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Perry Library
Havering Library
FAQs
Welcome to our guide for students that may require additional support.
Would you like to find out what your preferred learning style is?
Would you like to know whether you may have an indication of Dyslexia or another specific learning difference?
Click Screening for Dyslexia and SpLDs (Special Learning Differences) to access QuickScan.
On this guide you will find information about services, facilities and support that are available to students with disabilities. All students who are registered with our Disability and Dyslexia Support team are eligible for these services.
Please note that the Library is currently operating a Reduced Service due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and a number of these services as indicated will be unavailable until we reopen. Please see Extra Services box below.
If you have any queries about these or other services, staff can assist you 7 days a week. To contact us please use either the chat facility on this page or email us on library@lsbu.ac.uk
Do you think you might have a Specific Learning Difference (SpLD) such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or dyscalculia?
Are you having difficulties with your studies?
The Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS) offer free, confidential screening throughout the year.
Please use 
To take a free online assessment you will need your current student ID number.
To discuss your results and for more information about the resources that may be available to you, contact the University Disability and Dyslexia Team by email: disability@lsbu.ac.uk.
Do you need to contact the Disability and Dyslexia Support team (DDS)?
If you want to declare a disability or discuss the support that might be available to you, get in touch with the LSBU Disability & Dyslexia Support team:
Online: Disability & Dyslexia Support
Email: disability@lsbu.ac.uk
or find them at the Student Life Centre help desk in the Student Centre
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Assistive Technology Rooms
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| Equipment includes: Height-adjustable desks Assistive mice and keyboards Footrests Document holder Scanners attached Headsets* |
If you wish to book an assistive technology room, you can do so here: |
*Please note: Headphones with integrated microphone have been removed from all Assistive Technology Rooms, so you will need to bring your own if you wish to use them.
Your ID card should give you access to the rooms. If there is a problem with your card please email the Student Life Centre help desk studentlife@lsbu.ac.uk.
You can arrange for someone to pick up and return items for you. They will need to bring your ID card, proof of their own identity, and a letter from you saying that they have permission to use your card.
We are also happy to come with you to look for books and other items in the library. Just ask at the help desk.
If you need a helper or support worker to accompany you when using the library then please contact us online to arrange support at library@lsbu.ac.uk
We can copy journal articles or sections from books for you. You can pick up the copies at the library or we can send them to you by post or email. To request your copies please use our photocopying and scanning request form
If a book or other item is available to be borrowed in the library then we can send it to you by post. To request a book or other item please use our postal loan request form
We can fetch books and other items from our shelves and keep them on the hold shelf at Perry Library for you to collect. We will keep them for up to a week. To request books to be kept for you please use our put aside request form
The Perry Library has a DaVinci magnifier which can magnify books, change the colour and contrast of the text and background, and read printed text out loud.
The Help Desk on Level 1 East can supply coloured page overlays free of charge.
We would like to assist you in any way we can. You can contact us by email at library@lsbu.ac.uk, by phone on 020 7815 6607 or in person at our help points in the Perry Library.
Would you like ClaroRead or MindManager Online Training?
We now provide online training to help you get started using ClaroRead Plus or MindManager using Microsoft Teams.
These sessions will last one hour.
If you are interested please contact us:
Email: library@lsbu.ac.uk
Subject: ClaroRead training or MindManager training
Include: Student ID number
You will receive a response to your request within one working day.
To do the training you will need to have the software installed on your computer. Please see ClaroRead Plus and MindManager boxes below for download and installation instructions.
Microsoft Teams will be used to deliver this training. You can find information on how to access Microsoft Teams and a quick start guide here: Software for Home Working
Please note: It may also be possible to provide some advice on the use of other assistive software such as Dragon. However this will be at the discretion of the trainer and will depend on our familiarity with the software you are using.
Do you need help with e-books?
Some of our e-book platforms have extra accessibility functions.
If you have a specific query with regards to accessing e-books, please email askalibrarian@lsbu.ac.uk.
If you would like help searching for or reading e-books or just want to become more familiar with them, you can book a 1:1 appointment with a librarian.
Do you need to use ClaroRead Plus at home during COVID-19 closure?
Claro Software have made their ClaroRead Plus literacy support programme temporarily available for home use during the current situation.
DDS-registered students who need to use ClaroRead Plus for assessment or examination purposes can obtain a download link and licence key for the software from the DDS team.
Please see below for our guide to downloading and installing ClaroRead Plus on your computer.
Please note this is a temporary licence which will expire at the end of September 2020.
Would MindManager mind mapping software help you?
Mind mapping package with many uses; planning assignments and projects, exam preparation, collaborative working.
Available to download and use on your own PC or laptop.
Click here to download MindManager.
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Download SuperNova at Home - limited offer - 3 months free access Dolphin would like to offer every visually impaired students 3 months free access to their preferred version of SuperNova, for their home laptop or desktop computer. Instructions on how to apply for a download code for the software can be found following this link: Free Dolphin SuperNova.
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Do you have a print disability? Do you need books in an alternative format?
RNIB Bookshare resources are available for anyone with a print disability.
Create an account and sign in to RNIB Bookshare to get access to over 400,000 books in a range of formats, including Word, PDF, MP3, Braille.
The Library can make your reading lists available on this platform in formats that suit you and your technology.
You can also access the RNIB's ever-growing catalogue of materials that are not on your reading list. For full details and to book a 1:1 introductory session, email: askalibrarian@lsbu.ac.uk
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Are you a current student or are you thinking about coming to LSBU next year?
Are you thinking about applying for the DSA (Disabled Students Allowance)?
If you are, then please have a look at the video below for some very helpful advice from students and other colleagues.
We hope to see you soon!
For more information and links to other videos and resources, visit the British Assistive Technology Association website.
Did you know you can alter the Accessibility Options on your Windows PC?
Did you know that in Windows 10 you can make onscreen text bigger and brighter?
Did you know that you can change the mouse pointer and the cursor size?
Have you heard of the Ease of Access Centre?
You can find the Ease of Access Centre in Settings in Windows 10. There you will find these tools and other options – magnify all or part of the screen, try different colour filters or high-contrast schemes, use Windows Narrator to have things read out to you.
We can provide advice and introductory training on these accessibility tools, just ask at the help desk about booking an appointment. You can also email us at library@lsbu.ac.uk
Visit this useful Youtube playlist for information on some of these tools
Do you need more accessibility tools on your PC? Have a look at these free online resources
Alongside the accessibility software installed on the library PCs that we support there are a number of external free apps, add ons and resources online that can help study and aid productivity that you might find useful.*
*Please note these are just suggestions and are not applications supported by either Student IT Support or IT Services .
These apps can help you to:
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Google offers a number of free Chrome add-ons that help you get organised, view your device how you want it. There are apps that can help you speed read such as Spreed
Applevis is a community powered website for blind and low vision users of apple products. As well as directing users to a range of apps it offers resources and mechanisms for raising awareness of the accessibility of Apple products and related applications, and for promoting further advancement in accessibility.
My Computer My Way offers a variety of ways that you can alter your devices settings to increase their accessibility and functionality.
Audacity is free open source software that allows you to record and edit audio files.
You may find working in silence or the ambient sounds of a study area distracting, some people can find listening to white, pink or brown noise can help them to mask external distractions and concentrate. This app provides a range of different sounds including rainfall, birdsong, cafe chatter as well as pink, brown and white noise generators.
The RNIB is a charity that helps support people with sight loss they have an excellent beginners guide to using assistive technology for those with visual impairments
Action on hearing loss provides support for people with hearing loss they have an extensive list of apps that can help you navigate the environment around you. Braci can record sounds in your environment and gives alerts on your smart phone when it recognises them. Let me hear again, can convert speech to text and text to speech.
Microsoft Seeing AI is a free app that narrates the world around you. Designed for the low vision community, this research project harnesses the power of AI to describe people, text and objects
Would you like help with Assistive Technology?
This service is currently unavailable on campus
If you would like any assistance with equipment or software in our Assistive Technology Rooms (ATR) please ask at our help desks on 1 East or 1 West or email: library@lsbu.ac.uk
We also offer one-to-one introductory training sessions online for some of the software in the ATR. Email: library@lsbu.ac.uk.
Do you want to know what Assistive Technology software is available on Campus?
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Dragon Software Dragon is voice recognition software. You speak to the computer and it follows your commands allowing you to navigate the screen without the use of a mouse. Dragon can be used by anyone who would prefer to say their ideas as opposed to type them. Available in all of our Assistive Technology Rooms in the Perry Library. |
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SuperNova Screen-reading and magnification program for blind or partially sighted users. Available in Assistive Technology Room 1 on level 3 East of the Perry Library. |
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ClaroRead Plus Literacy support software that can help with proofing, understanding and checking text onscreen. You can read any on-screen text out loud and enables scanned paper books and documents to be read aloud. Available on all PCs across campus. |
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MindManager Mind mapping package with many uses; planning assignments and projects, exam preparation, collaborative working. Available on all PCs across campus. |
You can find out more about our services for students registered with the LSBU Disability & Dyslexia Support team on our Students with Disabilities page
