Spaces

Table of Contents

• Emergencies
• Library-specific accessibility information
• Adaptive Technology Centre (ATC)
  • Space overview
  • Special restrictions
  • ATC study rooms

Emergencies

In case of a Emergency, please contact the Special Constable Service at 519-888-4911 x 22222

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Library-specific accessibility information

For information on the general accessibility of the four University of Waterloo libraries, refer to our Library-specific accessibility information page.

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Adaptive Technology Centre (ATC)

Location: On the main floor of the Dana Porter Library, room 251. Located at the back of the main lobby, to the right.

Hours: The ATC is open during the regular hours of the library. Office hours are offered during business hours through the week.

The Adaptive Technology Centre (ATC) is a welcoming Quiet Zone within the Dana Porter Library, dedicated and open to all with accessibility needs. If you believe that you could benefit from using the space, you are welcome to do so. Disability disclosure is not required.

However, some features and amenities of the ATC do require a one-time permission, granted by LAS staff, to be added to your library account. Permission is required for the following services: study rooms, term-use lockers, and assistive technology available to borrow. To receive this one-time permission, introduce yourself to LAS staff in-person during ATC office hours or via the LAS introduction form, providing your name and student number. 

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Space overview

When you come to the ATC, you can expect:

• a quiet, scent-free, sensory-friendly common area. Please be respectful of all users using the space
• 6 workstations, each equipped with:
  • height adjustable desks
  • large format monitors with HDMI and USB-C cables to plug PC or Mac laptops
• 2 PCs with headphones, large format keyboards, and the following assistive software pre-loaded:
  • ZoomText (screen magnifier for Microsoft Windows)
    • Tutorial: Zoom Text Full Video (YouTube video)
  • Inspiration 10 (the ultimate thinking and learning tool for visual mapping, outlining, writing, and making presentations)
    • Tutorial: Inspiration 10 (website)
  • Kurzweil 3000 (comprehensive reading, writing, and study support)
    • Tutorial: How to use Kurzweil 3000 (YouTube video)
• 2 study rooms
  • See below for the list of all amenities available within the study rooms. Keys are checked out at the Dana Porter circulation desk
• 12 term-use lockers
  • Available on a first-come, first-served basis. Keys are checked out at the Dana Porter circulation desk
• “The Rest Stop” AKA most comfortable chair on campus
• a Merlin HD OCR video magnifier
  • Tutorial:Merlin Elite Instructional Video (YouTube video)

At the circulation desks at Dana Porter, Davis Centre, and Musagetes Libraries, there are more assistive devices available to borrow and use within the library. Visit our Assistive Devices page to learn more.

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Special restrictions

The ATC is a Quiet Zone, meaning it is a noise-free space. Headphones must be worn if listening to music, videos, or text-to-speech services. Cellphones must be silenced and calls must be taken outside of the space.

The ATC is a scent-free space. This prohibits the wearing of strong perfumes, and the eating of hot food within the space. The ATC is located near the dining area for Browser's Cafe, where hot food can be enjoyed. Snacks and drinks are welcome within the ATC.

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ATC study rooms

To book a study room in the Adaptive Technology Centre (ATC), visit the LAS study room bookings page. 

Within the ATC, there are 2 study rooms for students to book, Study Room A and Study Room B. Room keys are checked out at the Dana Porter circulation desk, and must be returned to the circulation desk at the end of your booking.

The maximum booking time for these rooms is 4 hours per day, per person.

The study rooms are designed for individual, silent study. They are not sound proof.

Our study rooms are equipped with:

• adjustable tables and ergonomic chairs
• adjustable lighting
• whiteboards
• flatbed scanners/printers
• PC computers featuring:
  • large format monitors, outfitted with HDMI and USB-C cables to plug in PC or Mac laptops
  • webcam
  • the following assistive software preloaded:
    • Fusion (combination of Job Access With Speech (JAWS) Computer Screen Reader and ZoomText Screen Magnifier)
      • Tutorial: Introducing ZoomText Fusion 11 (YouTube video)
    • Dragon Naturally Speaking (voice recognition software package that converts spoken words to on-screen text)
      • Tutorial: See Dragon in Action (YouTube video)
    • ZoomText (screen magnifier for Microsoft Windows)
      • Tutorial: Zoom Text Full Video (YouTube video)
    • Inspiration 10 (the ultimate thinking and learning tool for visual mapping, outlining, writing, and making presentations)
      • Tutorial: Inspiration 10 (website)
    • Kurzweil 3000 (comprehensive reading, writing, and study support)
      • Tutorial: How to use Kurzweil 3000 (YouTube video)

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