Library Accessibility: Neurodiverse User's Guide

Includes:

• Autism
• ADHD
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Dyslexia, Dyscalclia, Dyspraxia
• Auditory processing disorder, visual processing disorder

On a desktop or laptop computer: 

• Use Firefox
• Colors and font
• Reduce distractions
• Add a Reading Ruler
• Search within a page using Ctrl F and type the text you're looking for

On a phone, tablet, or other mobile device: 

• Android accessibility features (phone and tablet)
• iPhone and iPad accessibility features

Start early and chunk your tasks

Here are some tools to help:

• Research Skills Tutorial - step by step from coming up with a research topic to citing your sources
• Assignment Calculator - helps you create a timeline of tasks to complete and duedates for each task 
• Ask A Librarian - we can help you organize your thoughts, as well as provide research advice
• Writing Center - tutorials and tips, and someone to review your paper with constructive advice
• Learning Support - webinars and tutoring services

Reminder tools:

• Sticky Notes for Firefox
• Checkli (requires a free account) - create online checklists

Use a Citation Manager

Front-loading the effort of organizing your sources and notes will help when it is time to write. 

Citation managers are free apps that work with your browser and either MS Word or Open Office (NOT Office 365.)

Citation managers save your data to the cloud so that you can access it from multiple devices - to search what you have, add more, take notes, or add citations to your paper.

Advanced Search may actually be easier

Trouble typing in a long search over and over? Try Advanced Search, because it lets you re-run saved searches, and modify them. 

Library Anxiety is common, and we don't mind

If you feel anxious about using the library or talking to a librarian, you're not alone. But...

• Embarrassed about your question? We've heard it all, and also we're completely confidential.
• Overloaded? Tell us you don't know what to do next and we can help you figure it out. 
• Don't know what question to ask? Tell us that and we can talk you through it.
• Worried that you might find out your problem is worse than you thought? Come to us as soon as you think of it. We will start where you are and get you to where you need to be.
• Trouble speaking, reading, or writing? We have multiple options.

Communication Options

• Email - good for questions the librarian will have to do some research to answer. Bad for speed. If your initial question doesn't have enough detail, the librarian will have to ask for more before they can answer.
• Chat - good for any kind of question. Bad if you have trouble reading/writing. Answered right away 24/7.
• Phone - good if you have trouble reading or writing. Bad if you have trouble speaking or hearing. Also bad if we might want to share links. 
• Microsoft Teams - Use email or chat to arrange a time to do this. Good for sharing screens or (optionally) seeing faces. Bad because it has to be set up in advance.

Access any reference contact options at Ask A Librarian.

Tips for starting a reference question

Have ready:

• Your device, with internet
• A way of taking notes
• Your project
• Your course/learning contract 
• A browser window open to the library (https://www.sunyempire.edu/library)

@Home Library Workshops

• webinars
• weekday evenings
• active participation required
• solo alternative that you take on your own time are available

Access the @Home Library Workshops here