Library Accessibility Services
The Ryerson Library is committed to providing equal access to services and collections to all students, faculty and staff of the University. Where use of library facilities and/or services are difficult or impossible, the Library will accommodate users with disabilities to examine sources, retrieve materials, and access services.
Please see our Customer Service Policy for more information.
Handouts and library promotional materials can be provided in accessible formats upon request (e-text, Braille, MP3 and large print).
Accessibility Services Librarian
The Accessibility Services Librarian is in charge of assisting persons with disabilities with library services. The Accessibility Services Librarian is also available for in-depth research assistance by appointment.
Contacting the Accessibility Services Librarian
Currently, Diane Michaud is the Accessibility Services Librarian. Her office is located on the third floor of the Library in room LIB 395. If you would like help using the library’s resources please contact the Accessibility Services Librarian at 416-979-5000 extension 4120, or e-mail: dmicha@ryerson.ca
Accessible Formats Service
For more information on getting course content in an accessible format, please see Accessible Format Production.
Tool to help make your own text documents more accessible:
Ryerson Library is proud to provide an online OCR tool that performs optical character recognition (OCR) on documents in an effort to improve their accessibility.
If you have a document that was created by scanning a printed text document, or any text document that has “non-selectable text” (you cannot select the text, then copy and paste it in to a new document) that document is not accessible for users of certain adaptive software such as text-to-speech applications
You can upload an inaccessible document to our online OCR Tool and it will return a document with machine-readable or selectable text, rendering it more accessible.
Physical accessibility in the Library
The Library entrance is on the 2nd floor of the Library building at 350 Victoria Street. Elevators are available at street level and in the Library.
Accessible washrooms are available on floors 4 and 7.
A wheelchair accessible printer is available on the 2nd floor.
There are a few larger computer tables on the 2nd floor that offer priority access to persons in wheelchairs or mobility devices.
Where the library building or facilities restrict access, do not hesitate to ask for assistance.
In Case of Emergency
Emergency telephones are located near the elevators on each floor.
During a fire alarm, if you are unable to evacuate the building please go to an emergency phone and dial 80 to speak to security to let them know your location and situation.
Other Library Accessibility Services
Retrieval of items from the Library’s shelves
Because some of our higher level shelving is not universally accessible, we would be happy to retrieve books for persons in wheelchairs or unable to reach the items with the step stools available on floors 5 through 10.
Please provide a list of call numbers to the staff at the Circulation Desk or the Accessibility Services Librarian. Depending on timing and staff availability, retrieval may be immediate, or take up to 24 hours.
For best results, plan ahead by phoning (416-979-5055, option 2, or 416-979-5000 extension 4120). Or email the Library’s borrower services at access@ryerson.ca or email the Accessibility Services Librarian dmicha@ryerson.ca
Renewal of Books
To renew an item that you currently have on loan, connect to Your Library Account which is accessible from the library home page or from the Library catalogue.
Those who would like to phone or email to renew their loans can do so by calling the Circulation Desk at 416-979-5055. To renew by email please contact dmicha@ryerson.ca.
Extended Loans for Reserve Materials
Short term loans may be extended. Please email dmicha@ryerson.ca or ask at the Circulation/Reserve Desk for more information.
Photocopying
Assistance with photocopying is available for students with mobility impairments. Please contact the Access Centre at 416-979-5290 or the Library at 416-979-5000 extension 4120 or dmicha@ryerson.ca
Adaptive Technology Lab
The Adaptive Technology lab is located on the third floor of the Library. It consists of five computer stations and three private study rooms that are available to Access Centre registrants only.
First time users must first register with the Access Centre or the Accessibility Services Librarian.
Book a Private Study Room
To book the private study rooms, you’ll have to login withyour my.ryerson unsername and password to access the Study Room Booking tool.
Technology available:
- JAWS
- Kurzweil 3000
- Read&Write Gold
- ZoomText Reader/Magnifier
- Inspiration
- Kurzweil 1000
Additional software for the 3 private rooms on the 3rd floor library
- Dragon Naturally Speaking v10
For more information on adaptive technology please contact:
Ann Thomas (annthoma@ryerson.ca) 416-979-5000 extension 7662, or Diane Michaud (dmicha@ryerson.ca) extension 4120
Magnifying Glasses
Magnifiers are available at the library’s check out desk on the second floor.
Student Code of Conduct
The Library and the Access Centre is committed to providing students with a positive learning space. We ask students to join us in this effort by keeping in mind the Library’s Code of Conduct.
Reference and Research Services
The Accessibility Services Librarian is available for in-depth research assistance by appointment. She can advise you on research methods and navigating the Library’s catalogue. She can also assist with locating resources for assignments and projects in accessible formats. Contact Diane Michaud at 979-5000 extension 4120, or e-mail: dmicha@ryerson.ca.
You can also get research guidance via Ask a Librarian. The Ask a Librarian service is provided to assist all library users with their research needs off-site.
We offer research help via email, live chat, online research guides and by phone. Check out Research Help for more information.