Students with Disabilities
Service Statement
The Vancouver Community College library is committed to making our library accessible to students, faculty and staff with disabilities. We strive to reduce barriers by delivering high quality services, responsive to the needs of all library patrons. Staff can facilitate access to adaptive technology available at both campuses, and can assist in seeking and retrieving materials. We will respect the independence and privacy of individuals when providing support.
Alternate Format Collection
The Alternate Format Collection (AFC) contains materials in Braille, DAISY, audiobooks and described DVDs. To find materials in the AFC, use the VCC Library catalogue’s Advanced Search.
- For all books in Braille: Enter the search term "Braille" and select Braille, from the Format drop-down menu.
- For Unified English Braille (UEB): enter the search term "Unified English Braille format (UEB)".
- For Uncontracted "Grade 1" Braille: enter the search term "Uncontracted Braille (Grade 1 Braille)".
- For all Audiobooks: Enter an * as your search term, and limit your search by selecting All Audiobooks from the Format drop-down menu.
- For Audiobooks (CDs): enter the search term "Audiobooks" and select Audiobooks (Physical) from the Format drop-down menu.
- For Audiobooks (online) through Overdrive:Borrow them with your VCC username and password, to listen or read on your computer or mobile device.
- For DAISY books: Enter the search term "DAISY" and select All Format, from the Format drop-down menu.
- For Described DVDs: Enter the search term "Video recordings for people with visual disabilities".
- For Close captioned DVDs: Enter the search term “Video recordings for the hearing impaired".
Items in the Alternate Format Collection may be borrowed for four weeks and renewed three times. Described DVDs may be borrowed for one week and renewed once.
In addition to the AFC, the Library has eBook and streaming video collections on a wide variety of topics.
| Technology | Function | Broadway Campus | Downtown Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| For Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: | |||
| Canada VRS (CanVRS) | Make phone calls | Library - Main floor |
Library |
| For Students with Visual or Print Impairment: | |||
| Scanner | Scans printed material | Library - Main floor | Library Learning Centre |
| Photocopier | Enlarge print size of text | Library - Main floor Library - Upstairs |
Library |
| OpenBook | Software: convert scanned material to e-text | Library - Main floor | |
| ZOOMText | Software: enlarge print on computer monitor | Library - Main floor |
Library Learning Centre |
| JAWS | Software: read print from computer monitor | Library - Main floor | Library Learning Centre |
| Victor Reader Classic+ | Play digital talking books (DAISY books) | Library - Service Desk | |
For assistance, please email libraryhelp@vcc.ca or call 604.871.7323.