Patrons with Disabilities

In an effort to provide the best possible service and ensure access to the Health Science Center Library Collection and services for patrons with disabilities, the HSC Library provides a number of special services. Persons who wish to take advantage of these services should inquire at the Information Desk on the 1st floor, call or email.

  • Assistance in retrieving and using Library resources is available at all Library public service desks.
  • Wheelchair accessible Circulation Desk.
  • Telephone reference is available. Please call or email.
  • For patrons with hearing impairments, call the Florida Relay Center at 1-800-955-8770 (voice) or 1-800-955-8771 (TTY).
  • Wheelchair access to computer workstations is available. Photocopy machines also are accessible to persons in wheelchairs – please ask at the Information Desk on the 1st floor if you require assistance. Special requests may be directed to the Circulation Coordinator. Please call or email.
  • Service animals are welcome in the library, as are service animals in training.
  • Health Science Center Library Accessibility Liaison: Jane Morgan-Daniel

Equipment

The Health Science Center Library provides height-adjustable tables and chairs, wheelchair accessible furniture, light-weight moveable chairs (with/without arm rests) and scanners on all three floors.

KIC Bookeye Scanner (on 2 floor of HSC library)

  • KIC Bookeye Scanners are digitize-on-demand system for books, magazines, and journals and are located in each library branch. The KIC Bookeye Scanner can capture 20 book pages per minute for instant access on tablets, notebooks, smart devices and easy transfer to desktop PCs and servers.
  • The KIC Bookeye Scanner supports both v-cradle and flat modes and can scan material as large as 24 x 17 inches. Images can be saved to KIC’s flash drive port or sent directly to any email address. The KIC system is built for continuous use in public areas and is wheelchair-accessible.

Sensory friendly spaces

Sensory-friendly refers to consideration of environmental factors like light, sound, or smell that may contribute to sensory overload.

Two Energy Pods are available on the 2nd floor of the library. Energy Pods feature a privacy visor, built in speaker and music, and a gentle wake sequence of programmed lights and vibrations. The 3rd floor is the designated quiet floor, and there are also individual study rooms available for checkout.

Proxy Borrowing

The proxy borrower privilege is a service that facilitates research and coursework by allowing designated individuals to check out library materials on behalf of faculty members, undergraduate or graduate students who are registered with the Disability Resource Center, or staff who are registered for accommodation with UF’s Office of ADA Compliance. This privilege extends to all UF Libraries. More information and Proxy Borrower application form.

SensusAccess

SensusAccess is a document conversion system that converts documents into accessible formats, and is available to UF students, staff, and faculty. To access the service, please visit https://accessibility.ufl.edu/sensusaccess/

Software

Kurtzweil 3000 is installed on all public library computers. It is an educational and assistive technology providing reading, writing and study support. Features include:

  • Reading – converting text-to-speech
  • Writing – planning and organizing writing and hearing your writing read back to you
  • Study tools – organizing content, listening to content, highlighting, embedding notes, vocabulary tools

Browser plugins

Library computers allow you to install accessibility plugins for available browsers, including Google Chrome and Firefox. Please note though that these installs are only available for that user session, so you would have to install the plugins each time you login.

Study Rooms

Group study rooms C2-45M and C2-45P (second floor) are wheelchair accessible. Please call or email for more information on wheelchair accessible single study rooms.

Additional resources