Library workstations

The Equal Access Unit is also aimed at print-disabled users to help them become familiar with Assistive Technology, improve how they interact with it and use it effectively by providing 4 accessible workstations.

These stations are computers that allow students with disabilities, such as blindness, reduced vision, mobility impairments and in general people with visual disabilities (e.g., dyslexia) and people with deafness, to access the Library's collections, its services Internet and in the preparation of tasks and research, while they are also equipped with special software that can be used by people with the respective disability.

Specifically, the workstations are equipped with the following tools:

Software

• Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software (ABBYY Fine Reader). The software allows converting scanned files (with the help of a scanner), PDF files and even image files into an editable format. The software fully supports Greek characters, has the ability to export documents to text, html and pdf files. Then the resulting file, using special software (available), can be converted to Braille or spoken language or even enlarged for easier reading.
• Software Screenreaders οθόνης (Innoetics TTS, Vocalizer, Thorium, NVDA). Software essential for people who have some kind of visual disability, whether that includes total vision loss or other conditions. It fully supports Greek, has the ability to magnify screen data up to 60 times, works as a screen reader to convert anything on the screen into spoken speech, facilitates users when typing text by speaking what the user types. At the same time, it is able to translate from and to Braille and works with the Braille screen. It is also possible to modify the visual presentation of the information, by changing size, colors and other characteristics.

* This software, through special settings, can also facilitate people who suffer from distraction or some form of dyslexia.

• Voice reader software (Logograph). Software that allows the user to speak text (rather than type it) using a microphone and then have what they say automatically converted into electronic text in either a logotype word processor or Microsoft Word. It provides the ability to convert pre-recorded speech from audio file format (wav, mp3, mp4, wma) to text.

* This software is also used by people with mobility disabilities who cannot or have difficulty typing text.

• Daisy Audiobook Production Software (Dolphin Publisher). Dolphin Publisher is the premier tool for creating DAISY digital talking books with human narration or synthetic voices.
• Computer Control Software (Grid). GRID is one of the most complete alternative and augmentative communication software. Its potential as an alternative communication tool as well as a therapeutic/educational process for speech-impaired people is only limited by the time spent creating activities and usage grids and communication tables. The environment is open allowing the therapist/trainer to fully customize the environment to the user. Its features include word prediction from built-in dictionary, dictionary enrichment, autoclick (with timeout) for keyboard keys, autoclick (with timeout) for mouse functions, phrase and macro functions, ready-made examples of polynets that cover most needs and the ability to create polynets or customize polynets. It fully supports the Greek language, it has the ability to work with voice synthesis software so that the contents of the grids are spoken, but it also comes with a built-in software voice synthesis system for speaking for two voices in Greek: 1 male and 1 female, so that the environment is complete.

Hardware

• Φορητή Μηχανική Γραφομηχανή Braille. Prints up to 25 lines of 42 Braille cells.
• Refreshable Braille display. A device for displaying Braille characters that blind or visually impaired users can use to read the text output. It is 44 characters, three of which are also used for the presentation of special information. It fully supports Greek.

*Deaf or hard-hearing users may also use refreshable braille displays.

• Braille printer This device allows the printing of texts in Braille. The printer supports Greek and English Braille, has the ability to print directly from the Internet and uses computerized paper, so that the reading of Braille is not interrupted.
• Closed circuit television (CCTV) electronic screen magnifier. The electronic magnification is a solution for a large category of visually impaired people. The device presents an image (or anything in printed form) magnified on the computer screen (up to 30 times magnification). A key feature of the device is its ability to be used for writing as well
• Big Keys KeyboardIt has a limited number of keys so that the user's attention is not distracted and focused on the most used keys. The keys are 4 times larger than those of conventional keyboards. It comes with a key guide (key isolation grid) that prevents accidental keystrokes.
• Trackball mouse. It is aimed at people with mobility problems in the upper limbs. It replaces the conventional mouse. It consists of a trackball that replaces the movement of the cursor and six keys for the basic functions of the mouse. It also provides three connection inputs for external switches that provide additional functionality convenience.
• Joystick mouse. It is aimed at people with mobility problems in the upper limbs. It replaces the conventional mouse. It consists of three different control handles (stick, ball and a T-type) that replace the movement of the cursor and six buttons for the basic functions of the mouse. It also provides three connection inputs for external switches that provide additional functionality convenience.
• Pressure switch. It is an assistive device for computer users with limited vision or users with mobility disabilities who need a larger target area than a conventional mouse provides. The switch is available in different colors (red, blue yellow and green) to meet the individual needs of users.