.  Contact Equipment and Reserve Services, lower level, west wing, for more information.
  • Streaming Videos – The Library subscribes to the several streaming video collections that may offer captioned videos.  See the streaming information page at https://uwm.edu/libraries/media/streaming/
  • Described Videos – Descriptive videos provide descriptive narration of key visual elements, making television programs, feature films, and other visual media accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. Key visual elements such as actions, costumes, gestures, facial expressions and scene changes are inserted within the natural pauses in dialogue. For more information consult the Audio Description/Audio Described Videos handout.  Described videos are available from:
  • Audiobooks – Equipment and Reserve Services has over 350 audiobooks on CD available available for 2 week checkout.

Large Print Books

There are some large print books in the Libraries’ collection.  Consult the Search@UW online catalog using the search term “large type books” to locate them. This same search term can be used to locate books from other Libraries.  Use the Search@UW online catalog  and choose the search parameter of Books and Media: UW-System or go to WorldCat to search and request items through Interlibrary Loan.

Databases

The library’s databases present articles and abstracts in two different formats: PDF or HTML. HTML articles may be read by “read aloud” software very easily. PDFs can present some issues. PDF accessibility depends on how the articles were scanned. In some cases, security features (to prevent the document from being altered) may interfere with a PDFs accessibility. The software Read&Write can convert inaccessible PDFs for screen readers. Current UWM students, faculty and staff can download a free copy of Read&Write for home use.

Some database vendors like Ebsco and Gale also have a built in read aloud or listen option for their Full Text HTML articles.

eBooks

eBooks are available from the Library.  Use the Search@UW online catalog and the search term “ebooks” to search for them.  Some are available for online reading and/or limited term download.  Most ebook vendors follow accessibility guidelines.

Retrieving and Renewing Materials

Retrieving Library Materials

Materials in the Library can be requested to be pulled and available for pick up at the circulation desk. Requests are made through the Search@UW online catalog.

Renewing Library Materials

Materials can be renewed through Search@UW online catalog by clicking on the “My Account” link at the top of the screen and logging in with your Panther login.

Facilities

  • Automatic Doors to entrances and corridors are available on all floors.
  • Cutout Study Tables are available in Equipment and Reserve Services, Lower Level, West Wing; and 2nd Floor, East Wing.
  • Automated Height Adjustable Tables (push button raising and lowering) are available in the South Commons by the windows facing Bolton Hall and in the North Commons by the windows facing the Library’s east wing.
  • Drinking Fountains are located on all floors.
  • Elevators – the main elevator to all floors, has accessible signs and controls as well as floor announcements. The small elevator has accessible signs and controls.
  • Computer terminals with lower height access are available on the first floor
  • Restrooms with automatic door access are located on the 1st Floor, East Wing and restrooms with automatic door access, wide stalls and Braille signage are available in the Lower Level, West Wing; 2nd Floor, East and West Wings and 4th Floor.
  • Service Animals – Service animals must stay in physical proximity with their handler and be under handler control at all times. Service animals may not be left unattended at any time.
  • Shopping Carts – Small shopping carts are available on the 3rd floor, west wing and the 2nd floor, west wing.

Reference and Research Assistance

Research assistance is provided by the Ask a Librarian desk located on the first floor, west wing.  Research help is also available by telephone, email, IM, Text, or live chat.  For more information consult the Ask a Librarian website.

If your research requires very specialized and/or lengthy consultation, you may wish to make an appointment with a reference librarian for a research consultation through the online form or by calling the Ask a Librarian Desk at 414-229-4659 to set up an appointment.

Library Instruction

When completing the Course Integrated Instruction request form, please identify any accommodation requests (wheelchair access, visual or auditory needs, etc.) necessary to better serve your class in the “Special Accommodations” section of the form.

Library instruction classrooms: Classroom (B) – W190 and Classroom (A) – W194 have the following accessibility software available:

  • Jaws– screen reading software
  • ZoomText– magnifying software (2-36x)
  • Microsoft suite of accessible software: Magnifier, Narrator (screen reading software), on-screen keyboard, etc. are available.  https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows
  • Read&Write – The program features text to speech, voice dictation, research aides, and highlighting tools. Click on start and choose “Read&Write” from the Accessibility and Internet panel. Current UWM Students, faculty and staff can download a free copy of Read&Write for home use.
  • Google Docs for Chrome – has a voice dictation program.

Lectures and Workshops

A list of scheduled lectures and workshops is available on the Libraries’ website. Those requesting accommodations should contact the Library at 414-229-6202 at least 5 business days in advance and outline the accommodation(s) needed.

Campus Resource for Students

Accessibility Resource Center (ARC)  – provides UWM students with academic accommodations. Students needing other specialized assistance should contact them in (Mitchell 112) for appropriate assistance (V/TTY (414) 229-6287).

Library Contact Information

If you encounter problems when using the Libraries’ online catalog or other databases due to incompatibility with assistive technology, please report your experience to the Libraries’ ADA liaison Beth Traylor at bethe@uwm.edu.

This information can be made available in alternative formats upon request to the UWM Libraries Administrative Office.