The booths: adapted spaces

On the second floor of the Bpi, near the entrance, two booths are reserved for anyone who has difficulty accessing reading materials due to a disability: visual impairment, motor impairment, dys disorders, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), etc.

The booths are workspaces equipped with computers, hardware, and software to assist with reading. Some equipment is specifically designed for people with visual impairments. Booth 1 is for one person and booth 2 is for two people. They are available by reservation during library opening hours.

photo de l'entrée des loges de la bibliothèque
Julien Masson / Bpi

How to use a booth ?

Register

You must first register with the librarians at the reception desk by presenting one of the following documents:

  • Mobility Inclusion Card (CMI – new name for the disability card), issued by the MDPH (Departmental Center for Disabled Persons);
  • Notification from the Commission for the Rights and Autonomy of Disabled Persons (CDAPH);
  • Medical certificate (including from a general practitioner) or a certificate from another health professional (speech therapist, neuropsychologist, orthoptist, psychomotor therapist, occupational therapist, etc.);
  • Personalized education plan (PPS), personalized support plan (PAP), or individualized reception plan (PAI) for the implementation of primary and secondary support plans;
  • Recognition of disabled worker status (RQTH).
  • For students, registration with the “disability mission” of the university or higher education institution.
  • A sworn statement may be accepted if the person demonstrates an inability to read due to a disability or disorder (dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysphasia, etc.).

The person who registers will automatically receive two documents in accessible Word format by email:

When you register, a library staff member will give you a brief presentation on the study rooms and how they work. We strongly recommend that you make an individual appointment with a librarian from the Lecture et Handicap Service for a full presentation of the software, hardware, and digital resources available in the study rooms.

Request a reservation slot

A booth may be used freely by a registered user after reserving a slot at the reception desk and presenting themselves to the desk staff, if the reservation was made by telephone. A slot is valid for 30 minutes to a maximum of 4 hours, renewable subject to availability.

Reservations can be made on site or by telephone on +33 (0)1 44 78 12 71 during the Bpi’s opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

You must specify the name of the user, the equipment required to choose the booth, the date and the duration of the reservation. One accompanying person per user is allowed.

Booth equipement

photo du matériel disponible dans les loges de la bibliothèque
© Julien Masson / Bpi

In these areas, you will find:

The following software:

  • JAWS and NVDA speech synthesis software;
  • Zoomtext screen magnification software;
  • Antidote writing assistance software;
  • Duxbury Braille transcription and printing software;
  • Apprenti Clavier: for learning to use a computer keyboard;
  • Dolphin Easy Reader: for downloading and reading audiobooks;
  • as well as shortcuts to the Platon catalog (Platform for the Transfer of Digital Works), the Eole library of adapted books, and Bibliothèques sonores.

Adapted equipment:

  • computer stations with 27-inch screens on articulated arms;
  • large-character keyboards;
  • Braille displays: to display the text on the screen in Braille;
  • video magnifiers: to enlarge printed documents;
  • a voice-activated video magnifier: used like an electronic magnifying glass equipped with character recognition software (OCR);
  • a reading machine: similar to a voice-activated scanner;
  • a scanner;
  • black A4 printers;
  • a Braille printer;
  • a thermo-relief oven: a device for printing tactile images.

Additional equipment for your comfort:

  • headphones;
  • desk lamps;
  • height-adjustable tables;
  • lockers and document holders;
  • telephone lines connected directly to the reception desk.

Please note: a few sheets of paper for printers and the Braille embosser may be provided if necessary, for reasonable use. Microcapsule paper for the thermo-relief oven is not provided by the library.

The disability exception to copyright

Registration with the lodges service also includes the benefit of the copyright exception for people with disabilities, which allows them to obtain adapted books produced and distributed in digital format.

Find out how to obtain an adapted work under the disability exception to copyright.