Services for readers with disabilities and medical conditions

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Services for readers with disabilities and medical conditions

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Introduction

The University has several Library services and facilities to assist readers with disabilities and medical conditions in the effective use of its libraries. These services are provided jointly by the University Student Services and the University Library.

The UniAccess card

A UniAccess card is needed to use the special services the Library provides. The card is issued by the Disability Officers who are located in Student Services on the 1st floor of the Guild Village Building.

UniAccess: UWA's Disability Office

The University has Disability Officers who can provide assistance to any enrolled student or staff who wishes to disclose a disability or a chronic medical condition. The Disability Officers are:

Barbara Levit (tel:6488-3809, email: barbara.levit@admin.uwa.edu.au)

Pauline Pannell (tel: 6488-7864, email: pauline.pannell@uwa.edu.au)

Deborah Allen (tel:6488-5893, email:deborah.allen@admin.uwa.edu.au)

Katie Ellis (tel:6488-1801, email: katie.ellis@admin.uwa.edu.au)

Generic email: uniaccess@uwa.edu.au

You can find the UniAccess Disability Officers at Student Services on the 1st floor of the Guild Village Building. Don't hesitate to drop in and find out what types of supports can be provided. The Library services listed below are only some of those that are provided to readers with disabilities and medical conditions.

Library access and tours

Access to library buildings, and within the libraries is listed here. Personal tours of the Library to meet individual needs can be arranged through the Disability Officers.

Disability Support Worker

The Disability Support Worker is based in the Resource Room in the southwest corner of the Reid Library Building on the first floor and can help with activities such as collecting books from shelves and photocopying. The Disability Support Worker is available during semester at the following times:

Monday to Friday 10am-2pm

You will need to show your UniAccess card and complete an assistance request form [PDF; 14K] indicating what assistance is required. Assistance by the Disability Support Worker is available at any of the subject libraries on the main University campus.

Photocopying

The Disability Support Worker can help with photocopying which is half price for clients with UniAccess cards.

Borrowing and returning items

If you have a UniAccess card and it is difficult for you to come to the UWA Library we can send items to you. To register for this service contact the Disability Support Worker.  Or you can give your UniAccess card to a friend so they can borrow items on your behalf.

All library clients can renew loans themselves through the Library Web site or by telephone (6488 1777) for three additional loan periods if they not overdue or requested by another borrower.

UWA Library books can be returned to any subject library and all libraries have after hours return chutes. 

Library Web site

The Library Web site is the gateway to information resources held within the Library and around the world. It is available from computer terminals in all UWA subject libraries, as well as from University departments and laboratories, and home computers with an Internet connection. The Library Web site provides access to:

  • the Library catalogue
  • the catalogues of other libraries
  • indexing databases
  • electronic texts and journals
  • Course Materials Online
  • electronic request forms
  • "Ask a Question" electronic reference service
  • information about UWA Library
  • information skills training and library tutorials
  • the World Wide Web
  • examination papers online

Other WA University Libraries

All UWA staff and students have reciprocal borrowing privileges at Curtin University, Edith Cowan University and Murdoch University. To use the specialist services, facilities and equipment at one of these libraries you must have a UniAccess card and a signed letter of introduction from the UniAccess: UWA Disability Officers.

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Resource Rooms 

There are two Resource Rooms; one in the Reid Library Building and one in the Science Library.The Reid Resource Room is located in the southwest corner on the first floor of the Reid Library Building; the Science Resource Room is located on the western side of the first floor of the Science Library.They contain specialised study equipment and ergonomic furniture  and are available for use during normal  Library opening hours. At present the Reid Resource Room contains:

  • Adjustable desks
  • Footrests
  • Book stands
  • 3 PC's and laser printer
  • Computer software
  • Jaws software
  • ZoomText software
  • Kurzweil software
  • Magnifier
  • Closed circuit TV unit for enlarging text (located in the Business Library)
  • Word recognition software (Dragon Naturally Speaking)
  • Scanner with speech output
  • A rest area with firm but comfy lounges
  • Lockers
  • Walking frame with basket
  • Book trolley

Library visitors

Visitors to the University Library needing information regarding access assistance should contact the Library Inquiry Service 6488 1777, or contact the UniAccess: Disability Officers (deborah.allen@admin.uwa.edu.au) or (barbara.levit@admin.uwa.edu.au) at Student Services 6488 3809 or 6488 7864.

Contacts

Disability Support Worker:

email: dso@library.uwa.edu.au

Disability Officers:

Pauline Pannell(tel: 6488-7864, email: pauline.pannell@uwa.edu.au

Barbara Levit (tel:6488-3809, email: barbara.levit@admin.uwa.edu.au

Disability Liaison Librarians:

Jenny Wildy (tel:6488 3726), email: jwildy@library.uwa.edu.au

Felicity Renner (tel:6488 2327), email: frenner@library.uwa.edu.au

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