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ADA Accessible Library Resources

Academic Resource Center

The Academic Resource Center is committed to providing equal access to education for the Webster University community by ensuring that students with documented disabilities receive the support and accommodations they need for academic success. The Academic ADA Coordinator works with each student to create reasonable accommodations that meet their individual needs. At extended sites, site directors or a designated staff member works with students regarding their needs and accommodations. However, the Academic ADA Coordinator is available to assist employees at extended sites as well.

To find out more about accommodations, please contact: disability@webster.edu

The Academic Resource Center also provides assistive technology consultations on a variety of technologies to assist students with access to classroom materials. Additionally, the ARC can provide students with training and access to assistive technologies available on-campus.

For more information or to set up an appointment to learn about the assistive technology available at Webster University, please contact: atarc@webster.edu

Support services at Webster University

Assistive technology in the Library

The library hosts the following assistive technology in Assistive Technology Alcove, Room 212 on the Second Level of Emerson Library.  If you need help with this equipment, please contact the Reeg Academic Resource Center, Webster Groves Campus, Loretto Hall Room 40, email disability@webster.edu, phone 314.246.7700

Closed Caption Television (CCTV)

Two Windows-based computers with the following specialized software installed:

  • Kurzweil 3000: Kurzweil is a comprehensive software package including synthesized reading, OCR, digital annotation, test-taking, and word-processing capabilities. Kurzweil 3000 presents material in either visual or auditory formats. It may be able to help students with visual impairments, learning differences or disabilities, ESL concerns, difficulty reading, or test anxiety.

Zoom Text screen magnification software: Zoom Text is a computer program that magnifies the computer screen and is designed to assist the visually impaired. The software can increase the size of the screen from two to 16 times it's normal size and includes the ability to modify display colors to increase contrast, invert colors (i.e. white letters on a black background), or switch to a grayscale display.

Dragon Naturally Speaking/Dictate: This software allows a patron to create documents by dictation and to operate Windows with a set of vocal commands. The advantage of this software is that it "learns" to understand an individual's voice as he/she speaks naturally. With Dragon Naturally Speaking/Dictate a user can compose documents in Word by vocal commands. 

JAWS (Job Access With Success): This software reads the computer screen to users. It is particularly useful for reading web pages as well as windows and menus that appear on-screen. Headphones are provided so that other library users are not disturbed. 

OpenBook: OPENBook is an optical character recognition (OCR) scanning software used for scanning and reading printed text. Books or papers are placed on the scanner, scanned, and translated into speech. Users "listen" to the scanned text with headphones. The text is also displayed on the monitor and can be considerably enlarged. A yellow cursor movers over each word as the text is "read" into the headset. Because the text is displayed on the screen, it may also improve reading skills. 

Equipment available for check out for use throughout the library

Ask at the Level 1 Circulation Desk.

  • Pebble handheld electronic video magnifier

Assistive Technology Policy

Review Webster University Library's Assistive Technology Policy for additional information.

Accessibility Committee

The Accessibility Committee is a resource within the Webster University system on any academic, physical, or employment issues related to disability and access.  It prioritizes necessary projects requiring capital expenditure to improve accessibility and to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The Committee also hears issues and problems raised by students, faculty, administration, and staff regarding accessibility and services provided to individuals with disabilities.