Disability

Location

There are two assistive technology computer zones:

1. The Quad the study-space nearest to the Swanston Street entrance with two computers and headphones.

2. The Redmond Barry Reading Room, near the Ask a Librarian desk with one computer and headphones.

Each of these zones have an A3 printout of keyboard commands for key features on available assistive technology software installed on the computers. Continue reading for a summary of each program. A table of further resources appears at the end.

Read and Write   

Assists with reading or manipulating text.

Available on all 3 assistive technology computers.

Learn more about the Read and Write toolbar.

Zoom Text 

Allows users with low vision to magnify, hear and use everything on installed device.

Available on all 3 assistive technology computers.

Learn more about ZoomText on their FAQ or Help Centre. 

NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access)

This is a free and open-source, portable screen-reader for Microsoft Windows created by NV Access.

Available on all 3 assistive technology computers.

Learn more about  NVDA on their website, or their help pages.

See NVDA keyboard commands for key functions

Pearl Reader

Pearl is a printed text scanner reader. The unit has a camera and headphones.

It sits on the left, next to computer #3 in the Redmond Barry reading room and computer #1 in the Information Centre.

Learn how to use the Peal Reader and scanner.

See Pearl Reader/Open Book keyboard commands for key functions.

FS Reader

Designed to read DAISY format books i.e., audio only, text only or full-text and full-audio.

Available on all 3 assistive technology computers.

Learn how to use FS Reader.

See FS Reader keyboard commands for key functions.

JAWS

Job Access With Speech (JAWS) is a voice synthesiser that reads the screen to you. 

Available on all 3 assistive technology computers.

Learn how to use JAWS.

Fusion

Use Fusion to access both ZoomText® and JAWS® programs and magnified view simultaneously.

Available on all 3 assistive technology computers.

Learn how to use Fusion. 

See Fusion keyboard commands for key functions.

Dragon Dictation Software

Dragon is a 'word to text' speech recognition software which requires headphones.

It is available on Assistive Tech computer number 2 in the Quad. This computer has headphones and a mic available.

See Dragon keyboard commands for key functions. 

See quick start guide for a tutorial on how to use Dragon, created by Phizz Telford, Digital Resources Graduate Librarian.

How to find medical information

a guide to medical and health resources at the Library

School and education history in Victoria

a guide to help research into education in Victoria

Photograph of the Information Centre

Photograph of the Pearl reader and an assistive technology computer

Photograph of the Redmond Barry Reading Room