Ergonomic Resource Page
This page contains links to UCSC Campus departments that handle requests and problems involving an individual's workspace; and general information links.
- (used with a sing. verb) The applied science of equipment design, as for the workplace, intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort. Also called biotechnology, human engineering, human factors engineering
- (used with a pl. verb) Design factors, as for the workplace, intended to maximize productivity by minimizing operator fatigue and discomfort: The ergonomics of the new office were felt to be optimal.
Ergonomic Evaluations
Ergonomic evaluations are available, and you are urged to have your workstation evaluated. Evaluations are conducted by Environmental Health & Safety specialist, Kitty Woldow. You can contact Kitty directly to schedule your evaluation. Evaluations typically take about half an hour, usually less, sometimes more depending on each individual. Once you have scheduled your evaluation, please email David Cosby, at , to let him know when it will be. He will then follow through by monitoring these evaluations, and Facilities will assist in implementing any necessary changes.
Kitty Woldow
EH & S Specialist
Environmental Health & Safety Department
831-459-1448
David Cosby
SoE Facilities Manager
831-459-5665
Speech Recognition Workstations
To better serve grad students with disabilities, a workstation with speech recognition software has been installed in Engineering 2 Building Room 201. Speech recognition software allows the user to operate most software programs by using voice commands, as well as making it possible to convert speech to text, for word processing purposes. This particular workstation is equipped with Dragon Naturally Speaking speech recognition software. Currently, access to this workstation is limited to grad students, on an as needed first come, first served basis. New users should expect a "burn-in" period necessary to train Dragon to recognize each individual speech pattern.
The Disability Resource Center has also created two such workstations in collaboration with the EOP Learning Center. They are located in the Academic Resources Center (ARCenter), which is near the Music building and the Theater.
The ARCenter
The Disability Resource Center can also assist students with disabilities in using the equipment, and becoming familiar with the software. Contact the Disability Resource Center for more information.
One other such workstation exists at Cowell College . UCSC Instructional Computing has equipped the Cowell Lab with an Adaptive Technology Room. Contact the Disability Resource Center to schedule these workstations.