Adaptive technology rooms
These rooms have assistive software and adaptable workstations. They support people with print-based and learning disabilities.
Not sure how to use the hardware or software? for a tutorial.
If you have questions or concerns not addressed on this page, please write to askus@uvic.ca.
Locations
- Mearns – McPherson Library: main floor, rooms 113e and 113f
- Law Library: main floor, room 172
Availability
The rooms are open to all UVic students, faculty, and staff during library hours. People who need to use specialized technology or adaptable equipment have priority.
Adaptive technology rooms cannot be pre-booked. Each room has multiple workstations for all patrons to share.
Software
Available software includes:
- ABBYY Fine Reader
- Dragon Naturally Speaking Professional
- Equatio
- JAWS
- Kurzweil 1000
- Kurzweil 3000
- Kurzweil 3000 Read The Web extension for Google Chrome
- MS Office productivity software
- NVDA
- PaperCut
- Read&Write extension for Google Chrome
- Respondus LockDown Browser
Hardware
Available external hardware devices include:
- Desktop microphone
- Keyboard, fully split
- Keyboard, partially split
- Screen glare filter
- Tablet for writing/drawing
- Trackball mouse
- Vertical mouse, left-handed
- Vertical mouse, right-handed
- Webcam
Guidelines
Users of the adaptive technology rooms should follow the room guidelines:
- Respect that the rooms are shared spaces
- Do not move or remove furniture and signs
- Do not unplug or adjust equipment without asking staff
Getting to the adaptive tech rooms
Rooms 113e and 113f are on the ground floor of the McPherson Library – Mearns Centre for Learning. They are near the main entrance to the building, down a corridor to the left as you enter through the foyer. They are signed as “Adaptive Tech Rooms.”
There are two sets of doors at the building entrance – one between the lobby and the outside and one between the lobby and the library proper. Each set of doors has a push button automatic door opener. The narrowest point is the people-counting gates after the second set of doors. The distance between them is approximately 96 cm (38 in).
The journey through the foyer and into the adaptive technology rooms has both laminate and carpeted flooring, and several sets of half-dome shaped transitions.
The doorway into the adaptive technology rooms is approximately 86 cm (34 in) wide.
Using the adaptive tech rooms
Furniture
Each room has at least one adjustable height table, as well as fixed tables. There are rolling adjustable office chairs, with and without armrests.
Lighting
Each room has four overhead fluorescent lights. There are no windows to the outside, but there are windows to the adjacent illuminated corridor. There are no blinds.
Ventilation
There are no windows to the outside. There are intake and outtake vents on the ceiling.
Temperature
Temperature within the Mearns-McPherson Library is variable – we recommend being prepared for temperature fluctuations.
Noise
The ground floor of the library is often busy. The sounds of people talking and moving around are moderate to high with the door open, and soft to moderate with the door closed.
Restrooms
The nearest accessible, all-gender toilets are two individual stalls in the Bibliocafé. The entrance to the Bibliocafé is off the main foyer, and has an automatic push-button door opener. There is a wide, clear path to the two single-stall restrooms.
The stall on the left is equipped with a lift. You may request the harness for that lift at the Ask Us Desk, near the entrance of the library.
Additional support
The CAL Adaptive Technology program supports students registered with CAL to find and use the right technology to mitigate disability-related barriers.