Accessibility Services Ritz Library

The Ritz Library's intention is to make the library and the information it hosts accessible to all individuals. We offer a number of services and accommodations intended to enhance use of the Ritz Library by persons requiring accommodations. To that end, the library works with the Office of Accommodative Services and the Information Technology department to provide patrons with universal design assistive technology.  

Annually, the IT department updates software if needed.  The library staff review and complete training to remain aware of how the various software platforms work and how the technology may have changed due to platform upgrades.  

The Ritz Library at Dutchess Community College is committed to equal access for all and offers the following accommodations:

• Research databases, many of which have audio and font options 
• Assistive technology including magnifiers, speech to text conversion programs, and reading aloud programs

Building Accessibility

• Accessible parking at the lower level of Hudson Hall
• Accessibility ramps
• Elevator access 
• Automatic doors to the Library

Every desktop in the Library is equipped with:

Read&Write 

Read&Write is a software toolbar that helps students create and access content.  R&W helps with both research and studying by providing the following features and more (as stated on their website):

• Text to Speech allows students to hear online text read aloud 
• Provides for Page Translations to various languages 
• Text & Picture Dictionaries 
• Talk & Type converts speech to text 
• Check It reviews writing for incorrect grammar and spelling (phonetic) 
• Collect Highlights from text to assist in the research process
• Simplify removes ads that can be distracting
• Audio Maker converts selected text into an audio file in mp3 format, and automatically downloads.

Every student has the ability to download R&W to their own computer.  

The media room in the library provides access to an assistive technology workstation. Access and training for this workstation can be arranged with the Office of Accommodative Services. The workstation is equipped with the the following hardware and software:

• Dell Optiplex 9020 computer
• Large print USB keyboard
• Scanner
• JAWS
  • JAWS, Job Access With Speech, was developed for computer users whose vision prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse. JAWS provides speech and Braille output for popular computer applications.  
• Kurzweil 3000
  • Software for accessibility is a multi-function platform that allows for text-to-speech conversion in multiple languages. It includes page magnification, different reading functions, OpenDyslexic font, ABBYY FineReader® OCR, mp3 file creation, talking calculator, and more.

• ZoomText 
  • ZoomText Magnifier/Reader is a fully integrated magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users. Magnifier/Reader enlarges and enhances everything on your computer screen, echoes your typing and essential program activity, and automatically reads documents, web pages, and email.
• Read&Write
  • Read&Write is a software toolbar that helps students create and access content with the literacy support features needed to engage with a personalized learning experience. See information in the box labeled Computers in the Library.
• Dragon Naturally Speaking
  • Software that allows you to speak commands so that users can create and edit documents, send email, and search the web easily.  Dragon Speak is known for speech recognition accuracy.