May 4, 2023
Reaching New Heights: More Accessible Desks for all UW Libraries Users
One of the new height adjustable work stations in Foster Business Library.
UW Libraries are continually working to improve accessibility for our users. In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day coming up on May 18th, we are happy to share some exciting news! Over the past few years, one of our priority goals has been to outfit at least 10% of the computer workstations at every UW Seattle library branch with height adjustable tables. We are pleased to announce that we have reached that goal — over 70 of our computer workstations now have electronically-controlled height adjustable desks!
Adjustable desks are necessary to provide all users with access to workstations. Previous desks were at a fixed height to match our existing seating, but this lack of flexibility presented some issues. For example, they could be the wrong height for library visitors using wheelchairs. Now, with the electronic controls, users can adjust their workspaces with ease.
Starting in 2019, the UW Libraries began to address this deficit. Desks which were previously at a fixed height, or which required manual mechanical adjustment (which is harder to use), were updated. Over each of the last three years, we applied for and were awarded funding from the Student Technology Fee committee which supports many projects dedicated to improving the accessibility of technology across campus. While it would also be beneficial to have study tables that can be height adjustable, we have focused on the computer desks because the grant required a project that supports student technology needs.
ADA guidelines state that at least 10% of computer workstations should be accessible. With the completion of this project, several of our branch libraries such as Art, Drama, Foster and Music have 100% accessible desks for student workstations, and Math has 50%.
LEFT to RIGHT: Hana Levay, Collection Assessment Librarian and co-chair of the Accessibility Working Group with Dan Halligan, Branch Operations Services, Daily Operations Supervisor who helped lead the work to install more accessible workstations.
Enhancing equitable environments for teaching, learning and research is one of the UW Libraries main strategic priorities. Through this work, we have prioritized improving access to library spaces and resources by adding more accessible furniture and other tools that support our values.A full list of our accessible height workstations can be found on the Libraries Accessibility page. If you have any questions about the height adjustable desks or would like to suggest potential areas of improvement related to Libraries’ accessibility, please contact us at uwlib-a11y@uw.edu.
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