How the Library can Accommodate Your Needs as a Disabled Student

The Library is incredibly dedicated to accessibility, with an Accessibility Specialist and disabled students’ feedback being directly involved in the running and creation of accommodations for different needs. Charlene is sharing some ways that the Library can accommodate your needs as a disabled student.

Tags: Library Tips and Tricks, Wellbeing Tips and Tricks, Accessibility

Outside of the Library there are six disabled parking bays, two beside the Cafe Library and four at the back of the building. The Library itself is located on the first floor of the building and can be accessed by lift or stairs.

To enter the Library, there is a wider entrance barrier for wheelchair access. The main entrance leads directly to lifts that can access all floors of the Library, with one dedicated lift prioritised for disabled students or staff.

Most doors are also automatic and wide.

In terms of facilities and services within the Library, there are height adjustable desks and chairs in areas prioritised for disabled students in the Library – 6 desks on floor 1 behind the Breathing Space, and 7 on Floor 2 extension.

The variety of chairs and seating in the Library can also assist with back support and comfort, and you are always welcome to ask Library staff at the Helpdesk for assistance in finding the specific supportive seating you need!

Leading on from my previous point about adjustable desks, most of the accessible desks are also equipped with computers that are loaded with various assistive technology to accommodate students with learning disabilities.

This includes Read & Write (text-to-speech), Workrave (timed work sessions with rest breaks), Mind Manager and Inspiration (mind mapping or visual learning), as well as colour veil for adjusting the colour of screens available through ClaroRead.

Most of these are also available in the IDG software centre on any University owned computer (which includes the Library!).

The Library website has a floor plan that maps the software available on each computer. Our Accessibility Specialist, Hannah Marshall, suggests giving the different computers and software a go, as these tools can be helpful for anyone!

If there’s a particular software you find especially helpful for your studies, IT or Disability Services may be able to support you in downloading it onto your personal computers for home use, where available.

Clearly defined and marked noise zones make a big difference for students finding study spaces with noise levels that suit their needs. While Floor 1 and 2 are collaborative, often livelier and louder study spaces that are perfect for you to study with friends or with background noise, the rest of the Library are quiet study spaces with minimal noise.

On Floor 2 extension, there is a silent study room which can benefit students with noise sensitivities, and a quiet sensory study room that enables quiet stimming with sensory toys and alternative seating (like sofas of different shapes!).

As a neurodivergent student, I particularly love studying on Floor 2 extension with my headphones as it offers a calm, quiet space where I can study with others but not be distracted by background noise of too many people as seating by the windows is spaced out.

The Breathing Space on Floor 1 is also one of my favourite places in the Library as the lo-fi music, cosy chairs and relaxing nature visuals are really regulating and soothing on the senses.

Additionally, the Library holds Sensory Refresh events where you can explore what textures, lights, colours, smells and sounds you enjoy which can help you relax from your studies, so be sure to come along to the next one!

Next to spotlight are the accessible study rooms, which are private individual (with carer or companion) study rooms on each floor, bookable online or at the door for any students registered with Disability Services.

A 360° view of each room is available while booking online, but generally each room is wheelchair accessible with automatic doors activated by buttons/card access, has height-adjustable desks and chairs, alternative seating (e.g. beanbags, soft corner chair, or wobble chair), with footrests, bookstands and laptop stands. There are coloured LED lights, dimmable lighting, fidget toys, weighted blankets, ear defenders, earplugs, mindful colouring stationary and some rooms have AC for temperature adjustments. Whiteboards with markers, clocks and hand sanitisers are also available in the rooms.

I found these study rooms a perfect place to start when exploring the Library for the first time when I was initially intimidated by the size of the Library, and very useful for learning what accommodations aided my studying. They were safe spaces for me to discover, at my own pace, how I liked to learn. However, they can be fully booked in busier term times, so gradually familiarising yourself with different parts of the Library and finding your go-to study area can really help.

Finally, the Library staff are always here to help. At the Helpdesk by the front entrance, staff can support you in finding books, equipment or the noise zone you need, along with services like Click & Collect that make it easier to access physical books you need, phones in all Accessible Study Rooms if you need assistance, and a number that you can text noise complaints to for staff to intervene if there are disruptions in a quiet / silent noise zone.

Hannah Marshall is working on re-vamping the Accessible Equipment Loaning System for the new 25/26 academic year, which would make equipment like weighted blankets, fidget toys, ear defenders and coloured overlays available to be loaned for use in the Library, collected at the Helpdesk.

Lastly, the Library can provide disabled students with an accessible Library tour in the beginning of the year or individual inductions anytime to help you find specific accessible facilities tailored to your needs.

In summary, accessibility helps everyone, and the Library is equipped and eager to support you in your learning, with accommodations for a variety of disabilities. From one disabled student to another, your needs matter, and the Library really does care. They are constantly striving to improve, so don’t hesitate to reach out!