Disability Information for Library Staff

Assistive Technology Training

UT students, faculty and staff should contact Patricia Hooper 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
- Disability Definitions from ASU
- Etiquette Brochure from Tennessee Department of Human Services
- Disability Brochures from UT Office of Disability Services
- Using Words with Dignity from Community Resources for Independence
- Appropriate Language and Interacting with People with Disabilities from the UT Disability Careers Office
- Sign Language dictionary with video clips

Software for Visual Disabilities

JAWS [Assistive Technology Workstations in Reference, AgVetMed]
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)
- Tutorial from University of Buffalo
- Commons Keystrokes

Kurzweil 1000 [AT Workstations in Reference, AgVetMed]
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 [AT Workstations in Reference, AgVetMed]
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
- Tutorial from College of New Jersey

Software for Learning Disabilities

Read and Write Gold [All Commons, OIT Labs and Laptops]
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