There are ten Assistive Technology (AT) rooms spread across the six King's library sites.
Each room is equipped with ergonomic workstations with adjustable desks and chairs, a scanner and a printer. You will need to bring your own Dragon headset - contact disability@kcl.ac.uk if you do not have a headset of your own to discuss options.
Software on each PC in an AT room
- Dragon Naturally Speaking Professional
- JAWS
- Abbyy Fine Reader
- Zoom Text
- Inspiration
- Text Help Read and Write Gold
AT rooms are bookable by registered users only. To register, contact Disability Support by email disability@kcl.ac.uk
For more information about these packages see Assistive Software information on the Disability Support webpages.
AT room locations and access
Each AT room is marked AT on the floor plans linked below:
At Franklin-Wilkins Library you can use your King’s ID card to touch-in and out of the AT rooms during library opening hours. At the other libraries AT rooms should be open - check with staff if this is not the case.
A booking is required for all trips to the Library to support safe distancing. You must ensure you have a booking before you visit to use an AT room.
How to book a room
- Once registered as an AT room user you will be provided with links to allow you to book your sessions.
- Rooms are bookable during our staffed opening hours, Monday - Friday 09.00 - 19.00, Saturday and Sunday 10.00 - 18.00.
- Rooms are available for one hour slots (with a maximum of three hours per day).
- If you are struggling to book please contact the Library via LibAnswers, our live chat service.
If you prefer, you can email library@kcl.ac.uk - We aim to respond to emails within one working day and to resolve all queries within five working days.
- Each AT room is only available to a single user each day to meet Safe @ King's Covid requirements. You should wipe your space and any equipment before you start and before you finish for the day. If you would normally bring a helper please contact disability@kcl.ac.uk to discuss.
- Please do not leave valuables unattended in the AT rooms.
- Library staff will be present to guide you to the AT rooms.
SensusAccess
SensusAccess is a self-service option for accessible formats. It allows you to convert documents that would normally be inaccessible. These include image-only PDF files, scanned documents, pictures of text and Microsoft PowerPoint presentations.
Documents can be converted into a range of alternate formats, including:
- Digital Braille
- MP3
- DAISY structured audio books
- E-books
Conditions of use
You can make an accessible copy if you own the copyright (eg. it's your own work), have permission from the copyright holder, if the copyright has expired, or if it's for someone with a disability preventing or impeding access to printed material. If so, you need to agree that:
More information can be found on the King’s copyright pages. You can also contact copyright@kcl.ac.uk for advice.
SensusAccess is available to all King’s College London students, staff and alumni who have a King’s email address (i.e. …@kcl.ac.uk).
Help
SensusAccess provide useful Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), videos and guides.
Alternatively, please email library@kcl.ac.uk. If you are unable to use SensusAccess but would benefit from material in accessible formats, please contact the Disability Service.
Using SensusAccess to convert a file
(If the box below is blank, you will need change your cookie preferences - click on the blue and white cookie icon on the bottom left of the screen to make changes and then refresh this page to view the SensusAccess file convertor)
A range of equipment and ergonomic aids are available to help you with your studies.
Adjustable workspaces
Accessible workspaces are available in most libraries. These are designed to provide more flexible space for users with disabilities. All are equipped with height-adjustable desks and fully adjustable chairs and are labelled priority access for those who require the adjustable facilities.
Ergonomic equipment
The following are available in the libraries:
- Document holders which fit between the keyboard and screen
- Writing slopes which improve posture when reading and writing: Two sizes are available: mini and standard
- Trolleys to help move books around the libraries
Video magnifiers or CCTVs
These machines allow you to:
- vary magnification levels, to get very high levels of magnification
- get a comfortable reading distance
- vary reading distance
- get a large field of view
Locations of video magnifiers
CCTVs are available in the following libraries:
- Archives and Research Services, Strand campus
- The Maughan Library: Room G.41 (Topaz magnifiers and Aladdin Rainbow readers) and the Foyle Special Collections Library
- New Hunt's House Library, Guy's campus
- St Thomas' House Library, St Thomas' campus
- Weston Education Centre Library, Denmark Hill
Induction Loop
Library desks are fitted with an induction loop system, which can be identified by the induction loop logo sticker.
Further equipment may be available for training and seminar rooms: please contact library staff for further information.
Deaf Alerter
Due to the size of the building, the Maughan Library has a dedicated fire alarm warning and message system for the deaf and hard of hearing. Users wear the alerter clipped to clothing, or in a pocket. If the fire alarm is triggered, the alerter vibrates, flashes and displays a message. There are three alerters for the library and each is provided with easy-to-use written instructions.
If you would like to use one, when you are studying in the building, please contact the security staff at the library entrance. Alternatively, if you would like to book an alerter in advance, please contact Nigel Baker (nigel.baker@kcl.ac.uk).
Assistive software
The following assistive technology tools can be accessed from Student Computing Rooms across all campuses, for all users:
- Inspiration 9
- TextHelp Read and Write 12
- Abbyy Fine Reader 14
For registered users only, the following additional assistive technology software is available in the Assistive Technology Rooms (ATRs) spread across the King's library sites:
- Dragon Professional 15
- Jaws 18
- Zoom Text 11
Assistive software support
For disability support and assistive software support on the following applications, please contact disability@kcl.ac.uk
Supported Assistive Applications
- Dragon 15
- Texthelp Read & Write
- Inspiration
- Abbyy Fine Reader
- JAWS
- Zoom Text
- Microsoft Dictate
- Mac Dictation
- Claro Read
- Audio Notetaker
- MS Teams
- Digital editions
Free productivity tools
An increasingly large number of apps are available: some free, some freemium (basic services are free, but more advanced features must be paid for) and some only available for payment. This is a dynamic market and it is not possible to provide an exhaustive list of the options available nor to guarantee that an app will continue to be available and compatible with all devices. What follows is therefore some general advice about downloading software and some sources of information which you can explore to find apps that suit your needs.
Downloading Software: Some Advice
Here are a few handy tips to ensure that you download only the products you want:
- Always download from the software designer’s own web site or from their recommended download site.
- Read the Licence carefully to ensure that it does not contain any unexpected conditions.
- Read the installation or set-up wizard carefully and uncheck boxes which might permit additional unwanted toolbars or additional programs (including browser hijackers or malware) to be installed.
- Check the software provider’s data protection policy and beware of any attempt to collect your personal data.
- Check the copyright provisions. Do not copy or distribute anything which is protected by copyright.
Sources of information:
- DnA Resources – a wealth of reviews and guides which you can filter according to your interests or your operating system. DnA is short for ‘Diversity and Ability’ and is a social enterprise.
- EduApps – offers a range of Windows toolbars and apps available for free download, but note that these were last evaluated in 2011. Whilst many are still supported and useful, you will need to check that any you wish to use will work with your operating system.
- FreeSMUG – free open source software for Macs, including OS X portable applications (but NB: these are no longer supported).
- Access Tools – free accessibility software (Windows-based) for USB flash drives.
Book fetching service
If you are registered with Disability Support, we can collect items from the shelves in your home library for you. All you need to do is request them from Library Search.
- When the item is available for you or your support worker to collect, you will be notified by email
- Items are held in the collection area for one week
- You can check the list of items you have requested in your account on Library Search
- This does not apply to 24 hour loan or reference only items.
Inter-site book requests
If you are registered with Disability Support, we can transfer items available at another site to your home library for you. All you need to do is request them from Library Search.
Inter-site books are supplied under the following conditions:
- We aim to have the items ready for you to collect within 5 working days and you will receive an email when the item is ready
- We aim to notify you after 3 days if there are problems locating the item you have requested
- Questions relating to this service can be dealt with by Library staff via LibChat or email
- Once you have requested an item, you can only change the collection site before the item goes into transit or arrives at the site: if you need to change it whilst the book is being sent for collection, please ask library staff to do this for you
- There are limits on how many total requests can be made by you at any one time. These are the same limits as for reserving books
Inter library loans
All College staff and students, as well as staff from affiliated NHS trusts, may make requests for books, chapters or journal articles. Material available at King's cannot be requested through this service. Before making a request, please check Library Search to make sure that the item you require is not already available at King's or at Senate House Library. For further information and a link to our Interlibrary Loan request form, please see our Interlibrary Lending FAQ page.
Extended loan period
Any disabled student who has recorded a disability on their student record will receive extended library loans (1 week loan extended to 2 weeks).
Printing and Photocopying receipts
You can use the Multi-Function Devices in the libraries or student computer rooms to Print or Copy and can see and download your transactions in PDF, HTML or CSV format by logging in to your print account, clicking on 'transaction history' on the left hand menu and then choosing your export format underneath your transaction history table.
If you use the online print credit payment, you will receive an email confirmation of your payment.
Academic Support Workers
If you have an Academic Support Worker to assist you, we can arrange access to the Libraries for them.
How to get access for your Academic Support Worker:
- Access can be arranged directly from the Disability Support Service who will request Estates and Facilities to obtain a King's ID card
- Please contact the Library in order for us to create a library record for your support worker
- Your support worker will have a separate ID and PIN so they will then be able to return, borrow and reserve books on your behalf
- To comply with Data Protection, they will not have access to any details on your record, including books you have borrowed yourself
- When a reserved book is ready for collection an email notice will be sent to you, so you can arrange for your support worker to come in and collect the item