Accessibility Suite
How to find it
The suite is located on the 6th floor, next to the lift.
Facilities
The suite has two electronically height adjustable tables with orthopaedic chairs, large-screen workstations and scanners.
Assistive Technology
In addition to the regular software that all computers in the Library have installed, the computers in the Accessibility Suite have the following accessibility software available for use:
- ClaroRead text to speech software
- TextHelp Read & Write
- MindView mind mapping software
- Dragon Naturally Speaking dictation software
Who can use the Suite?
The Suite is only for students who require the use of specialist assistive software, such as Dragon Naturally Speaking dictation software; for wheelchair users, or for those who work with an assistant with whom they need to speak. If you need to use this facility please ask your Disability Support Officer to request booking rights for the room from our Disability Support Team (shl.accessibilitysupport@london.ac.uk).
The door is operated with your Senate House Library card. Your card will grant you access to the room once the necessary booking rights are in place.
Booking the room
The Accessibility Suite may be booked for one session per day, morning or afternoon. To book it, please use the online booking form. Once you have requested a booking, a member of Library staff will check whether you are registered for the suite, and approve the booking if possible. Alternatively, please contact the Library by email, or telephone 0207 862 8440, or ask at the Library Service Desk to make a booking.
Help and assistance
If you need help using the software please contact the Library by email, telephone 0207 862 8460, or visit the Service Desk on the 4th floor.
Please note
- Eating and drinking (apart from bottled water) is prohibited in the suite.
- Personal belongings left unattended will be removed from this suite and kept safe by Library staff.
- You should communicate any enquiries or requests to other users of the room with consideration and respect, and treat others as you would expect to be treated.
If there are conflicts over the use of the room you should ask the Library Service Desk staff to resolve the problem.
Mindview 6
MindView is a professional mind mapping software that allows you to visually brainstorm, organize and present ideas:
- Brainstorm your project plan in a mind map
- Export to Word and PowerPoint
- Apply task information and resources
- Built-in gantt chart and project timeline
- Integration to Microsoft Project
- Export and synchronize tasks with Outlook
- More details are available via this video over at YouTube.
Screen Readers
TextHelp Read&Write
From reading on-screen text aloud to researching and checking written work, Read&Write makes many everyday tasks easier:
- Hear web pages and documents read aloud to improve reading comprehension, with choice of natural voices
- Understand unfamiliar words with text and picture dictionaries
- Develop writing skills with word prediction
- Support independent student research with valuable study skills tools
Watch TextHelp videos [via YouTube].
TextHelp Quick Reference [PDF, 311KB]
Read and Write Quick Reference Guide [PDF, 218KB]
ClaroRead Pro
ClaroRead is a text to speech screen reader software, to assist with reading and writing. It includes the following features:
- The ability to read out loud on-screen text, including pdfs and word documents, or read aloud even as you type.
- Visual tools to colour, highlight, and focus on text as it is spoken.
- Converts scanned books and documents to text which can be saved to word or audio files.
- Enhanced homophone and spell check, with a thesaurus and speaking dictionary.
- Predictive text to help with writing.
- Tools to help you collect and organise your research materials.
For more information on how to use ClaroRead, please watch the ClaroRead video guides [via YouTube]
Dragon Pro
Dragon enables fast, accurate dictation and transcription with the right level of customisation. Create, edit and format documents by voice – quickly and accurately.
Watch the Dragon Pro instructional video [via YouTube]
Dragon Quick Start Guide [PDF, 950KB]
Accessibility Suite in Senate House Library