Contact Library Accessibility Services
Dana Porter Library, Room 251C
University of Waterloo Library
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1
(519) 888-4567 x33012
About assistive devices
- Assist people in performing every day tasks such as moving, communicating, reading, or lifting
- Extension of person’s personal space
- don’t touch, lean on, or move device without permission
- Part or all can be given to person(s) with whom interacting to assist with task performance, e.g.:
- Frequency Modulation (FM) system for people with hearing disabilities: person speaking wears microphone part of system; person spoken to wears receiver part that cancels out background noises, enhancing hearing
- see Pocketalker Pro and Simeon soundfield
- Frequency Modulation (FM) system for people with hearing disabilities: person speaking wears microphone part of system; person spoken to wears receiver part that cancels out background noises, enhancing hearing
Examples of assistive devices:
- wheelchairs
- walkers
- laptops with screen-reading or communicating software
- teletypewriters (TTY)
- enables telephone-like communication using text
- calls placed to or from non-TTY user can be made via Bell Relay Service — specially trained operators, available at all times
Our commitment
Library Accessibility Services (LAS) is committed to serving people with disabilities who use assistive devices to obtain, use or benefit from our goods, services, and/or facilities. We will ensure that designated staff members are trained and familiar with library-supported assistive devices that may be used by customers while accessing our goods, services, and/or facilities.
The Dana Porter Library’s Adaptive Technology Centre (ATC) and Circulation services have a number of assistive devices available for students with approval in their AccessAbility Services and/or LAS accommodation plans.
Staff and faculty with Occupational Health Services-approval are also welcome to use our assistive devices.
Please contact or visit the LAS office in the ATC, room 251C, for more information on, or to sign-out any of our assistive devices, including:
Introduction to the Pocketalker
- personal amplification device to improve hearing
- ideal for one-on-one conversations
- two devices at ATC; two devices available at Circulation desk
UbiDuo 2
Check it Out: the UbiDuo 2 Wireless
- ideal tool to facilitate face-to-face interaction where typing conversation easiest way to communicate
- allows individuals to chat in real time on wireless machines
- one device available at Circulation desk
Bose Acoustic Noise Cancelling QuietComfort 25 headphones
Bose QC 25 Noise Cancelling Review
- advanced noise reduction technology providing exceptional elimination of intrusive outside noise and aural distractions
- Four pairs available at Circulation desk
Pebble HD hand-held magnifiers
Intro to Pebble HD Portable Video Magnifier
- especially useful for browsing library’s collections (magnifying call numbers on books)
- two magnifiers available at Circulation desk.
- portable device that amplifies person’s voice
- Library's Simeon 500WU Duo model allows for two presenters to broadcast over sound system at once
- available at Library Technology and Facilities Services office LIB320, book well ahead of time
Note: This device intended only for staff/faculty use in classrooms and instruction sessions
Other assistive devices and technology in the Library
Resources
- Customer Service Standard Section 80.46: Establishment of policies (policies must deal with the use of assistive devices by persons with disabilities to obtain, use or benefit from the goods, services or facilities or with the availability of other measures, if any, which enable them to do so
- Assistive Technology in the Library (YouTube video from the Ontario Library Association)