Information For Patrons with Disabilities

Our Commitment

The Library recognizes and strives to meet its obligations to users with disabilities as part of its mission "to provide comprehensive resources and services in support of the research, teaching, and learning needs of the University community."


Library Building Access

The University of Chicago Library consists of six campus libraries, all of which are accessible to users with disabilities.

Accessible Entrances and Routes

See the University's emergency evacuation procedures for persons with disabilities for information about emergency procedures.

Restrooms

Each library building provides restrooms accessible to users with disabilities. For more information about library restrooms, including specific locations of restrooms accessible to users with disabilities and single user / family restrooms, see Restrooms.

Service Animals

Service animals assisting users with disabilities are allowed in Library buildings in accordance with University policies for service animals and assistance animals.


Assistive Technology

Workstations

The Library's assistive technology workstations are located near the microform equipment in the 3rd Floor Reading Room of Regenstein Library. Both workstations are equipped with a computer and scanner, as well as Kurzweil 3000 and Freedom Scientific (MAGic, Openbook, JAWS) software. Headphones are required for audio. Get started with quick reference guides for Kurzweil 3000 (PDF) and JAWS (PDF).

A refreshable braille display is available for checkout at the TechBar on the 1st floor of Regenstein.

Enhanced Vision Readers

The library has 3 enhanced vision readers. They are located near the microform equipment in the 3rd Floor Reading Room of the Regenstein Library, in the Print/Copy room on the Lower Level the Crerar Library, and in the 2nd floor Wilson Reading Room of the D'Angelo Law Library.

Assistive Listening Devices

Assistive listening devices are available from IT Services.

Self-service Document Conversion

The University has a license to SensusAccess, a self-service document conversion site. SensusAccess allows students, faculty, staff and alumni to automatically convert documents into a range of alternate media including audio books (MP3 and DAISY), e-books (EPUB, EPUB3 and Mobi) and digital Braille. The service can also be used to convert inaccessible documents such as image-only PDF files, JPG pictures and Microsoft PowerPoint presentations into more accessible formats.


Paging / Bookstacks Assistance

The Library offers paging / bookstacks assistance to users with disabilities. To request assistance, go to the Circulation Desk of the particular library where the item is located.

Library staff will page materials for users and can often retrieve the material immediately. Users who wish to browse collections may also request staff to accompany them to retrieve items from the shelves. Depending on staffing levels and volume of requests, it may not always be possible to fulfill requests immediately, but we will work to do so as quickly as feasible.


Ask a Librarian/Reference Services

If you need help with a research project, or have questions about the University of Chicago Library, our librarians are available to assist you.

E-mail


Accommodations for Library Services

Disability accommodations for Students

Alternative Text Requests

For students receiving disability accommodations that include the provision of alternative text, you may use an online form for requests:

Contacts by Campus Library / Subject Area

Help With Assistive Technologies

  • Andrea Twiss-Brooks, Director, Humanities and Area Studies
    The Joseph Regenstein Library
    (773) 702-8777 -- atbrooks@uchicago.edu

Additional Assistance

If you have additional questions or concerns about the Library's disability accommodations, please contact:

  • Andrea Twiss-Brooks, Director, Humanities and Area Studies
    The Joseph Regenstein Library
    (773) 702-8777 -- atbrooks@uchicago.edu