Old Dominion University Libraries

Library Accessibility Services
Disability Room image

Staff of the Old Dominion University Libraries will provide assistance to users with disabilities in accordance with library policies and with all state and federal laws governing the use and operations of the library and its materials.

Contact Karen Vaughan - kvaughan@odu.edu 757-683-4184

Campus Resources:

Office of Educational Accessibility
1525 Webb Center
757-683-4655
email: disabilityservices@odu.edu

Virginia Assistive Technology
Southeast Regional Site at ODU
252-1 Education Building
757-683-3639

 

 

Retrieval of Library Materials

An "on demand service" has been implemented in an effort to meet the requirements of patrons who might need special assistance retrieving library materials. Patrons may stop by the Circulation Services desk on the 2nd floor and ask to have up to five books pulled from the library's general collection materials. The material will be pulled at that time. Questions about the library's "on demand service" can be referred to the Circulation Services desk at 683-4154.

Study Room

The library will reserve a group study room for students registered with the campus Office of Educational Accessibility who require a quiet room to concentrate or to study "out loud." Contact the Circulation Services desk at 683-4154.

Research Assistance

Internet workstation #30 in the 3rd floor reference room is equipped with ZoomText, a screen magnifier and reader, to assist patrons with visual disabilities using the library's catalog and electronic resources (headphones are available at the desk).

Some of the library’s databases offer an audio feature for articles and other materials in the database.  Factiva, WilsonWeb databases, and Gale's Literature Resource Center and Virtual Reference library provide audio for most of their content. Locate the audio link to listen.

Reference desk staff are available to assist users with accessibility issues. Users with extended research needs should contact a Reference Librarian in their subject area or call the Reference Desk 683-4178 to make an appointment for assistance.

Specialized Equipment

  • Specialized equipment is available in Room 317 for students registered with the Office of Educational Accessibility:
    • IBM computer with 20" monitor, HP ScanJet Scanner, DECtalk voice synthesizer
    • Arkenstone Open Book Unbound software, Zoom Text, and JAWS
    • Optelec CCTV text enlarger; tape player
  • Users must receive training/orientation prior to using the room. Contact Library Accessibility Services Coordinator, Karen Vaughan 683-4184 or -5953 kvaughan@odu.edu

  • Room reservations are scheduled at the Reference Desk for up to 2-hour intervals. Users may call ahead 683-4178.

  • Hours of room availability: Monday-Thursday 8am-9pm; Friday 8am-5pm; Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 1pm-9pm.
    • Assistance is only available Monday-Friday 8am-4pm.
    • Reference Desk staff is available only for sign-in.