Support for clients with disabilities

Our commitment to equity

We will do whatever we can to assist you in having equitable access to resources and services available through the Library. We encourage you to contact our staff (below, on this page) if you need assistance or advice. 

Start with UQ Student Services

UQ Student Services coordinates support for students with disabilities at the university. Contact a Disability Adviser at Student Services to discuss your situation and activate UQ and Library support services.

Access to Library resources

We purchase and subscribe to online resources such as databases and eBooks in preference to print materials. While these materials are generally convenient to access, we are aware that some of these products are not accessible to everyone.

Contact your Librarian for assistance on difficult-to-use resources.

Borrowing, book retrieval, photocopying, and printing

UQ Student Services may provide a participation assistant to help with borrowing Library materials. If you do not have a participation assistant, speak to staff in your Library for help retrieving items from the shelf or for photocopying or printing assistance. 

We appreciate these requests in advance as staff time is limited.

Using eBooks

Visit our Using eBooks page for ways to make eBooks more accessible and easier to read. Find out more about accessible formats and ways to enlarge text or have the content read aloud.

Scanning and accessible formats for clients with a print disability

We provide resources in accessible formats for your research or study.

• Students must be registered with Students Services
• Submit your requests as far ahead as possible, scanning can take 5 – 10 working days

Print item scanning

We scan print items, such as books and articles, into an accessible format where there is no suitable electronic version.

Request a print item scan

HathiTrust eBooks

We can provide eBooks from the HathiTrust Digital Library, offering a collection of millions of digitised titles.

Request HathiTrust eBook

Open resources

• Internet Archive Ebooks and Texts - Access over 15 million freely downloadable books and texts. Many are offered in a choice of formats, including EPUB and DAISY. More about  Ebooks and Texts from Internet Archive.
• Librivox Free Audiobook Collection - Librivox offers free audiobooks read aloud by volunteers. Books can be listened to or freely downloaded in a range of formats. More about Librivox Audiobooks
• CORE - Access to over 135 million open-access research papers (mostly PDF format) through a simple search. About CORE.

Our facilities

• are wheelchair accessible
• include lifts
• include height adjustable desks
• Library computers have the Dyslexie font installed (select it in applications like MS Word or your web browser)

View floor plans for accessible features of our Library locations.

Assistive technology rooms

Assistive technology rooms contain special software and equipment and are available to students authorised by their Disability Adviser.

• Located on Level 1, Central Library (Building #12)
• Book an assistive technology room
• Review assistive room facilities

Lockers

You may request a locker in the Library each semester. Contact Student Services for details.

24/7 spaces

Some of our locations are open 24-hours/7-days during semester study periods. The spaces are monitored by UQ security but are unstaffed during out-of-hours periods:

• make sure you have your UQ Student ID card with you
• always protect your belongings and take them with you
• add UQ security as a phone contact. Contact UQ security if you require assistance

Safety during an evacuation

• your Disability Adviser from Student Services can organise an evacuation walk-through of your 24-hour location
• 24-hour facilities have refuge areas inside Fire stairwells with emergency red phones that connect directly to UQ security
• make yourself known to a UQ security guard or Library staff if you need help during an evacuation

We value your feedback on our locations and facilities.

Participate in client experience sessions

We regularly seek feedback about the accessibility of our web services. Sign up to participate in a client feedback session if you would like to be involved.

Library contacts

Contact our staff for a consultation or for questions on finding and accessing Library resources.

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