The University of Ottawa Library is committed to providing inclusive and accessible spaces and services for everyone.

accessibility

Accessible library materials

Many of our books and journals are available in electronic format and are available by searching the library catalogue. We can also facilitate access to restricted accessible book collections for students with print disabilities through a variety of sources. These are available in various formats including PDF, DAISY text files, ePub and audio MP3.

  • ACE (Accessible Content E-Portal) A repository containing library holdings which have been digitized and made available in accessible formats. You will need a unique token (password) to use the ACE repository. Please contact [email protected] to get a token. Students must register first with Academic Accommodations.

  • Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) An accessible reading service, providing books and other materials to Canadians with print disabilities. Registration with CELA also gives you access to Bookshare, a US-based accessible online library for people with print disabilities with over 700,000 titles. You must have a public library card to create your own personal account. The library can also acquire titles needed on behalf of students.

  • Textbooks must sometimes be purchased by the student in order to obtain accessible versions from publishers. If the book is available in the Library you may not be required to purchase it.

The Library uses the definition of a print disability or a “perceptual disability” as defined under the Canadian Copyright Act:

… a disability that prevents or inhibits a person from reading or hearing a literary, musical, dramatic or artistic work in its original format, and includes such a disability resulting from;

  • severe or total impairment of sight or hearing or the inability to focus or move one’s eyes
  • the inability to hold or manipulate a book, or 
  • an impairment relating to comprehension. 

Assistive technology

Assistive technology software is available in different library locations on campus. 

To be given access to book an assistive workstation, please send an email to [email protected]Once you are granted access, choose the "adaptive " option in the drop-down menu at the top of the page (change from Default) in the study room booking system

All of the library computers can access the Internet and have Microsoft Office installed. Our assistive technology computers also come with:

  • Jaws (screen reader)
  • Kurzweil 1000 & 3000
  • ZoomText (screen magnifier)
  • Dragon Naturally Speaking
  • Room 116
  • Room 117
  • Workstation located in FTX 408 in the hallway outside the library
  • Workstation adjacent to service desk (borrow or bring headphones)
  • A self-serve book scanner is available at the Morisset Library, 1st floor, room 142.
  • Scanning to e-mail or USB is free of charge on photocopy machines at each library.
  • An Optelec video magnifier on a height-adjustable table is available at the Morisset Library on the first floor outside of MRT 117 and at the Health Sciences Library.  It can be used to enlarge text and pictures, and even change the colour of the text and/or background to make it easier to read (i.e. change the black on white to white on black).

Library accessibility plan 2019-2024

Read the Library's 2019-2024 Accessibility Plan (PDF, 152KB).

Home delivery service

The home delivery service is free and is available for most print items in our collection. This service is offered to faculty, students, post-doctoral fellows, affiliated researchers, staff, and alumni. While home delivery is generally only available within Canada but outside the Ottawa - Gatineau region.  Requests for home delivery within Ottawa-Gatineau due to disability and/or illness will be accommodated.

Need help?

The library is committed to providing all University of Ottawa students, faculty and staff equal access to its services and resources, with respect and dignity. If you have any questions or comments about library accessibility services, please contact [email protected].

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