Physical Accessibility

Safe and accessible parking is provided near the library entrance with level walkways and gradually sloping ramps leading to the front doors. A mechanically operated entrance/exit door is available for access by those with physical disabilities. Within the building, handrails are provided on stairways, rest rooms are designed for ready access, and lower mirrors and drinking fountains are available for wheelchair users. Braille floor numbers are mounted next to floor selection buttons in elevators.

   

Assistive Technology Workstations in Reference Area

The S.E. Wimberly Library has two assistive technology workstations available for use by persons with disabilities in the Reference Department. The equipment, which has ADA compliant software, is set up on study carrels with extra high table tops to accommodate persons in wheelchairs. Two rows of three carrels are set back-to-back just outside the east door of the Reference Office (LY157). This equipment is reserved for persons with disabilities and a password from the Reference staff is required to operate the PCs. This equipment is located in the reference area to insure that students with disabilities have easier access to the equipment and that assistance by reference staff in its use is readily available. If you need instruction on the use of this equipment, you may schedule an appointment with the reference staff by calling (561) 297-3785. Adaptive technology software available on these assistive technology workstation computers includes:

• Arkenstone Open Book
  This software enables a scanner to scan any printed text--right side up, upside-down, or even multiple columns--from magazines, books, or photocopies through the use of Optical Character Recognition (OCR). The software then reads it out loud. Certain keys come programmed to stop reading, spell words, resume reading and other functions. The software reads everything that appears on the monitor, even the commands from drop-down menus. Some of the customized settings offer a choice of voices and reading speeds. Earphones are available at the Reference Desk to allow for privacy.
• JAWS for Windows
  This program reads out loud everything that appears on the monitor with its own speech synthesis named Eloquence, allowing an individual with any visual impairment to have access to the Internet and electronic databases. Certain keys come programmed to stop reading, spell words, resume reading and other functions. The software reads everything that appears on the monitor, even the commands from drop-down menus. Some of the customized settings offer a choice of voices and reading speeds. Earphones are available at the Reference Desk to allow for privacy.
• Magic for Windows
  This software is a magnifier that allows individuals to view the computer screen by use of electronic magnification and color sensory imaging.

In addition to the two Magnifying America computers, the library has also purchased:

• Magnifying America Patriot XLC CCTV Video Magnifier
  This is a magnifying overhead with a lamp, that has been attached to what looks like a regular television monitor and is available to assist low vision patrons to read large images of text on the screen.
• Aladdin Ambassador Reading Appliance
  This scanner/reader (has no monitor) reads anything that is put on the glass top scanner through built-in microphones. The system is set to operate by pushing only one button, "play," to both start and stop.

   

Other Special Services

People are encouraged to ask for basic library instruction at the Reference Desk. If the Reference Desk is not staffed, other library public service staff members will provide reference assistance to the best of their ability.

FAU students, faculty, and staff, as well as PBCC South Campus students, who require more in-depth instruction in the use of the library and its services may schedule by appointment a library consultation with the Information Literacy and Instructional Services Department. Click here to request a consultation.

The staff of Access Services (Circulation/Reserve/Current Periodicals & Microforms) will assist students with disabilities by retrieving materials and photocopying materials as needed. Requests for assistance will be handled by staff within 15 - 30 minutes after a request has been submitted. However, if staffing at the desk is limited or the staff cannot assist the student at the time of a request, the student and the staff will mutually agree upon a time shortly afterwards when the student may best be assisted. Please note that staff will be best able to provide assistance 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

The Media Center has 20-inch TV/VCR monitors with closed captions, as well as other wheelchair-accessible a/v stations.

Special Collections & Archives is located on the second floor, east wing.  The hours are 9:30am to 4pm, Monday through Friday.  All collections are stored in closed stacks; materials are paged for use in the Special Collections reading area.  Users must register prior to the paging of material.  Staff will assist users with disabilities as required and will provide copies of materials should a disabled user wish to read at an assistive devise.  Unaffiliated users will be asked to reimburse the costs of photocopying or scanning.  Should access to materials be required nights or weekends, requests may be made by calling (561) 297-3787 during open hours, or by sending an e-mail message to LYSCA@fau.edu. Messages are retrieved on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and acknowledged within 24 hours.

To read about ADA Services provided at the FAU MacArthur Library in Jupiter, go to http://www.library.fau.edu/npb/adaserv.htm.

All FAU students with disabilities are encouraged to register with the Office for Students with Disabilities. Telephone: (561) 297-3880, Monday - Friday, 8am -5pm.