montage of library photos
home >> disability services

Disability Services

Also see our Disabilities Services FAQ

The University of Georgia Libraries seek to provide all patrons with equal access to library resources. To realize this goal, we offer patrons with disabilities the following services at both the Main and Science Libraries:

Building Accessibility:

  • Main entrance access ramps
  • Button-activated electric doors
  • Elevators with print and Braille control panel
  • Wheelchair-accessible bathrooms on the entry floors of both Main and Science. In addition the Main library has accessible bathrooms in the basement and on the 4th floor. All the restrooms in the Miller Learning Center are wheelchair-accessible.

Staff Assistance in the Library:

(Advance notice of your visit will speed up assistance and help library staff coordinate work between Departments. Please call the Main Library at 706 542-3256, the Science Library at 706 542-4535 or the Miller Learning Center at 706 542-4673.)

  • Individual library orientation tours
  • Book/journal retrieval
  • Photocopy assistance
  • Reference desk assistance

Telephone and Electronic Assistance:

  • Checkout renewals (Main - 706 542-3256;  Science - 706 542-4535)
  • Main Reference Telephone Assistance 706 542-3251
    Science Reference Telephone Assistance 706 542-0698
    MLC Reference Telephone Assistance 706 542-7000
  • Email Reference Service

Transportation Services:

  • Campus buses
  • Van service for disabled students (706 369-6220)

Adaptive Equipment and Software:

Main Library

There are 2 ADA Workstations in the Reference Room on the first floor of the Main Library. The machines are open to any user with a disability, and are equipped with the following software:

  • JAWS for Windows is a powerful accessibility solution that reads information on your screen using synthesized speech. JAWS provides many useful commands that make it easier to use programs, edit documents, and read Web pages. It also allows you to use Remote Desktop to log in and control a desktop remotely and has added new features to use iTunes and purchase music through it. With a refreshable Braille display, JAWS can also provide Braille output in addition to, or instead of, speech. An array of versatile features and customizable options lets you tailor JAWS for your individual needs and preferences.
  • MAGic combines great magnification features with true low vision screen reading when purchased with the speech option. It gives you the ability to choose the information you want read from the screen as you navigate your applications. MAGic is easy to use with its talking large print installation, color-coded user interface, and hot keys that avoid conflicts with Windows® and popular software applications.
  • Kurzweil 3000 LearnStation: Kurzweil 3000 is the comprehensive reading, writing and learning software solution for any struggling reader, including individuals with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, attention deficit disorder or those who are English Language Learners. Kurzweil 3000 LearnStation allows users to open previously scanned documents as well as other electronic documents. Kurzweil 3000 LearnStation provides the same powerful reading, writing and learning tools as the Kurzweil 3000 Professional product.
  • ReadPlease 2003 is a text-to-speech application designed to give your computer a human-sounding voice so it can read arbitrary text to you, from Web pages, e-mail, or the Clipboard. Through file-type association, the program can read any text file or Rich Text Format file directly from the Internet.
  • Dragon Naturally Speaking is a no-hands-required voice-recognition program that types as you speak. It is a great tool for students with limited manual dexterity, specifically those who are unable to use a standard keyboard. It is also useful for those with reading and writing difficulties and for students with visual impairments, since Dragon also contains a playback feature that reads back the text that's been written on the screen.
In addition, there are a number of the regular student-use computers in the Reference Room with wide-screen monitors. All of these are equipped with Jaws and MAGic. The library instruction lab (sometimes referred to as "Lab A") also has Jaws and MAGic installed on its 30 computers.

Adaptive equipment:

(Request help at the Circulation desks in the Main and Science libraries and at the Reference Desk on the 3rd floor of the Miller Learning Center)

  • Zoomtext for Windows
  • Chroma CCD enlarger
  • Reading Edge audio reader (Main and Science only)
  • JAWS for Windows (Main and Science only)
  • 19 inch monitors at designated terminals
  • Scansoft Naturally Speaking 6 (Science library only)
  • Kurzweil 3000 (Science Library and Miller Learning Center only)
  • Epson-GT-1999+ scanner (Miller Learning Center only)
  • Optical track ball
  • Digital 3D joystick

Other useful telephone numbers:

Please feel free to ask for assistance at any service point in the library. Your suggestions for improved services are always appreciated.

Library Disability Policy Statement

University of Georgia