Bierce Library ADA Workstations

Bierce Library has three computer work stations designated for use by those with special needs. These work stations provide adaptive equipment and software to facilitate research and study. There is one research station located on the first floor of Bierce Library to the right of the Reference/Information desk. Two work stations are located on the second floor of the library in private study rooms and can be used for word processing as well as research. All work stations provide Internet access and printing capabilities.

Use and Liability

Priority use of adaptive equipment is given to users with special needs.
Please see a staff member at the Reference Desk to log on to the first floor ADA work station.
Keys to second floor Rooms 253E and 254A are available at the Circulation Desk.

Adaptive Software

First floor research station:	JAWS Zoom Text
Second floor Room 253E work station:	JAWS Zoom Text Open Book Dragon Naturally Speaking MS Office
Second floor Room 254A work station:	JAWS Zoom Text HumanWare ClearView Electronic Magnifier MS Office

Equipment

Additional equipment is available at the following work stations:

First floor research station:	Electronic adjustable table Printing available from public print release stations Headphones - ask at Reference Desk
Second floor Room 253E work station:	Scanner Printer Direct telephone connection to circulation desk Electronic adjustable table
Second floor Room 254A work station:	Printer Direct telephone connection to circulation desk Electronic adjustable table

Printing and Saving Files

The second floor work stations are attached to personal printers. Printing is free, but users must supply their own paper.
Print jobs may also be retrieved at any of the print release stations located on the first floor of the library or in Bierce Room 361 and cost $.07 per page.
Files may also be e-mailed, downloaded to a floppy disk, or a USB drive.
Floppy disks and USB drives are available for purchase at the Bierce Circulation Desk.
All files saved to the hard drive must be removed at the end of a work session.

Teletypewriter (TTY)/Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD)

A TTY/TDD line is installed at the Bierce Library Reference Desk. This line enables us to receive calls from deaf or hearing-impaired users who utilize a similar device from home, work, or elsewhere on campus. Some patrons may refer to this type of device as a TTY, or teletypewriter; others may refer to it as a TDD, or telecommunications device for the deaf. Both terms are acceptable, although TTY seems to be preferred by the deaf or hearing-impaired community.

Basically, the TTY enables the text of a telephone conversation to be displayed on a text display screen. The content of a TTY conversation is nearly the same as that in a spoken telephone conversation; however, some abbreviations are commonly used. Below are some common TTY abbreviations.

Common Abbreviations

ASAP - As soon as possible
CD or CLD - Could
CUZ - Because
EDUC - Education
GA - Go ahead
GA SK - About to hang up
HD or HLD - Hold
IMPT - Important
LTRS - Letters
MSG or MSGE - Message
MTG - Meeting
NBR or NU - Number
OFC - Office
OIC - Oh, I see
OPR - Operator
PPL - People
PLS - Please
Q - Question
R - Are
SERV or SVC - Service
SD or SHD - Should
SK - Ending the message
SKSK - Hanging up
THKS - Thanks
THRU - Through
TMR or TMW - Tomorrow
U - You
UR - Your
URS - Yours
XXXX - Erases an error

Tips

Spell out numbers.
Leave extra spaces between sentences.
Use the Backspace key to correct spelling errors. Or, use xxxx, e.g., BEIRCE XXXX BIERCE.
Always wait for the other person to type GA before responding.
Use punctuation to express emotion, e.g., WOW!!!

Support and Help

The work rooms on the second floor have phones that connect directly to the Circulation Desk for users in need of assistance. Calls can be transferred to the reference desk.
For assistance with library resources such as library catalogs, indexes, electronic journals, or research databases, users of the first floor research station can go to the Reference Desk located on the first floor of the library next to the work station. Users of the second floor work stations can use the phones that connect directly to the circulation desk. Circulation staff can transfer calls to the reference desk.
Hardware and software assistance is available at Laptop Computer Services (Bierce Room 361) and the TLSC Support Desk (Bierce Room 69).
For information on how to connect to The University of Akron's WLAN (wireless local area network) with your own laptop computer, please call (330) 972-5308, e-mail (compstore@uakron.edu), or visit Computer Solutions (located on the third floor of the new Student Union).
University of Akron Office of Accessibility