Library Access for Users with Disabilities

Fogler Library's policy is to make its services and collections accessible to all users.  Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the University's Services for Students with Disabilities unit. (207/581-2319) for information on special services available to them.

Building access
Patrons who use a wheelchair or prefer not to use stairs should enter Fogler Library on its east side across from the Memorial Union. Automatic doors in the lobby are switch-activated. 

All levels of Fogler Library are accessible by elevator. Users requiring special assistance should check with the staff at the Circulation Desk on level 1.

Information for users of Fogler licensed databases, ejournals, and ebooks
Many of our licensed databases, ejournals, and ebooks offer users the option of viewing full text in HTML or PDF format. 

HTML format is a text-only web page which can be read using any screen reader or universal access technology.

PDF format is also accessible to all users who have Adobe Reader version 6.0 (This is a free download. See http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html for more information). 

There are 2 options for reading a PDF:

1. Open the PDF in Adobe Reader 6.0 and go to File > Save as text. This option allows you to save a text only version of the file. Once you have the text only version, you can alter the text size, text color and format. You can also use a screen reader to read the file.
2. Open the PDF file in Adobe 6.0 and go to View > Read out loud. Adobe Reader will act as a screen reader and read the file out loud. Options include reading a single page or the entire document. You can also pause or stop at any point.

Tips for Mac users
Mac users may experience difficulty opening PDFs automatically. The PDF file appears in .asp format and the user receives an error message saying that the file can not be opened.  One solution is to download as .asp, open Acrobat Reader, do a file open and navigate to the document or to rename the .asp file to .pdf. 

There is a shorter, easier alternative:

1. Download a pdf onto the desktop.
2. Select it by clicking on the downloaded file once.
3. Then go to File > Get Info.
4. Under Open With select Preview (default) or Acrobat Reader. 
5. Click on Change All so that it will always open with Preview or 
   Acrobat. Now, documents will open automatically without having to go through all the
   steps each time.
   

Dedicated workstation
Fogler Library has a dedicated workstation for use by students and others with visual disabilities. It is located on the first floor of the library, near the reference desk. It has an Internet connection, and Microsoft and FirstClass software. Users may bring their own headphones, or check out a pair from the Media Resource Center on the second floor. The workstation has four specialized software packages:

1) Kurzweil 3000 "reads scanned or electronic text aloud using human sounding synthetic speech. Words are highlighted in contrast as they are spoken. This patented auditory and visual presentation of information helps increase reading accuracy, speed and comprehension for struggling readers."

For more information and online demos of Kurzweil products, see the Lernout & Hauspie web site.

2) ZoomText Xtra 7.0, from Ai Squared combines a screen magnifier with a screen reader, for the low-vision computer user who needs to access web pages, word processing documents, etc., by enlarging them, hearing them read aloud, or both.

3) Connect Outloud is an application that provides speech and Braille output for blind or visually impaired users of specific applications.  This includes Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater, Microsoft Windows Explorer, and the Microsoft Windows desktop.  For more information, see the Freedom Scientific Web site.

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