Accommodative Services

1- What types of students with disabilities, and how many, do you see at your
university? In your library?
Bloomsburg University: Neurological, learning disabilities, mental illness, chronic health
problems, hearing loss, low vision, mobility; in library, learning disability, vision; campus wide,
~170 per semester
California University: Blind students, deaf students, students with mobility issues (wheelchairs,
etc)
Clarion University: Mobility impaired, visually impaired, hearing impaired
East Stroudsburg University: There are visually, hearing, and mobility impaired students as
well as many who have self-identified with learning disabilities. I do not know the total number
enrolled on campus. Disabled students visit the library during all hours of operation but we have
not made any effort to count them. I have personally assisted about 2 visually impaired students
and 1 mobility impaired student.
Indiana University: The IUP Disability Support Services reports that about 400 students use
their services. Not known how many of those are using the library. Most of those students need
help because of ADD or dyslexia and use note takers, recorded textbooks, or test
accommodations which do not involve the library.
Kutztown University: Visual impairment, learning disabled, ADD/ADHD, physical mobility
(wheelchair), physical mobility (ambulatory), medical health problems, psychological/emotional
Lock Haven University: Mostly learning disabled students and visually impaired
Mansfield University: We have students with vision impairments, mobility problems, and
learning disabilities.
Millersville University: Most of the disabilities at the University are learning disabilities; of the
physically challenged types, most are in wheelchairs or blind or other visually impaired;
Millersville has very few of these; in the library we mainly have (again in small in number) either
wheelchair-bound or visually impaired
Slippery Rock University: At SRU and in the library we see a range of disabilities: visual and
hearing impaired, mobility impaired (wheelchair bound) as well as students with a variety of
learning disabilities.
West Chester University: All types of disabilities: physical, mental, learning.

2- What office on campus works with these students? What relationship does this
office have with your library? Is it a formal or informal relationship?
BU: Office of Accommodative Services for Students with Disabilities
Calif: Office for Students with Disabilities which is housed under the Student Assoc., formerly
under the Academic side of the U. What do you mean by formal? We don't report to this office,
but we have an open relationship with them. I guess it's formal when it needs to be. If either
they or we need help, we contact each other.
Clarion: Office of Disability Support Services. Informal, on an as needed basis.
ESU: Office of Disability Services. I contacted the office last year and was told I had been the
only one from the library to contact them in the last few years. I have agreed to be their library
contact person. This is an informal relationship at the moment
IUP: Disability Support Services is part of the Advising and Testing Office in Student Affairs
Division. It is an informal relationship; we contact them as needed.
KU: Office of Human Diversity. Library contact person works with this office. Informal. Joanne
serves on the University's ADA Task Force
LHU: Department of Disability Services, Dr. Reynol Junco, director. He is part of the Academic
Development and Counseling
Mans: The office on the Mansfield University campus is the Center for Services for Students with
Disabilities. The office has no formal or information relationship with the library; however, there
is a good, though informal, relationship between the Head of that Center and Mansfield
University librarians
Mill: Office of Learning Services. Office has informal relationship with Library. We call upon
them from time to time; their staff also hold training sessions as well as workshops for faculty
and staff - sometimes they bring in outside experts.
SRU: The Office for Students with Disabilities coordinates all activities relating to students
requiring accommodative services. The office is located in the library on the first floor near the
reference desk. The Disabilities Office was put in the library some years ago because space was
available, not because of any perceived connection between the Office and the library.
WCU: At WCU, the O.S.S.D. (Office of Services for Students with Disabilities) is the campus
entity that works with these students. The O.S.S.D. has a branch office in the Library. It's a
formal relationship for the most part. Students with disabilities approach the O.S.S.D. who then
contact us if they need library accommodation. We feel the relationship to be a very strong and
amicable one. Two members from the library (myself included) are also on the University ADA
Taskforce. The taskforce also includes members of the O.S.S.D.

3- How many students with disabilities (on average) have asked for accommodative
services in your library? Does your library require some sort of preregistration for
these services?
BU: 1 last semester; no registration required
Calif: On average, maybe 2 per semester; no
Clarion: Perhaps 1-2 per year. We see several with disabilities, but they don't request services.
Identified students register with the Office of Disability Support Services but not with the library.
ESU: Unknown; but I have personally only had only three students ask for services. We do not
require pre-registration.
IUP: Not known. No preregistration is required
KU: This current semester I would estimate approximately eight, although I often see students
using the Center. It's open to everyone but students in need have priority. No preregistration
required.
LHU: No, we have no preregistration of students. We see students 2-3 times a semester
Mans: One student has asked for accommodative services. There is no preregistration required.
The student asked for software to help her be able to read the screen and the problem was
resolved by Sheila Kasperek, one of our reference librarians (and also the web designer for the
university), with the help of Mr. Chabala, the head of the Center for Services for Students with
Disabilities. Accommodative software was purchased and installed on one computer in
the library.
Mill: Don't have any figures. No preregistration required.
SRU: We do not have an accurate count of the number of students with disabilities asking for
accommodative services in the library. We have a few severely disabled students every semester
who use the library. We do not require preregistration to use library services, with the exception
of the Special Services Room maintained in the library for the use of students requiring
accommodative services.
WCU: On average, the library has about 5-6 per semester who request assistance. It should be
noted that many students use the library with no obvious disability. The University has about
700 registered students this year, many of them with emotional, learning or mental issues. The
library does not require registration. Most students are now referred to us through O.S.S.D

4) What services does your library provide for students with disabilities? If
appropriate, include any accommodations your library made to comply with ADA (the
Americans with Disabilities Act), such as signage, ramps, etc.
BU: Kurzweil Reader (print only, not electronic); electric magnifier (print only, not electronic);
wheelchair access; elevator; handicapped accessible bathrooms; TDD unit at Reference Desk;
library will be getting new equip. this summer
Calif: We have ramps to enter the building, automatic doors, elevators, Kurzweil Reader - The
Reading Edge, a Humanware Clearview Video Magnifier - CCTV, listening rooms for cassettes for
albums, FM Tuners, wheelchair accessible workstations. We do not have any Braille signage
Clarion: Alarms have flashing strobes for hearing impaired. Ramps, elevators, and signage is
new and compliant. Shelving is appropriately spaced. We have an optical enhancer. Software
includes Kurzweil, JAWS, and BOBBY.
ESU: We have one Xerox/Kurzweil Model 7315-30 Reader. We have a separate wheelchair
accessible entrance with automatic door and signage.
IUP: The building is handicap accessible. There is braille in the elevators. We have a Voyager XL
system by VTECK for use by visually handicap. We have tables for computer use that will adjust
for wheel chairs.
KU: The library was expanded in 1998 and the new section was built ADA compliant. When the
new addition was completed in 1998, the older part of the building was made ADA compliant.
See attached printout of our web page.
LHU: A liaison (me) librarian. Our entries are ADA compliant, as are the stacks, and one
bathroom (unisex). Our signage is ADA compliant. Circulation services will fetch books, I will
arrange to photocopy articles, book chapters, etc. for transcription. We have a special reader for
enlarging text (looks like a microform reader/printer); JAWS (a computer program for reading
aloud text) is provided on one OPAC. It rarely works right, but this was chosen for the university
to provide.
Mans: We do have software on one computer in the library to aid people with visual
Impairments. The library has an electronic door and an elevator, so is accessible for wheelchairs
and those with mobility problems. The head of the Center for Services for Students with
Disabilities pointed out that with so much of our resources available electronically and remotely
that physical access to the building is less necessary than previously.
Mill: The library has Zoomtext software on computer workstation in reference area and in
instruction classroom; we have some tables in reference area and in instruction classroom that
accommodate wheel chairs; library's signage is all ADA compliant along with entrance doors,
driveway and sidewalk cuts, drinking fountains height; availability of restrooms on two floors.
Because the elevator does not stop on all our book floors (elevator was installed in 1967), the
circulation department will retrieve materials for any patron that is permanently or temporarily
physically challenged because of this. Because of the building's configuration, there is a security
door between different sections of the building that students and the community patrons are not
allowed to enter; however, there is a keypad on this door allowing staff to enter and leave;
physically challenged people can obtain a number to be used on the keypad so that they can
enter and leave (hopefully without any of our library materials).
SRU: The library maintains a Special Services Room for the use of students with disabilities. The
SSR contains equipment for voice to text, scanners for text to voice, computers and programs
that can increase the size of text on the screen and that can enlarge text of printed materials,
and cassette recorders. ADA compliance extends to Braille signs in elevators and at some other
key locations in the building. In the reference and instructional materials areas one PC on each
service desk at a height accessible for wheelchair bound patrons. The front door is handicapped
accessible, the bathrooms on each floor have been outfitted with wheelchair accessible fixtures,
and there is a dedicated handicapped accessible bathroom on the first floor.
WCU: The library has a room with special equipment and software for those who request it.
Until recently the bulk of our assistance involved scanning books (texts and otherwise). We have
a staff person who helps with special accommodation. She has these duties as part of her job
description. The library has made many changes to the building in an attempt to be compliant
with the A.D.A. Such changes include bathrooms, signage, ramps, automatic doors, barrier
awareness, among others.

5-Who is responsible for managing these services? What about on nights and/or
weekends?
BU: Head of Access Services, Steve Wiist, is contact person
Calif: The Library Information Systems Administrator (me); The Circulation dept.
Clarion: Our systems person sets up the software. Any thing else is very informal.
ESU: All librarians that cover the reference desk provide services. However, I have been
informed that no one has requested assistive technology for several years. The Office of
Disability Services has their own set of equipment and computer software and provides services
directly to students in their building
IUP: I think that it is my responsibility as Associate Dean to manage the services. Evenings and
weekends would be handled by the clerk at the Circulation desk.
KU: Electronic Resources & Periodicals Technician. Evening technician on duty until midnight
and on Sundays. Student coverage on Saturday.
LHU: Since I am a liaison, I oversee these things usually I help with research problems and this
is arranged by Disabilities sec'ty and me. I generally have seen and provided reading services,
i.e., we have to read the screens of pilot and the databases.
Mans: There is no person designated for managing these services. Any of the reference staff
could/would lend assistance.
Mill: is no one person assigned; however, circulation department handles a lot of the people as
well as the reference librarian on duty.
SRU: The library and the information technology department share responsibility for managing
the specialized equipment. The Disabilities Office oversees all services for the disabled. Night
and weekend staff have been trained in using the equipment in the SSR. All staff have been
trained in dealing with mobility impaired patrons during fire alarms and emergencies.
WCU - I (the Faculty Access Services Librarian) am responsible for managing these services.
Until recently this was the job of the assistant director. Most of the day-to-day work is done by a
staff member (library ass. II). Nights and weekends are handled by the night time circulation
supervisor (library tech.)

6-What type of written policy does your library have concerning accommodative
services? Who is responsible for writing such policies?
BU: The Ref. Coord. wrote a policy (10 years old?) explaining services and giving contact info for
help, but it should be updated.
Calif: None/If assistance is required please ask for help
Clarion: No. Dean and faculty. We would first follow university guidelines.
ESU: --We do not currently have a written policy. --The Library Director in consultation with the
Access Services Librarian would be responsible for writing a policy.
IUP: No written policies.
KU: Our policy is as follows: Any member of the Kutztown University community is welcome to
use the Assistive Technology Center; however, students with need take priority.
LHU: Standard ALA policy is followed per Dr. Tara Fulton, Dean of Library Services.
Mans: There is no written policy nor is anyone responsible for writing such a policy.
Mill: We have no overall written service policy but there are policies outlined in the circulation
department's procedures manual.
SRU: The library does not have a written policy concerning accommodative services. I (the
director) would be responsible for writing such a policy.
WCU: The library has a policy that is in handout form and is also available on the web via the
library homepage. The webpage has a text only link. We try to update the policy yearly but
have let that slip recently. Right now the library assist. 2 and I are doing the update.

7 - What type of training has your staff had for accommodative services? Include
training in terms of specific equipment, as well as sensitivity or awareness training.
BU: None
Calif: Very limited initial training when equipment was first acquired. No sensitivity or awareness
training
Clarion: None
ESU: None. The reference staff could not provide an operation manual for the Xerox/Kurzweil. I
was able to obtain a copy from the Office of Disability Services.
IUP: No training
KU: Library has conducted several workshops on disabilities which included sensitivity and
awareness training. Training was also held for Emergency Evacuation Procedures for persons
with disabilities. Training has taken place for using an evacuation chair located on the first floor
of the library.
LHU: Unfortunately, none. Because our Disability Offices provides each student (only one or two
a year--all visually impaired) with the hardware and software support, we rarely see them. They
are also provided helpers--for reading and research in the library, who may or may not identify
me (sometimes there are minimal research skills --I worry about information literacy skills for
both the disabled student and the student assistant, who is workstudy; Rey and I both see a
problem, since it depends on how professional or interested the helper is.
Mans: The staff has all had customer service training.
Mill: No formal training program; circulation staff trains their students as best as they can to
handle normal situations as well as emergencies
SRU: The library faculty and appropriate staff have been trained in the functioning of equipment
and software in the Special Services Room. When we outfitted the user education classroom we
made special accommodations for disabled students.
WCU: Some time ago the library staff had wheelchair, barrier awareness, and TDD/TDDY
training. Some of this training was from the O.S.S.D. and some was from a local external
institution with expertise in subject. We are due for more training. When new equipment
comes, unfortunately we usually end up training ourselves.

8 - Has your web page been evaluated for ADA compliance? Was this an issue in the
overall web design? What do you think is the greatest obstacle to compliance with
ADA guidelines for web design?
BU: Web master is aware of ADA compliance problems; however, databases pose largest
problem with accessibility
Calif: Our webmaster has made great strides in trying to make our website compliant. It's not
completely compliant, but it is very accessible
Clarion: We used Bobby and found that it [our site] was not in compliance, but not too bad. The
Web design committee is aware of compliance issues and is working on them. One obstacle is
that University guidelines for Web pages are not in complete compliance.
ESU: No. The web page design was produced before I was on the staff. But I do not believe
that ADA compliance was considered in the design. The greatest obstacle would be the links to
subscription and outside resources where those sites cannot be changed locally to ensure
accommodation.
IUP: Web page compliance is under study by the university. The library will follow their
directives when they are forthcoming.
KU: Yes, the library web site was evaluated by the University Webmaster - he checks for Bobby
Compliance. The webmaster is in the process of reviewing all the University's web pages. The
greatest obstacle is making a page that is graphically pleasing and ADA compliant.
LHU: No. We did not address the ADA compliance with our page, and it is difficult for visually
impaired students' software to read. Frankly, this has not been an issue of high priority by our
university web team
Mans: Yes, the person who designs our web pages definitely does consider and evaluate them
for ADA compliance. She stated that the greatest obstacle for her is using tables in her layouts.
Mill: No; No; Don't know.
SRU: The web page has not recently been evaluated for ADA compliance and this is currently an
issue. For us, the greatest obstacles are awareness of compliant web design, absence (currently)
of a webmaster, and the specific expertise on the staff to make the web page compliant
WCU: Our webpage has been evaluated using Bobby by the O.S.S.D. The University ADA
taskforce is giving serious consideration to an outside consulting firm called RampWeb
(http://Rampweb.com). The first few pages of the library webpage have text-only options. The
greatest obstacle we face is the ever growing number of electronic database vendors who are not
compliant. Basically, technology improves faster than the will/resources to make them
accessible.

9 - What do you see as the greatest overall challenge(s) facing universities and
libraries in terms of accommodative services over the next five to ten years?
BU: Pete Walters (Accommodative Services Office) stated that BU used to be driven by "best
practices" but now appears to be driven by case law and the threat of lawsuit; #s of students
with learning disabilities / psychiatric disabilities will steadily increase while those with physical
disabilities will decrease; students do not identify themselves during admissions (are
recommended to do so) but wait until after admitted; Office is working more with IUs;
documentation is an issue
Calif: Keeping up with ever changing technologies and keeping this in line with the University
Mission
Clarion: Changing technologies, students who don't self-identify, funding, change in compliance
laws, permanence of ADA accommodations that are difficult to change once laws change, funds
put aside to meet compliance needs may not be adequate if population needs change..
ESU: Active recruitment and enrollment of physically disabled students and the increase in self-
identification of learning disabled students will continue to challenge university libraries both in
terms of providing special accommodative services and for adapting existing services.
IUP: Funding will probably be a central issue. The director of Disability Support Services at IUP
mentioned the expense of some of the equipment and software available.
KU: Keeping up with the technology and the costs involved in acquiring it. In addition, the
increase in need as more and more students request services. We think this is because of
campaigns to educate the public about disabilities and remove the stigma surrounding them.
This is a positive change but it does create resource challenges for those providing services.
LHU: Providing cogent interfaces to all students--in fact, this is an issue Endeavor has failed to
realize. Interestingly, Ebscohost provides text only stuff.
Mans: Perhaps an increasing number and variety of accommodative services required along with
a decreasing budget.
Mill: Keeping up with the legal requirements; training for different types of disabilities as well as
sensitivity training; impact on academic freedom for classroom faculty; hiring regulations;
keeping ADA or other concerns whenever university or library renovations take place; getting
agreement on what types and levels of library services should be offered.
SRU: We think the greatest overall challenge is posed by the physical configuration of the
facility. Aisles are minimally accessible to wheelchairs, service desks predate ADA regulations.
Signage does not systematically address the needs of the visually impaired etc. These will all
need to be addressed in the next building upgrade
WCU: At the risk of sounding redundant: The greatest obstacle we face is the ever growing
number of electronic database vendors who are not compliant. Basically, technology improves
faster than the will/resources to make them accessible. This illustrates that the same issues
facing Universities are those facing libraries. Also-understanding and accommodating new
disability types and adapting to personal advocacy issues.

10 - Are you a member of any listserv for the state schools?
Would it be helpful for the information we collect on what our sister schools are
doing to be disseminated somehow? If so, how would you prefer we do that?
BU: Participate on Reference & ERC; would be helpful to have a web site as clearinghouse of info
Calif: I'm on many listservs, and I think it would be helpful to share the info. It would be a good
idea to somehow have a network of people that we can help each as different needs arise on
different campuses to see what other people have been able to do
Clarion: Yes. Sure. Email, listserv
ESU: Circ/ILL/Reserves Listserv (KLN) and UBorrow Listserv (KLN). Perhaps an additional listserv
could be created to exchange information.
IUP: I am not yet a member of such a listserv. Disseminating information by email would be
helpful.
KU: Bob Flatley - on SHELCO List, Reference, and ERC lists. Joanne Bucks - on SSHELCO List.
I think a PASSHE Web Site on Accommodative Services would be useful.
LHU: I'm on that big shotgun sprayer from SHELCO, otherwise, not much.
Mans: Yes, I am a member of one of the state schools listservs. It would very much be useful in
that the information could be disseminated via the lists or at least to one librarian in each school
so that everyone can see where we are and see what other schools are doing that might be
helpful at our institution.
Mill: Yes; yes definitely disseminate findings either through conferences, workshops, e-mail or
snail mail.
SRU: We are aware of other academic departments in the University that are addressing diverse
learning styles. Library faculty have submitted a TLTR grant application for $1800 to create four
short instructional videos to be mounted on the web on such subjects as how to log into e-books.
The videos will be closed-captioned. The creators of the videos will go through training from
WebAIM to learn web accessibility. Please send the outcomes to a director and a reference
librarian for posting on the directors and information services listservs.
WCU: I am on a number of listservs, too many to recall right now. I think a listserv or website
would be a very good idea. It would be helpful to know what libraries in PASSHE are doing. I
myself am toying with the idea of a listserv for managers of Access Services. Accommodating
students with disabilities would clearly fit into the scope of the listserv.

March 2005
Compiled by Linda Neyer