Access Services: Technology

Resources for visual or hearing impaired patrons

PCs and  Ease of Access Center

Windows7 includes four basic accessibility features for visual or hearing impaired patrons.

To locate these and other settings, go to Start, click on Settings, click on Ease of Access.

The features include:

• Magnifier – enlarges part of the screen
• Narrator – reads aloud text on the screen
• On Screen Keyboard – makes it possible to type using a mouse rather than a keyboard
• High Contrast – increases the contrast in colors to minimize eye strain

Or, from the CTRL+ALT+DEL screen, click on the Ease of Access icon at the bottom right of the screen to get this menu:

iMacs and Accessibility Options

The Accessibility Options panel offers shortcuts to quickly turn on or turn off common accessibility features such as Zoom, VoiceOver, and Sticky Keys.

Press these keys together: Option (⌥), Command (⌘), and F5. On notebook computers with a Touch Bar, you might need to press the Fn (Function) key as well.

On notebook computers with Touch ID, triple-press Touch ID. (If you press and hold the Command key while doing this, VoiceOver turns on or off.)

More Mac Accessibility shortcuts

Charging Devices

Please ask a library staff member at the desk if you would like to borrow a charger for your laptop or mobile phone.  They are available for a one-day loan at the Library Service Point.

The library has a variety of chargers for mobile phones, tablets, Mac laptops, and PC laptops. Due to the wide variation of connections on mobile phones and laptops, we cannot guarantee we have a charger for your specific device.

Omni portable power banks are also available and can charge any device.  Each one has a wall outlet, USB 3.0 and USB-C ports, a DC port, and wireless charging.  They are available for a one-day loan at the Library Service Point as well.

Laptops for Loan

The library loans laptops to UMass Chan students, faculty, staff and clinical staff. Laptops circulate for one week. Laptops cannot be renewed but patrons are free to check out another laptop the day following their return of a laptop.

Inventory

We currently have 13 Dell laptops available for loan.

• 8 Latitude 5289
• 5 Latitude 7390 2-in-1

Software

All are running Windows 10 and feature:

• Microsoft Office and OneDrive
• Adobe Reader DC
• 3 browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome)
• Zoom
• Skype
• Pulse Secure (VPN Client for UMass Chan)
• VMWare Horizon Client (UMMHC Virtual Desktop Access)

Patrons cannot install programs on the laptops; however, there are instances in which an administrator can approve the installation of certain programs. 

Accessories

All loaner laptops come with a charger and carrying bag.  These accessories are also available by request:

• Mouse
• Stylus
• USB to VGA adapter
• USB-C to Ethernet adapter
• DVD Drive
• Webcam
• Microphone
• Projector (UMass Chan students only)

Dell Laptop Quick Start Manuals

Latitude 5289 model

Latitude 7390 2-in-1 model

Password Management

Here are instructions on how to manage your UMass Chan password.

Password Protected Journals

The following journals require passwords in order to access the content:

• Analytical and Quantitative Cytology and Histology

• Cutis

• International Journal of Fertility & Women's Medicine

• Journal of Endocrinological Investigation

• Journal of Reproductive Medicine

• Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners/Massachusetts Library System Databases

• Methods & Findings in Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology

• Modern Healthcare

In order to gain access, a patron must ask a staff member at the Library Service Point in person.  If unable to come in person, please call 508-856-6099 or email circstaffmb@umassmed.edu.

Public Workstations

The library has a total of thirty-one (31) workstations located on the first floor, including nineteen (19) Dell computers, four (4) Apple computers, and eight (8) UMMHC computers for clinical use.

The computers are for use by students, staff, faculty and the general public. Priority will be given to members of the medical school community.  Members of the medical school community should use their network account; members of the public should use the guest login.

Specialized Workstations

• Eight Clinical (UMMHC) Computers
• One accessible workstation with a wide curved monitor (210)
• A standalone wide curved monitor with USB-C laptop connection available

Library Classroom

The library has one computer classroom containing:

• One instructor workstation
• Twelve student workstations
• Overhead projector
• Laptop connection
• Whiteboard

When the classroom is not in use for library instruction, the computers are available as public workstations.

Software on Public Workstations

All library workstations are equipped with Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, Microsoft® Office, and OneDrive Products. A list of additional library-supported applications is included below. All library computers are numbered. Numbers beginning with 4 are located in the computer classroom.

Scanner

The public printer has scanning capabilities.  You may scan to PDF and send the document to an email address.  Here are instructions for using the public printer to scan to email.

UMass Chan IT Portal

The UMass Chan IT portal is your one-stop shop for submitting Help Desk tickets, requesting help with accounts, and browsing the IT Knowledge Base for information on the many applications and systems available at UMass Chan.

UMass Chan Style Guide

The full UMass Chan style guide can be found here.

Browser Supported Color Codes

Wireless Access and Signal Strength

Wireless Access

Wireless access is available through the UMMS, ummhc@umw, UMASSMED-GUEST, and eduroam wireless networks.

• To access the UMMS or ummhc@umw wireless networks, you must have a Medical School or Clinical (UMMHC) system network account. Through these networks, University students, faculty and staff will receive robust access to internal UMMS network resources.
• The UMASSMED-GUEST wireless network provides non-encrypted internet access for guests. The guest network is separate from the UMMS or UMW networks and firewalled to protect school resources. This network is intended for guests of the medical school only.
• Visitors from participating EDUROAM institutions may use the eduroam network by logging in with their respective institution’s credentials.

More information on the UMass Medical School's wireless network can be found at: http://www.umassmed.edu/it/how-do-i/get-started/wireless/

More information on Memorial's wireless networks can be found at: https://ournet1.umassmemorial.org/Administrative/Departments/Information Services/WiFi Access/Pages/Default.aspx

Signal Strength

Due to the access point locations, book stacks, and thick library walls, signal strength is the strongest on the library's first floor. The signal is the weakest on the second and third floors along the outer walls. If you are experiencing problems with the wireless network, please report the problem to the library staff.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

If patrons are trying to use library resources, they should try to access them from the library website rather than relying on VPN access.

VPN service is not offered by the LSL but rather by the Information Technology (IT) department at UMass Medical School. They give complete instructions on the UMass Chan website, including system requirements and login instructions. If you are having difficulty accessing library online journals and textbooks through VPN, contact Robert VanderHart. Ask for Tier 3 VPN access and he will make the request on your behalf to the UMass Chan IT Help Desk.

UMass Chan SSL VPN Instructions (PDF Document)

For additional Information, refer to:

IT – Remote Networking

HIPAA Compliant Shredder

The library has a HIPAA compliant shredder to the left of the public printer for UMass Chan/UMMHC community use.

Faxing

Students can fax using the Office of Student Life's machine.  Patrons are encouraged to scan and email the document if possible.