Disability

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty you may be entitled to extra support and concessions when using the Drill Hall’s facilities. Please contact your institution's disability officer to arrange an assessment if you have not already had one.

University of Kent

University of Greenwich

Canterbury Christ Church University

Inductions, tours and one-to-one help

Help accessing library resources is always available for groups or individuals – contact the Drill Hall disability team to discuss your requirements.

If you would like an individual induction to the library or need any help or advice about how we can help you with your studies, please email the disability team.

Personal assistants, support workers and carers

Users with specific requirements can request an additional card to provide access for a named person to borrow library material on their behalf.

Subject support

Whatever your subject, a librarian will be happy to answer any subject-related questions. To find out who your subject librarian is take a look at our subject pages.

For help with study support and advice about financial assistance contact the disability officer for your institution.

Other helpful sources of information

• AbilityNet – a free information service about computers and technology for disabled people.
• British Dyslexia Association – developing services that meet the needs of dyslexic people.
• Directgov – UK Government web resource providing information on disability related legislation and the rights of disabled people.
• Royal National Institute for the Blind – information about blindness and visual impairments, designing accessible environments and assistive technologies.
• Action on Hearing Loss (formerly the RNID) – provides hearing impairment-related news, information, services and support.
• Skill – a national charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of impairment in post-16 education, training and employment.

All library staff will be happy to offer whatever assistance you require when you are in the library. Please ask any member of staff for help.

Access to building and facilities

The main entrance to the building is through the automatic doors at the main entrance adjacent to the car park. Comprehensive accessibility information is available on the DisabledGo website.

Alternative formats

Many Drill Hall guides are available in alternative formats. Please contact the disability team to discuss your requirements.

Borrowing

Users with disabilities are entitled to some extended borrowing rights if the disability support officer for their institution has recommended this.

You can renew loans using your student ID card, on the library catalogue or by telephone on 01634 883278.

Floor plan

There are three main zones in the library. To the right of the main entrance is the Green Group Study Zone. To the left is the Yellow Quiet Zone and beyond this, at the far end of the building, is the Red Silent Zone.

Height-adjustable desks

Electric and manually height-adjustable computer and study desks are available in all three zones and in room DA002, which is in the Pilkington end of the building.

Lifts

Lifts provide access to the mezzanine study levels and teaching rooms in the Red and Green zones. Please ask reception for a lift pass or contact the disability team, who can arrange a permanent pass for you.

Parking

If you are a blue badge holder contact the disability team or your university disability officer to arrange access to the Drill Hall car park.

Photocopying and printing

Photocopying cards are available from the welcome desk.

Photocopiers can be used to enlarge text and a range of coloured paper is available (ask a member of our reception staff if you need coloured paper).

Our welcome desk staff can issue you a receipt for your photocopying and printing charges so that you can reclaim the cost – your institution disability officer will be able to help you with this. You will need to request a receipt at the time of printing or photocopying.

Quiet times and silent study areas

The silent study area is located at the far end of the building (to your left as you come in) in the Red Zone.

In term time, we are particularly busy from 11.00am to 1.00pm and are generally quieter in the evenings and at weekends.

Retrieval of items

Any member of library staff can help you get items from the shelves. You can also request up to five items at any one time to be sent to the library site of your choice. This usually takes 48 hours. The items will be held for up to one week for you to collect.

Toilets

Accessible toilets are located in the Yellow Zone.

Wireless network

A wireless network is available in the Drill Hall and can be accessed from your own laptop. Guidance on how to do this is available from the IT helpdesk or the wireless page on our website.

Monitors

All of our monitors have flat screens to reduce the effects of flickering – there is a mix of 19-inch standard and 22-inch widescreen monitors. In addition we have two PCs with slightly larger 24-inch monitors (located in the Green and Yellow zones), which are both on height-adjustable desks. All PCs have the Microsoft Accessibility Wizard available from the Start menu.

If you would like to reserve a study desk with assistive technology please contact the disability team.

JAWS screen-reading software

JAWS for Windows is aimed at visually impaired students and will read information directly from the screen via the computer’s sound card. A number of packages are supported, including Microsoft Office 2007 and Internet Explorer. JAWs for Windows is available on two PCs, one is located in the Yellow Zone and the other in the Green Zone.

Find out more about JAWS.

Literacy support software

Read&Write GOLD is designed to assist students with dyslexia. It offers speech feedback, spell checking and word prediction support for packages including Microsoft Office 2007, Internet Explorer and PDF documents.

Find out more about Read&Write GOLD.

Read&Write GOLD is available on all PCs and can be run from the Start menu, Programs, Read&Write 9.

A CCTV machine for enlarging text is available in the Yellow Zone (to your left as you enter the building).

Scanning

Our scanners are located in the Yellow Zone by the Help Point and in the Green Zone. A height-adjustable desk is available for scanning in the Green Zone.

If you have mobility, hearing or visual difficulties please report to the reception desk on arrival so that we can best advise you of the procedures.

Always make sure you are aware of the nearest evacuation route from where you are working.

When the fire alarm sounds magnetic door holders throughout the building release, automatically closing doors. If you are working on the mezzanine levels or the teaching rooms to the rear of the library, make your way to the nearest exit or marked Refuge Point and await assistance from a member of staff or the Fire Brigade.

If a member of library staff has not reassured you that assistance is being sought, use the emergency call point and ask passers-by to make sure that library staff are aware of your location. Do not use the lifts.