RESOURCES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
IN THE BHCC LIBRARY
In keeping with its policy related to serving students with disabilities, the Library has an ongoing mission to make its collections and materials accessible to persons with disabilities. Materials, equipment, software and accommodations available in the Library include the following:
NEW computer work station for the library, located in room E319 (Please ask library staff to assist you in accessing computer work station.)
Computer work station contains the following features:
- Dell Precision 4490 computer with 2GB of memory
- Epson 4490 photo scanner
- HP Color LaserJet printer
- Kurzweil 3000 black/white scan/read software
- JAWS professional version software
- ZoomText magnifier/reader software
- Dragon Naturally Speaking software
- Ease Reader software
- Digital Talking Book software
- Dolphin Producer software
- Inspiration version 8
- One public access computer (computer #10) which uses a large display font along with high-contrast display settings. This PC is also equipped with a large, easily-discernible cursor.
- Talking Book Program Cassette tapes and records.
- Record player with earphones and cassette players with earphones and key extenders.
- Page turner.
- One magnifier with light source for use with textbooks or other printed materials.
- Wheelchair-accessible study desks, tables and carrels.
- Shelves, located behind the Lending Services Desk may be used to store current textbooks that are too heavy to carry due to a disability. To place books here, a student must present the appropriate referral from the Health and Handicap Service Office or the Disabled Student Advisor to a Library staff member.
Much of the Library's supply of adaptive equipment, including materials from the Talking Book program, cassette and record players, and magnifiers, is located on the Reserve shelves behind the Lending Services Desk.
In addition to providing regular library services, library staff members are available for brief needs such as retrieving shelved materials and obtaining books from higher shelves. Personal services of a more extensive nature such as taping books or reading are outside the responsibilities of busy library staff.
Web-based Resources
- Text of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related documents useful for finding actual text of statute and related technical documents.
- U.S. Department of Justice ADA Home Page Find information on new and proposed regulations, enforcement status reports, and technical assistance materials.
- Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) Created in 1981, the Massachusetts Office on Disability works to "bring about full and equal participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life." MOD is the Commonwealth's ADA Coordinating Agency.
- Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
- Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)
- American Foundation for the Blind
- Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI) A site dedicated to insuring that disabled persons have the same access to computer-based or Web-based information as do the able-bodied. Contains much information on how to make the Web and its technology disability-friendly.
- National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS administers a free library program of braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States by postage-free mail.
- Guide for Small Businesses and Other ADA Information This 15-page illustrated guide presents an overview of some basic ADA requirements for small businesses that provide goods and services to the public. It provides guidance on how to make their services accessible and how tax credits and deductions may be used to offset specific costs.
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