Slides from sherif event on Accessibility and e-content - February 2017

1. Supporting Students at Middlesex University:
filling in the gaps
Kate Vasili, Copyright Officer
Ruth Houghton, Disability Liaison
Librarian
sherif , 24th
February 2017

2. Where we started
| 2Presentation title

3. © Middlesex University
Disability Support Service
Staff to support students
Equipment to create
accessible versions
Software and technical
support
Advice on where to get help
and funding e.g. Access to
Learning Fund and Disability
Support Allowance.
Support for Exams, with Tutors
and also with finding suitable
Rooms
| 3Presentation title

4. © Middlesex University
We had…
Visual impairment and blindness
• Video magnifiers and text scanner
readers in all libraries.
Hearing impairment and deafness
• Communication Support Workers or Sign
Language Interpreters.
• Deaf awareness training for academic
and support staff.
• Induction loops in most major (large)
lecture theatres.
• Local area loop systems at library issue
counters and student office counters
Administrative database.
Presentation title

5. © Middlesex University
We had continued…
• Dyslexia
• Extensive support from
the Learner Development
Unit.
• General Support
• Separate room for
students additional needs
to use
https://www.dyslexia.uk.com/ | 5

6. © Middlesex University
But then……
Scissors cutting the word costs concept for recession or credit crisis
http://www.dustjacketreview.com/efficient-cost-cutting-aims-at-eliminating-wastage-and-
thereby-increase-in-output-quality/
| 6
• Cost cutting and restructures

7. © Middlesex University
Then came the legal changes
howtostartablogonline.net | 7

8. © Middlesex University
UK Legislation
Public Sector Responsibilities:
•Disability Discrimination Act 1995, replaced by the Equality
Act 2010
•Public Sector Equality Duty 2011 requirements to:
(a) remove or minimise disadvantages suffered by persons who
share a relevant protected characteristic that are connected to
that characteristic;
(b) take steps to meet the needs of persons who share a
relevant protected characteristic that are different from the
needs of persons who do not share it;
(c) encourage persons who share a relevant protected
characteristic to participate in public life or in any other activity in
which participation by such persons is disproportionately low.
Presentation title | 8

9. © Middlesex University
UK Legislation contd…..
• Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 as amended
(inter alia) by ‘Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) Act 2002’,
Provisions for providing accessibly copies of whole works
to Visually Impaired Persons or those unable to
physically manipulate a print copy.
o Excluded certain types of work (music and computer
programs)
o Failed to address other print disabilities i.e. dyslexia,
dyspraxia.
• Subsequently amended again by ‘The Copyright and
Rights in Performances (Disability) Regulations 2014.
Now covers all types of works and all types of
disabilities as defined in the Equality Act 2010.
Presentation title | 9

10. © Middlesex University
Licensing
CLA (Copyright Licensing Agency) Clause 9
•Incorporated into the Licence provisions 2003
•Provided for copying whole mandated works for any print
disabled authorised persons.
•No reporting or other administrative requirements
Presentation title | 10

11. © Middlesex University
Changes at Middlesex
• Disability Support became part of the Library as ‘Library
and Student Support’ (LSS) 2013
• Accessible Format Requests under remit of Copyright
Officer
• 2 Disability Liaison Librarian volunteers
• New Disability and Dyslexia Support Manager appointed
• LSS Disability Support Group established
Presentation title | 11

12. © Middlesex University
Accessible Format Requests
• Middlesex registered with both RNIB Load2Learn and
Bookshare
• Collection Development Policy = ‘e’ first for core texts and
essential reading
• Digitisation of essential chapters/articles (all OCRd)
• Flow diagram created to establish stages of checking:
– Student needs and eligibility (DDS)
– Library holdings and accessibility (DLL)
– Availability to purchase in required format (DLL)
– Availability via Load2Learn (DLL)
– Request accessible format from publisher (CO)
– Create an accessible format copy (CO)
– Provide accessible format to Load2Learn (CO)
Presentation title | 12

13. © Middlesex University
Environment
Areas of Concern Issues Identified Actions
Entrance Heavy glass doors Replaced by Automatic
Doors
Library Lifts Too small Replaced Lift Carriages
Ask a Librarian Study Hub Awkward for wheelchair
users.
Customised to allow easier
wheelchair access
Laptop Loan Cabinets Opening at random heights New wheelchair friendly
cabinets and configuration
Study Furniture Not easily accessible with
wheelchairs
New height adjustable
desks and chairs
Personal Library Support Someone available at key
times to help with physical
constraints
‘Buddy’ scheme
Unihelp Hearing Loops Not working Power supply addressed
Deaf Alerts Emergency/fire evacuations
etc.
Auto. Text alerts to
students’ mobile devices.
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14. © Middlesex University
Entrance Doors
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Double set of heavy glass doors
Double set of concertina style
automatic doors

15. © Middlesex University
Lifts
Rear entrance LG to G
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Main lift to all floors

16. © Middlesex University
Ask a Librarian - Study Hub
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17. © Middlesex University Presentation title | 17

18. © Middlesex University
Adjustable Study Furniture
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19. © Middlesex University
Lap Top Loan Cabinets
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20. © Middlesex University
Personal Library Support
Presentation title | 20

21. © Middlesex University
Hearing Loops
Presentation title | 21

22. © Middlesex University
Deaf Alerters
• Deaf Alert devices replaced by automatic text alerts to
personal mobile devices under PEEP (Personal
Emergency Evacuation Plan)
Presentation title | 22

23. © Middlesex University
Inclusive Practice
One size does not fit all!
Presentation title | 23
Developing guidelines for teaching.
Possible ideas include:
•Glossary handout to explain jargon
•Outline the scope of the session
•Upload teaching material in advance
•Use Arial or Verdana (Sans Sarif)
•Use no smaller font size than 24
•Limit number of bullet points
•Use a variety of teaching activities to
reinforce themes

24. © Middlesex University
University Networked IT
Assistive Technology
•Read & Write Gold
•Mindview
•Kaltura
Coming Soon:
•SensusAccess/Robobraille
Under consideration:
•Dragon
•Abbyy finereader
IT Support staff and online guides for how to use them
Presentation title | 24

25. © Middlesex University
The Little Things
Items to loan or give out
•Portable Hearing Loops
•Ergonomic mice (mouses? misces?)
•Ergonomic/Braille keyboards
•Magnifying screens
•Coloured overlay sheets
•Document stands/holders
Presentation title | 25

26. © Middlesex University
Student Information
•Disability and Dyslexia Service
http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/your-support-services/disability-and-
dyslexia
•Library support for disabled students
http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/your-study/library-and-it-
support/help-and-support/library-support-for-disabled-
students
Presentation title | 26

27. © Middlesex University Presentation title | 27
Thank you and Questions

28. © Middlesex University
Image Sources:
• Slide 4: A person reading a braille book with two fingers,
antonioxalonso - CC BY 2.0
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoblasete/3780972882/sizes/o/
• Deafness: http://www.belmarrahealth.com/hearing-loss-in-later-life-
early-deafness-caused-by-mutations-in-hearing-related-gene/
• Slide 5: Dyslexia: https://www.dyslexia.uk.com
• Slide 6: Scissors cutting the word costs concept for recession or
credit crisis http://www.dustjacketreview.com/efficient-cost-cutting-
aims-at-eliminating-wastage-and-thereby-increase-in-output-quality/
• Slide 7: Judges Hammer, Legal Gavel CC BY 2.0
howtostartablogonline.net/legal
• Slide 24: Assistive Technology:
https://sites.google.com/site/sarahsexceptionalatsite/visually-
impaired/at-resources
All other images © Middlesex University
Presentation title | 28