Policy statement for users with disabilities

Library Services welcomes students, staff and visitors with disabilities and Specific Learning Difficulties, such as dyslexia and dyspraxia. We aim to promote a positive attitude towards people with disabilities, and we seek to constantly improve our disability provision, and to meet new legislative requirements. 

Support services

Library Services offers a wide range of services to provide assistance to users with disabilities:

  • If users have difficulties using the library catalogue, staff will be happy to help look up the details of any material needed. 
  • Library Services will offer a book fetching service through its Library Customer Support team. Users with disabilities who have difficulties with finding or fetching books from the shelves can telephone Library Customer Support for assistance. If the item is in the Main Library, staff will fetch items from the shelves and bring them to the Lending Desk on the ground floor for collection. Similar services will be made available in other locations. 
  • In certain circumstances Library Services will extend loan periods for items borrowed from its libraries. 
  • Where physical access or access to materials, audio visual equipment or assistive technology is difficult, Library Customer Support will make arrangements for materials to be sent to another site where access is more convenient. 
  • If users with disabilities need any special facilities or assistance when carrying out photocopying, staff will provide appropriate support. If users of Library Services facilities who have disabilities find it difficult to carry out self-service photocopying, staff will carry out the copying on their behalf at the self-service cost. 

Accessibility

Library Services aims to make all services accessible (as far as is reasonable) to users with disabilities: 

  • We will make as many parts of our libraries, resource and learning centres as accessible as possible by wheelchair, either directly or by using the various lifts. 
  • In areas where there are difficulties, staff will assist in any way they can. 
  • Staff working on service points can be expected to be aware of the problems faced by people with disabilities, and to assist wherever and whenever possible. 
  • As appropriate, Library Services will attempt to make adjustments to facilities to enhance access and use. For example, there are height-adjustable desks on the ground, first, second and third floors of the Main Library, and the Main Library is also equipped with a suite of assistive technology booths. 
  • If staff or visitors wishing to use facilities contact Library Services or if students, staff or visitors notify us of any problems they anticipate or actually encounter, we will do everything reasonably possible to provide the most appropriate assistance in the circumstances. 

Additional support

Library Services do not expect students to have to disclose their disability to our staff in order to arrange enhanced services. Instead services for students with disabilities, dyslexia or dyspraxia are arranged through the University Disability Coordinator or Learning Support Coordinator (dyslexia or dyspraxia). Students are advised to contact one of them as soon as possible after arriving at the University, to discuss provision of these services, which the coordinators will then arrange with us. 

Digitisation Service

  • The Digitisation Service will obtain alternative format versions of content held by the Library on behalf of students or staff members with a Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP), or similar, in place. 
  • Library Services works with content providers to ensure that any electronic content is as accessible as possible, and will source alternative format content should existing electronic resources be inaccessible.
  • The Digitisation Service will use module information and Resource Lists to identify the texts needed by students.  We will confirm the module details with the student and then work through the Resource Lists prioritising those items marked as 'Essential' and 'Recommended'. Research students may need to contact the Service with details of their reading needs as they arise.
  • The Digitisation Service teams aims to process or query these requests within 5 working days of receipt. However, this will be impacted during busy periods such as the start of term. 
  • All files provided by the Digitisation Service will be quality checked in line with the requirements outlined by the RAP. We will ensure any materials provided undergo a thorough text recognition function so that text is readable by assistive technologies.  This may also include marking any titles/section headings and similar navigational aids, where we are able to. We will always work with a user to try to ensure that what is provided meets their needs as far as is reasonably possible.

 

Colleges

Professional Services