[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/librarylssd.jpg” caption=”Lorna Turcotte demonstrates the assistive technology available in library consultation rooms: a Closed Circuit TV and Zoomtext.”]Imagine only being able to read five per cent of the books on your bookshelf at home.

Only five out of every 100 English language texts in the world are currently available in alternate formats, making many books difficult to read for people with visual or learning disabilities.

Today is the United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day meant to raise awareness of the issues that some people face every day. Staff at the Library Services for Studentss with Disabilities (LSSD) office do their part to ensure that everyone in the McMaster community has the chance to reach their academic goals.

The primary goal of the LSSD office, located in the Mills Learning Commons, is to “level the playing field” so that students with disabilities have equal access to the tools they need to reach academic success. Most students with disabilities require formats other than traditional print and can't go to the bookstore to purchase their textbooks. LSSD provides students with textbooks in a variety of different formats such as Braille, large print and electronic formats that can be read aloud by a computer. This fall alone LSSD acquired over 200 textbooks in a variety of alternate formats at no cost to the individual student.

“The LSSD technology and services provide an opportunity for students with disabilities to reach their potential in an environment that is not always suitable to their needs,” said undergraduate student Rachel Duban. “The staff work with the individual's strengths and in doing so, do not let the students weaknesses hinder the quality of education they receive. As a student with a disability, assistive technology and services help me complete my work and meet the same standards as my fellow students. This provides self-confidence, strength and assurance that my disability will not interfere with my goals in life.”

Print textbooks often have to be transcribed, a process which involves using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The transcription is then manually edited by staff at LSSD who add page numbers, alternate text for pictures and charts, and other features that make the document more accessible. Even textbooks available electronically are not always accessible and in these cases LSSD staff transcribe or scan to an accessible electronic format. Braille or large print textbooks can also be obtained from the Ministry of Education's Resource Services Library.

The Library has two consultation rooms in Mills Learning Commons, both furnished with assistive technology such as JAWS (a screen reader which provides users with access to information on the screen through text-to-speech), Kurzweil (a software program used to scan and read documents aloud through synthesized voice) and Zoomtext (a magnification and reading software). These programs are also available on all library research computers in the public areas.

LSSD staff also facilitate book retrieval and photocopying, as well as offer research help in a manner which accommodates the student's disability. LSSD works closely with the Centre for Student Development Disability Services, Titles and various university departments and faculties.

For more information about LSSD, see Library Services for Students with Disabilities.