Guides & Services

Accessibility Resources

InterLibrary Loan/ Document Delivery

Library Liaison Programs

Library Resource Guides

Off-Campus Library Services

Services for Users with Disabilities

Prepared by
Pamela Hayes-Bohanan, Reference Librarian
Pam Spillane, Learning Disability Specialist

Accessible parking

There are four accessible parking spots next to the main (Shaw Road) entrance of the library. Handicapped parking permits are required.

Elevators

The two elevators in the Maxwell library stop on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors. The ground floor is accessible by elevator only to those who have a security-approved BSC Connect card. Members of the College community who need access to the ground floor can contact the Connect card office in Hunt Hall. Those who are not members of the College community, and cannot use the stairs to go to the ground floor can ask at the Circulation desk to access to ground floor via the elevator.

Retrieval of materials (books, videos, journal articles)

Individuals in need of assistance retrieving materials may ask a staff member for help who will accompany the individual while retrieving information.

Reference Services

Patrons who need physical help using the computers in the network area to do research may ask at the reference desk for assistance using the databases. If you need help with in-depth research please contact the reference desk in advance so that we can be assured that there will be a reference librarian available to help you.

Assistive technology

• One designated wheel chair accessible computer station near the reference desk; all others except three stand up Express Stations are also wheel chair accessible
• Visualtek reading machine - first floor

Academic Achievement Center

The Academic Achievement Center (AAC), housed on the ground floor of the library, has the following adaptive technology

• Braille keyboard
• Dragon 8.1 for voice dictation
• Duxbury Braille Translator
• Inspiration 8 - graphic organization software
• Jaws 7.0 for the visually impaired
• Kurzweil 3000
• TextAloud
• Zoomtext 9.0

Because the computers are internet-connected library work may be done in the AAC. Contact the Academic Achievement Center (x1214) for further assistance and hours.
The Moakley Center also has some computers with adaptive technology. Contact the Center (x1723) for further information.

Off-campus access to databases

Members of the Bridgewater State College Community who have activated their BSC user account can access the Webster catalog and many databases from any internet connected computer through the Maxwell library homepage. Many databases have full-text access to journal articles. Members of the greater community can access Webster the library's online catalog.

Resources for College and University Students with Disabilities

Association on Higher Education and Disabilities
http://www.ahead.org

Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities
http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/disabled.phtml

Heath Resources Center National Clearinghouse on Post-secondary Education for Individuals with Disabilities
http://www.heath.gwu.edu/

Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger's Association of New England
http://www.AANE.org

Attention Deficit Disorder

National Organization for children and adults with ADD
http://www.chadd.org

Resources for Blind and visually impaired

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
http://www.worcpublib.org/talkingbook/Resource%20Directory.htm

National Library Service to the blind and physically handicapped
http://www.loc.gov/nls/

Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
http://www.rfbd.org

American Council for the Blind (ACB), information about ACB services, resources and Jobs Bank
http://www.acb.org

National Foundation for the blind (NFB), information about NFB services, resources and job opportunities
http://www.nfb.org

Massachusetts Commission for the blind
http://www.state.ma.us/mcb

Resources for the Hearing Impaired

Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.state.ma.us/mcdhh/

Study Skills

Study skill to help students with learning disabilities
http://studyweb.chemeketa.edu

Study guides and strategies
http://iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides

General

DO-IT: Disabilities Opportunities Internetworking and Technology
http://www.washington.edu/doit

National Center for Youth with Disabilities
http://www.nichcy.org

National Council of Independent Living Programs
http://www.ncd.gov

National Rehabilitation Resource Center
http://www.naric.com

Last Modified: November 3, 2009