Disability Information for Library Staff

Assistive Technology Training

UT students, faculty and staff should contact at the Office of Disability Services for software training.
Community members should contact East Tennessee Technology Access Center (ETTAC).

Assisting Patrons with Disabilities

- Review University Libraries' Services for Patrons with Disabilities
- Etiquette Brochure from Tennessee Department of Human Services
- Using Words with Dignity from Community Resources for Independence
- Sign Language dictionary with video clips

Software for Visual Disabilities

JAWS
JAWS is a text to speech software for blind or visually impaired individuals. JAWS can read any electronic text and print materials can be scanned and then read by JAWS. (Headphones needed)
Note: Patrons must login to applications (i.e. BlackBoard, etc.) before opening JAWS.
- Tutorial from University of Buffalo
- Commons Keystrokes

Kurzweil 1000
Kurzweil 1000 is an advanced scanning and reading solution for the blind or visually impaired. (Scanner and Headphones needed)
- Quick Tour from Kurzweil Educational Systems
- Tutorial from Kurzweil Educational Systems

ZoomText
ZoomText is a magnifier/screenreader that echoes typing, reads information pointed to by the mouse, and speaks program events as they occur.
- Tutorial from Indiana University
- Tutorial from University of Buffalo

Software for Learning Disabilities

Read and Write Gold
Read & Write Gold assists people who need support with reading, writing and learning. Its literacy support toolbar can be used in combination with programs such as MS Word to aid with reading and writing tasks for people who have learning disabilities or cognitive challenges.
- Quick Reference Sheet
- Training Guide