Library disability and dyslexia service

The Library's accessible study spaces are based on level one and have adjustable furniture and lighting, as well as desktop computers and printers. The spaces are available during the Library opening hours.

• The Accessibility Centre has 10 study spaces. This is a shared room and does not require booking. Various coloured paper choices are available for printing in the Accessibility Centre.
• Study Support Rooms A, B, and C are bookable rooms for solo study, or working with an assistant/tutor. The dictation software Dragon is available to use in these rooms. Rooms can be used for a maximum of three hours per day. Book the room via MyPC. Please note you need to log on to the PC in your booked room within 15 minutes of the start of your booked session to retain your booking.

Additionally, the Silent Study Area on level two of the Library is available for anyone requiring an exclusively silent study environment. Comfortable chairs are available as well as sitting and standing desks and carrels. Desktop computers with assistive technology are available, as well as docking stations for laptop use.

The Wellbeing Corner, located within the Silent Study area, is available for quiet reflection. Leaflets, a select book collection and sensory toys are available for you to use.

We have a supply of ergonomic equipment, cushions, dyslexia rulers, and noise-cancelling headphones to use whilst you are in the Library. Items are stored at the ground floor information desk and can be borrowed from there.

Our full equipment list:

LDDS Cupboard Equipment List.

Please contact the LDDS Team if you have any queries about available equipment.

If you use a Windows or Apple device, then you already have access to a range of built-in assistive software that can help with things like hearing what’s on screen read aloud and dictating.

For more information, visit the Windows Accessibility Tool for Microsoft 365 or Apple Accessibility Support websites, or contact us.

• The following specialist software is available on all computers at Birkbeck:
  • ClaroRead reads text aloud from the screen and can scan and convert PDFs to Microsoft Word documents. Access a guide to ClaroRead on YouTube.

• ClaroCapture can help you organise and edit your reading material. Access a ClaroCapture tutorial on YouTube.

• Jaws is a screen reader that helps users with vision difficulties navigate without a mouse. Access an introduction to Jaws on YouTube.

• ZoomText magnifies your screen. Access an introduction to Zoom Text on YouTube.

Software available on specific computers:

Dragon: is a dictation software available to use on computers located in our Study Support Rooms. Access an introduction to Dragon on YouTube.

Mindmapping software: please speak to a member of the LDDS team about free-to-use alternatives for your phone and laptop whilst new software is tested for accessibility.

Contact the team with your access queries and to book an appointment to discuss your accessibility requirements. Helen Frosi and Michael Wheare run bookable support sessions on weekdays: in-person at the Library or online using MS Teams. Email us to book a meeting.

As a student with a Study Support Plan, you receive an additional week for print book loans (excluding renewals, one-day loans, or interlibrary loans).

You can request:

• Print books are fetched from the Library and kept aside for you to collect, or posted to you. Use the Birkbeck Library item request form to request the books you would like (up to a maximum of five).
• Reading materials are in an accessible digital format suitable for text-to-speech software. Use the 'Request books in digital format' link in the 'Library Services' section of your My Birkbeck for students profile, or email us directly.
• Access to RNIB Bookshare, a database of academic texts in accessible formats. Email us for details and to request an account.
• A proxy borrower card for a person to borrow and return books on your behalf.

Sensus Access is a self-service platform to convert your reading materials and other files into accessible formats. For example, you might use it to convert a document from PDF to an audio or e-book format.

In 2025, titles from across the library, as well as new research monographs, have been selected to be part of our new Disability Studies Special Collection (DSSC) as one way to highlight the rich and interdisciplinary scholarship that constitutes Critical Disability Studies.

Our collection features physical and digital resources. Physical copies can be found on level one in the Library, next to the Study Skills collection, whilst our eBook selection can be accessed via our Disability Studies Special Collection Library Guide.

View our Disability Studies Special Collection Library Guide for further information on available titles.

Michael Wheare and Helen Frosi provide support to disabled students. This includes one-to-one inductions, assistive technology training, making resources accessible, and offering tours of specialist facilities. The team manages the drop-in Accessibility Centre and the three bookable Study Support Rooms in the Library.

Contact the team with your queries and to book an appointment:

• Email: email us
• Telephone: +44 (0)20 3926 1441