Users with disabilities have physical access to the Morris Library through the main entrance ramp and power-assisted doors. The entrance break-away security gates of the Morris Library are wheelchair-accessible. The elevator located off of the Information Room and the elevator located behind the south atrium stairway are equipped with controls at wheelchair height. The Reference and Circulation Desk counters have been modified to a lower level for the convenience of library users in wheelchairs. DELCAT terminals, bathrooms and water fountains are also available for wheelchair access. Red phones for emergency assistance are located at each main stairwell exit on each floor.
The Assistive Technology Center (Room 119), with specially equipped computers and other equipment, is located on the main floor of the Morris Library. Also on this floor is the Cummings Room (Room 123), a group study/reading room for all library users. The Cummings Room is an endowed room in memory of Herbert Lank, a reader for Francis Joseph Cummings.
The Assistive Technology Center is equipped with five computers and other assistive technology devices and materials. The assistive technologies available on the five numbered workstations are:
Workstation #1 Hardware: Dell Optiplex 745 with Intel Dual Processor, 2 GB memory and 256 MB graphics cards,160 Gig hard drives, speakers, 26" monitor, and a braille printer. Software: MS Office 2003, JAWS Screen Reader software 8.0, Duxbury Braille Translator within Microsoft Word, Adobe Reader 8.
Workstation #2 Hardware:Dell Optiplex 745 with Intel Dual Processor, 2 GB memory and 256 MB graphics cards, 21' flat screen monitor, external stereo speakers, HP ScanJet 5100C flatbed scanner. Software: Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer.
Workstation #3 Hardware: Dell Optiplex 745 with Intel Dual Processor, 2 GB memory and 256 MB graphics cards, 160 Gig hard drives, flat screen monitor, hp Scanjet 5550c, external stereo speakers. Software: MS Office 2007, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer, Kurzweil 1000, JAWS screen reader software 8.0, Adobe Reader 8.
Workstation #4 Hardware: Dell Optiplex 745 with Intel Dual Processor, 2 GB memory and 256 MB graphics cards, 160 Gig hard drives, flat screen monitor, external stereo speakers, Epson scanner. Software: MS Office 2003, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer, JAWS screen reader software 8.0, Adobe Reader 8, Kurzweil 3000 version 10, MAGic screen magnification software.
Workstation #5 Hardware: Dell Optiplex 745 with Intel Dual Processor, 2 GB memory and 256 MB graphics cards, 160 Gig hard drives, external stereo speakers, flat screen monitor, Epson scanner. Software: MS Office 2003, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer, JAWS screen reader software 8.0, Adobe Reader 7.0, Kurzweil 3000 version 10.
Other equipment includes:
SmartView 3000 for print magnification
HP Laserjet P2015dn
Printing House for the Blind tape recorders
AlphaSmart 3000
Perkins braille typewriter
Tape, large print, and braille dictionaries are also available.
Due to the presence of the sensitive and fragile technical equipment, and to ensure that the equipment is always available to users with disabilities, the power-assisted door of the Assistive Technology Center is locked when not in use. All University users with disabilities may request their own individual key to the center. Keys may be issued with a deposit to be renewed each semester. Any individual who wishes to use the center need only go to the Reference Desk to ask to have the Center door unlocked. Circulation has a key and will unlock the Center if the Reference Desk is closed.
Users may view videos which are available with closed captioning on four video stations in Instructional Media Collection Department on the Lower Level of the Morris Library.
In instances in which users with disabilities wish to view videos in the Library and require vocal narration or discussion between a viewer and an accompanying assistant, requests to view a video must be given to the Instructional Media Collection Department 24 hours in advance. The advance notice will allow library personnel to arrange for a screening site that will not disturb other library users in the viewing carrels.
Users with disabilities who have difficulty using self-service copiers may bring materials to the Student Multimedia Design Center desk on the lower level of the Morris Library. Materials will be copied by library staff.
“Books I Have Checked Out” through DELCAT allows University of Delaware students, faculty, and staff to view their library account information and to renew library books online. Materials borrowed from the University of Delaware Library may also be renewed by calling 831-2455.
Library patrons with disabilities should use the red emergency phones to call Public Safety. The patron should then tell Public Safety the number on the phone. The number will identify the location of the caller to Public Safety. These phones are located throughout the building near the elevators and stair towers. There is a red emergency phone located outside Room 119 of the Assistive Technology Center at the stairwell exit.
Students with disabilities and the students’ assistants are encouraged to make appointments with Library staff for orientation and tours of the Morris Library and the Assistive Technology Center. Users with disabilities requiring a basic introduction in the usage of specialized assistive technologies in the Assistive Technology Center should schedule an appointment with the Coordinator of Users with Disabilities. Instruction in advanced features of this technology may be arranged with vendor training where warranted. Use of the braille workstation requires training with the understanding that priority use is reserved for ADA registered students with specific disabilities and ADA personnel.
Library staff can also advise users with disabilities on how the Library can accommodate their needs, including retrieval of materials and photocopying by Library staff. Call the Reference Department at 831-2432 for an appointment with Library staff responsible for assisting users with disabilities. These individuals are:
