Assistive Technology Service

Access

Location: Ground Floor of the Library

The main entrance of the Library can be accessed via a lift which is located on the concourse of the Arts/Science Building. When inside the Library building, students have lift-access to all floors.

Students with a physical disability or mobility difficulties can also obtain access to the Library from the basement level.  Access will be authorised when you register with the Disability Support Service.

Wheelchair accessible toilets are available on the ground floor and on the first floor of the Library.

A hearing loop system is installed at the Library & IT Desk.

Facilities

General study spaces are available in a large open-access area with computers and height-adjustable study desks. Specialist assistive technology equipment including CCTV machines to magnify the pages of books and other documents, a Zeta Book Scanner and a low-level photocopier, are all located in this area.

Sound-proof booths

There are three sound-proof booths, each of which is equipped with a computer, and a height-adjustable desk. The booths will accommodate 1 person or 1 person and their personal assistant (so that users are able to work with the help of a personal assistant.) Students may reserve booths in advance by using the online system. A maximum stay of two hours per study session applies, and students requiring specific software applications have priority. The booths are also used for exams.

Reserve your booth here. 

Equipment

The following equipment is provided: zeta book scanner, wrist rests, adjustable footrests, magnifiers, and daylight desk lamps. Students also have the option of using a tracker-ball or joystick as an alternative to a mouse and a keyboard with enlarged lettering.

The Disability Support Service issues other equipment to students as necessary. For example:

• MindGenius **
• Read&Write **
• Olympus DM770 Digital Voice Recorder
• Audio Notetaker
• Glean
• Echo Smartpen
• C Pen Reader Pen
• Grammarly

** Software available to all registered Student and Staff

Services

The Assistive Technology Officers provide a range of support for users:

• Training and ongoing support in the use of assistive technology applications. A training schedule for new students is put in place at the beginning of the academic year, and one-to-one training is provided on request.
• The Library offers extended loan periods and additional borrowing to undergraduate students registered with the Disability Support Service.  (7 books for 14 days).  No extension applies to 1 or 3 day loan books.
• Texts in alternative formats: electronic text, audio, braille, enlarged text.  Students requiring text in accessible formats must read and sign the NUIG Alternative Format Process and the NUIG Copyright Disclaimer Form.  It is important to discuss and agree the format and standard of editing necessary as early as possible.  The current NUIG process is outlined in Textbook Conversion to Accessible Formats. Accessible format text editors use the Ahead Guidelines for editing scanned text.
•  All print-disabled students registered with Disability Support Services can also avail of RNIB Bookshare which has access to over 560,913 titles in accessible format.

Accessible format resources

• All print-disabled students requiring material in alternative formats are recommended to register with NCBI Bookshare.  Bookshare Ireland has the largest accessible digital Library in the country and is currently funded by the Department of Education and Skills Register here.
• Blackboard Ally, allows students to download Blackboard files in alternative formats (such as audio, tagged PDFs, or HTML), to support their learning needs. Almost 15,000 alternative formats were downloaded between March and May 2020. As part of Covid-19 supports Blackboard ally are supplying File transformer to convert your course files into alternative format.
• SensusAcces is a document conversion tool that allows all staff and students to convert your readings and research into formats that you may find easier to work with, whether a Word file, e-book format, or MP3 file that you can listen to. 

Academic and Support Staff - Resources for Creating Accessible Information

Student information resources should be clear, comprehensive, timely and presented within an accessible format. Inclusive information involves clarity of both Format and Content.

Please consult the following list of resources for creating accessible material:

• Blackboard Ally is a powerful tool for Blackboard instructors, offering instant feedback about the accessibility of documents that you upload to Blackboard, and practical advice on how to improve your accessibility scores.
• Learning Path – Accessibility Fundamentals is a free Microsoft Course to cover Accessibility and Inclusion.  The learning path provides an overview of the important accessibility concepts and how to create accessible content using Microsoft 365 and how to use accessibility features and tools within Microsoft Office.
• The Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD) offers a Digital Accessibility Webinar Series.  
• NUI Galway guidelines on the Preparation of Accessible Learning Materials
• Trinity College Dublin (TCD) guidelines on Accessible Learning Resources
• The Disability Advisors Working Network (DAWN) handbook on Teaching Students With Disabilities : Guidelines for Academic Staff
• For accessibility considerations when scanning and editing text, see Guidelines for editing scanned text and Textbook Conversion to Accessible Formats. 

Useful web resources include

• NUI Galway’s Inclusive Teaching Practice
• Trinity College Dublin’s Inclusive Curriculum (TIC) 
• National Council for the Blind of Ireland offers resources for producing written or online information that is accessible to everyone.
• JISC TechDis covers accessibility in learning.

Software

Students have access to a wide range of software. Click on the links below to access user guides and tutorials.

Applications available in the University PC Suites 

Read & Write provides multi-feature literacy-support to assist students with their reading and writing. Unique functionalities include text-to-speech, phonetic spell checker, word prediction, speaking dictionary and a scanning facility. There is an easy to use toolbar that 'floats' on top of any open application. Link to video tours. 

MindGenius is a mind-mapping tool to help develop ideas and organise thinking. To access the tutorial, open Mind Genius, click the following and open the "Getting Started" manual: Getting Started with Mind Genius.

Applications available only in the Assistive Technology Area

Dragon Naturally Speaking (DNS) is voice recogniiton software. The user dictates and the words are transcribed onto the screen and into word documents, emails, etc. This application will also play back dictation for editing and proofreading. 

• Dragon Naturally Speaking 15 User Guide
• Dragon Naturally Speaking 15 Quick Ref Card  

JAWS (Job Access with Speech) is screen-reading software designed to assist blind or visually impaired computer users to access information. The screen reader enables the user to read and write MS Word and Excel documents, browse the web, send and receive emails and access databases.

• JAWS Quick Start Guide  

Zoomtext is a screen reader and magnification package for people with low vision. It combines large print and screen reading when using Windows. Access the Tutorial at http://www.aisquared.com/support/more/tutorial/

• Introduction to Zoomtext  
• Using Zoomtext with Shortcut Keys

Useful Links

Listed below are links to the web sites of disability related organisations in Ireland and the UK, plus a few from Europe. The notes about each site are generally taken from the pages of the sites themselves.

The list does not claim to be exhaustive, so if you come across any web sites that you consider useful, please contact Sylvia Nutley.

• AbilityNet  Offers a range of services on the use of information technology.
• Access West  Aims to provide access to information that is up-to-date, accurate, relevant and above all empowering.
• Accessible Information for All
• AHEAD  The web site of the Association of Higher Education Access and Disability. Promotes full access to and participation in third level education.
• Aware  A voluntary organisation aiming to assist those who are directly affected by depression.
• BILD  British Institute of Learning Difficulties aims to influence policy makers, encourage good practice, and help people with learning difficulties take charge of their own lives.
• Brainwave – The Irish Epilepsy Association  The Association is concerned to improve the quality of life of people with epilepsy in Ireland.
• British Computer Association of the Blind  Organisation of visually impaired people who use information and communication technology.
• British Deaf Association UK’s largest national organisation run by deaf people for deaf people.
• British Dyslexia Association  Aims for a dyslexia friendly society that will enable all dyslexic people to reach their potential.
• Career Resources for Americans with Disabilities 
• Centre for Accessible Environments Concerned with how the built environment can best be made or modified to achieve inclusion by design.
• Centre for Independent Living Aims to empower and enable people with disabilities to achieve independent living, choice and control over their lives.
• Disability Action Works to ensure that people with disabilities attain their full rights as citizens.
• Disability Federation of Ireland National support organisation for voluntary organisations in Ireland who provide services to people with disabilities.
• Disability-federation.ie Site for disability-related information in Ireland.
• Disabled World  Bimonthly magazine of international disability news and views.
• Disabled Living Foundation UK charity providing advice and information on equipment and assistive technology for independent living.
• Dyslexia Action Educational charity for the assessment and teaching of people with dyslexia, and for the training of teachers.
• Dyslexia Association of Ireland  Aims to promote awareness of specific learning difficulties, and to help dyslexic people to realise their potential.
• Dyslexic.com  Reviews and sells a range of products, and has a range of articles on dyslexia.
• Enable Ireland The social model of disability is central to the organisation's provision of services, and considers access, inclusion and equality as entitlements for people with physical disabilities.
• Equality and Human Rights Commission  Promotes equality and human rights in Britain, providing advice and guidance. Also aims to raise awareness.
• European Disability Forum European umbrella organisation aims to ensure full access to fundamental and human rights through their active involvement in policy development and implementation in the EU.
• Fighting Blindness Committed to finding treatments and cures for all forms of blindness and related sensory loss through the funding and promotion of Irish research..
• Galway Centre for Independent Living  Seeks to empower those with physical, sensory and emotional disabilities to take control of their own lives.
• Hearing LINK UK charity aiming to improve the quality of life of those who are hard of hearing. Provides information and advice, provides communication access, and raises awareness.
• Humanity & Inclusion  UK site providing a range of information and resources for anyone with an interest in supporting disabled students in higher education. 
• Independent Living Institute  Offers resources for people with extensive disabilities and develops consumer-driven policies for self-determination, self-respect and dignity.
• Institute for Design and Disability Provides information on how to remove barriers that exclude people with disabilities from taking an active part in everyday life.
• Irish Deaf Society  National organisation of deaf and hard of hearing people.
• Irish Wheelchair Association  National organisation of people with limited mobility.
• JISC TechDis Accessibility in learning resources designed to enable staff to create effective, engaging and accessible learning materials for their learners.
• Mental Health Foundation  Largest UK website on mental health. Foundation aims to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems.
• Mental Health Ireland National voluntary organisation that aims to promote positive mental health and to actively support persons with a mental illness, their families and carers by identifying their needs and advocating their rights.
• Microsoft Accessibility  Presents the accessibility options in Microsoft products.
• Mind Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales.
• MS Ireland The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland
• Muscular Dystrophy Ireland Provides a range of support services to persons with neuromuscular conditions and their families.
• National Association for Deaf People  Campaigns for full equality in all aspects of life for deaf and hearing impaired people.
• National Council for the Blind of Ireland  The major organisation in Ireland for the visually impaired.
• Rehab Independent organisation that provides training, employment, social care and commercial services in Ireland and the UK.
• Royal National Institute of the Blind  The UK's leading charity offering information, support and advice to people with sight problems.
• Action on Hearing Loss  UK charity aiming to achieve a better quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing people.
• Scope  Focuses on people with cerebral palsy.
• Sense  Organisation offering advice and services to the deaf and blind.
• Skill  National bureau for students with disabilities. UK charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of disability in post-16 education, training and employment.
• Studying in the UK with a disability  Studying-in-UK.org is an information and news publishing website about the United Kingdom higher education and latest news that concern international students in the UK, as well as a publisher of a large number of helpful informational content and exclusive research about international students in the UK.

Suggestions

If you have any suggestions for improvement regarding any aspect of our service, please email Disability Support: disability.support@nuigalway.ie. Your suggestions can cover access, the physical space and its organisation, software, equipment, services, or any other issues.