Patrons with Disabilities
Service Overview
OU Libraries is committed to providing equal access to information for all faculty, staff, students, and members of the OU community. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and in collaboration with university policies and the OU Accessibility and Disability Resource Center, library faculty and staff will make good faith efforts to accommodate reasonable requests for assistance in obtaining, accessing, and making use of library resources, materials, and services.
What We Offer
OU Libraries offers many services for patrons with disabilities. If you have special needs, please contact the library in advance to arrange accommodations.
- Book and article retrieval and delivery
- Disability parking spaces
- Proxy cards
- Wheelchair accessible entrances
What Is Available
Book and Article Retrieval
- OU Libraries will retrieve books and print journal articles from the stacks for patrons who use a wheelchair or are on crutches.
- OU Libraries will also retrieve books for patrons to be picked up at a later time.
Proxy Cards
Certain borrowers may designate another person or persons as their proxy, who may check out library materials in their name. A faculty member or administrator may designate a student assistant as a proxy; a faculty member or administrator may request a proxy authorization for a spouse or child, or a disabled student or staff member may have a helper designated by Disability Services as a proxy. Visit the Check Out Materials Through Proxy Policy page for more information and learn how to apply.
Sooner XPress
Sooner Xpress is the University of Oklahoma Campus document delivery service for faculty, staff and students. Sooner Xpress provides digitized copies of journal articles, digitized copies of book chapters, and books from the OU Libraries' collection to faculty, staff, and students for their personal research. Visit the Request Materials/Delivery page to learn more information.
Software and Hardware
The Loveridge Computer Lab features a dedicated assistive technology workstation. This Windows PC is equipped with the Freedom Scientific Suite, a specialized software bundle that includes:
- JAWS (Job Access With Speech): A screen reader for blind or visually impaired users.
- ZoomText: A screen magnification and visual enhancement program for low-vision users.
- Fusion: An integrated application that provides the full features of both JAWS and ZoomText.
In addition to these specialized tools, the workstation is equipped with all the standard software found on other lab PCs. For a complete list of software available in the lab, please visit our Software on Lab Computers page.
Additional assistive technologies, including software and hardware, are available on campus. For more information or specialized requests, please contact the OU Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC).
Facilities
OU Libraries branches have wheelchair-accessible entrances. The pages below provide contact information for each branch:
- Bizzell Memorial Library Contact Info and Floor Map
- Fine Arts Library Contact Info
- Youngblood Energy (Geology) Library Contact Info
Parking
There are several parking lots on campus that provide disability parking. Students who need to park in these designated spaces should display both their OU Parking Permit and a state-issued handicap permit. Vehicles must be parked in a lot designated for the specific permit, i.e. commuter parking, faculty/staff, housing, etc.
Visitors need to display both a visitors parking permit and a state-issued handicap permit. Vehicles must be parked in locations designated specifically for visitor parking.
For more information and parking map, visit the OU Parking Services page.
Contact Information
OU Libraries
FAQ
If you are experiencing accessibility issues with OU Libraries' digital resources, you can report them by emailing us at libaccessibility@ou.edu or by filling out the Report a Digital Accessibility Problem form online.
For more information, patrons can contact the OU Visitor’s Center.