Library Accessibility Service
The Library Accessibility Service is here to support you with making your learning and research resources accessible if you are visually, physically or learning disabled.
This service can support you with:
- using the library building and spaces in ways that are accessible to you
- acquiring more accessible copies of printed or electronic books and resources, and
- using technology to make studying more accessible.
We do this by providing:
- a flexible range of library study spaces with different kinds of lighting and sound profiles
- an Accessibility Trolley in our York Campus Library to support any student-s sensory needs
- accessible document services including RNIB Bookshare, document scanning, and file conversion tools
- support on making the most of accessibility tools in our library ebooks, journals, and research tools, and
- specialist support with using assistive technology.
Using the Library Accessibility Service
Step 1: Register for the Library Accessibility Service
If you have registered with the University-s Disability Support and Inclusion team, then registering for the Library Accessibility Service forms part of setting up your Learner Adjustment Plan, so you do not need to do anything else.
If you have not registered with the Disability Support and Inclusion team yet, you need to complete a registration form for the Library Accessibility Service. You will need to be able to declare one or more visual, physical or learning disabilities to us. You do not need to provide evidence. We will share your registration with the Disability Support and Inclusion team so they can register you for wider University services.
Register for Library Accessibility Service
Step 2: Receive your welcome email
You will receive a welcome email from the Library Accessibility Service which introduces you to key information. This includes:
- information about being able to borrow up to 35 items at a time (see Further information on borrowing, renewals and fines)
- information about RNIB Bookshare Service for accessing accessible versions of books
- a referral to your Academic Liaison Librarian (to discuss your needs and specific options available to you), and, if appropriate, to our Assistive Technology Advisers.
These staff members are here to help and support you with resource accessibility during your time at York St John University.
Step 3: Explore available services and resources
Many resources available to you, either on your Reading Lists or ones you find during your studies, may already be accessible to you in their current format. Our Technology and reading guide has information about getting the most out of accessibility and reading tools.
If a resource is not accessible to you in its current format, you have 3 options available to you:
RNIB Bookshare
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Bookshare is a website where you can search for, and download, books in more accessible formats, including PDF, Word, MP3 and DAISY audio files, and EPUB. An account is free and you can sign up when you register for our Library Accessibility Service or by using the RNIB Bookshare Account form.
Read more about how to use RNIB Bookshare.
Chapter scanning or tactile copy request
If a book is not available on RNIB Bookshare, you can request a chapter to be scanned. You can request a chapter of a book or, if you do not know which chapter or chapters you need, you can request a contents page to help you decide. You can also request a tactile copy of a resource.
Convert a file
If you have a file that you need to convert into a more accessible format; such as converting PDFs into ebook, text, audio or braille files; you can use the self-service SensusAccess tool.
Explore more of Library Accessibility Service
Read more about the Library Accessibility Service on the Library's website.