Disadvantage compensation and services for library use

The Library and Information System (BIS) at the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg has set itself the task of catering to the individual needs of disabled and chronically ill users. This includes assistance and services. The need for extensive assistance (e.g. copying an entire book) should be announced in advance.

Users with a disability card can apply for an extended initial loan period and are entitled to a telephone extension. In general, disabled and chronically ill users can take advantage of various compensations for disadvantages. These can be clarified in an individual consultation.
You can find more information on barrier-free working at BIS here.

Contact for requests, suggestions (and complaints):

Dr Oliver Schoenbeck (Public Relations),
Telephone 0441/798-4257
oliver.schoenbeck(at)uol.de

There is also compensation for disadvantages for disabled and chronically ill students at Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences and Jade University of Applied Sciences. Please speak to the staff about this.

Disabled-accessible computer workstation in the university library

The disabled-accessible computer workstation in the BIS makes life easier for many physically and sensory impaired people, but also for students with dyslexia, for example. With its special hardware and software, it offers users the opportunity to search the Internet and library catalogues and databases more easily than before.
As it is located in its own room, it is also ideal for working with personal assistance, as other BIS users are not disturbed by necessary conversations.

A high-performance computer (Windows XP with standard software and Internet access) with a high-resolution graphics card, sound card, 27-inch monitor and wireless headphones is available as an accessory for a standard keyboard, a large-field keyboard for the visually impaired and people with fine motor impairments, and a separate large-button mouse. The height-adjustable table adapts to the individual needs of the user. The computer is also equipped with magnification and speech output software, which allows blind and severely visually impaired people to use existing software and conduct research on the Internet or in databases. A Braille display is also available as an alternative. Users with visual impairments can use the screen reader and magnifier to enlarge books and other materials for reading. There is also a board camera for viewing larger books and maps.

A special reading aloud and book scanner has been newly acquired, which can also save the scanned pages not only as a photo but also as a PDF and voice file (!). Another new addition is the DRAGON NATURALLY SPEAKING 10 prof. speech input system for keyboard-free operation of the computer or for dictating texts and subsequent conversion into a text file.

If individual components that you need are not connected, please contact the Infothek. Mr Kropp (contact person) or another member of staff will then convert the workstation to meet your needs at short notice.

Incidentally, this workstation is reserved for all visually and physically impaired library users, i.e. not just for students.
The proximity to the information desk enables quick and uncomplicated assistance.

You can find more information about the workstation on the library website.