Accessible Technology
Accessible Technology, also called Assistive Technology or AT, is any item, piece of equipment, software programs, or product system that is used to increase, maintain or improve daily living often for individuals with a disability. It helps enhance the learning and work experience for people who have difficulty speaking, typing, reading, writing, seeing, hearing, and other difficulties.
Software for Students
Students with disabilities may use the computers in the labs located throughout the campus, many of which are equipped with accessible software with screen reading and voice activation capabilities. OARS does not provide prescriptive devices, devices of a personal nature or personal attendant care. Any equipment loaned by OARS to a student and not returned may result in a hold being placed on the student’s record.
- Computers located in the student labs, including those with accessible software, are accessible with the student’s university assigned identification number and password.
- Any questions regarding the availability or use of available accessible equipment should be referred to OARS.
Screen Readers
JAWS is a screen reader, a software program for visually impaired users. Its purpose is to make personal computers using Microsoft Windows accessible to blind and visually impaired users. It accomplishes this by providing the user with access to the information displayed on the screen via text-to-speech or by means of Braille display and allows for more comprehensive keyboard interaction with the computer.
Face-to-Face Communication Device
UbiDuo3 provides an accessibility solution that eliminates communication barriers between deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing people.
Note Taking, Text-To-Speech, Recording
Note-taking Agreement
- Accessible technology is an approved accommodation for personal use only, and any recordings may not be shared, duplicated, or posted to any social websites.
- Recordings of any classes must be destroyed upon graduation or separation from the university.
- “Pens-down Moments”- If at any time in the class, the instructor indicates all students must stop taking notes, accessible technology must be turned off or stopped.
- Violations of these requirements or inappropriate use of accessible technology is a serious violation, which can result in the loss of the accommodation and may result in additional consequences, including conduct action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and/or other university policies. Feel free to contact OARS to ask questions or to request to borrow a device.
Genio formerly Glean is a transcription service that allows you to capture everything from class, building useful knowledge without missing any important information.
Jamworks– notetaking application that can be used with your mobile device or computer to record lectures and create study materials.
Google Chrome (Reading Mode)- Chrome reads pages aloud (speech-to-text). Words on the page are highlighted to help you follow along. Read aloud is best for content like news stories, articles, or even PDFs. You can adjust the voice , speed , and highlight style in the toolbar next to the Play button. To use read aloud, right-click on a page, and select Open in reading mode. This opens the side panel, which has controls you can use for read aloud. Click the Play button.
Ophaya Writing Board & Smartpen– record lecture, take lives notes and help save the environment by taking notes using the writing board and smart pen.
ScanMarker Air & ScanMarker Reader– transform printed material into electronic text in seconds with this “wireless digital highlighter” Use for reading, translation to another language or notetaking. Connect to ScanMarkers using your phone, tablet or computer.
Read & Write is an easy-to-use, intuitive toolbar add-on for PCs and Macs that supports students with reading, writing, studying, and research developed by Everway. It is available for installation at Texthelp Academy. Read &Write seamlessly integrates with Microsoft applications, PDFs, e-mail, the Internet (add extension) and Canvas.
With over 20 tools available, you can:
- Hear text read aloud to improve reading comprehension, with a choice of natural voices.
- Understand unfamiliar words with text and picture dictionaries.
- Highlight and copy text from documents and web pages to create study guides, outlines or complete assignments.
- Supports writing skills with word prediction.
- Turn text from documents and web pages into MP3 sound files for listening on the move.
- Check writing mistakes with proofreading tools.
- For a quick overview of Read & Write watch this Back to Basics Youtube 10 minute video.
OrbitNotes– also by Everway- allows you to engage with PDFs.
mICROSOFT aCCESSIBILITY tOOLS
Video series (1 minute video tutorials)
Microsoft Accessibility Features and Tools
M365 Productivity tools by application
Accessibility features for Windows
Accessibility tools for PowerPoint
Get accessible templates for Office
Accessibility tools for Outlook
Accessibility tools for Microsoft Teams
Accessibility tools for OneDrive
Accessibility tools for OneNote
M365 Productivity tools by category
Accessibility tools for vision – Microsoft Support
Accessibility tools for hearing – Microsoft Support
Accessibility tools for mobility – Microsoft Support
Accessibility tools for neurodiversity – Microsoft Support
Accessibility tools for learning – Microsoft Support
Accessibility tools for mental health – Microsoft Support
Accessible content
Make your Word documents accessible to people with disabilities
Make your PowerPoint presentations accessible to people with disabilities
Make your Excel documents accessible to people with disabilities
Improve accessibility with the Accessibility Checker
Check accessibility while you work in Office apps
Accessibility Assistant in Word
Inclusive meeting tips
Video: Present inclusively with PowerPoint (microsoft.com)
Accessibility tips for inclusive Microsoft Teams meetings and live events
Tips for participants
Keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Teams
Screen reader support for Microsoft Teams
Use live captions in a Teams meeting (microsoft.com)
Hide your identity in meeting captions and transcripts (microsoft.com)
Use Sign Language View in Microsoft Teams
Use CART captions in a Microsoft Teams meeting (human generated captions)
View live transcription in a Teams meeting
Share slides in Microsoft Teams meetings with PowerPoint Live – Microsoft Support
Resources
Enterprise Disability Answer Desk (support desk)
Ask Microsoft Accessibility (chatbot)
Training
Foundational knowledge on accessibility and disability inclusion
Introductory course on accessibility including intro to accessibility, principles and guidelines, accessible content, testing, and creating accessible AI experiences.
Available on Learn
Accessibility fundamentals – Training | Microsoft Learn
rELAXATION dEVICE
Sensate– Listen to soothing music and take relaxing breaths to decrease feelings of anxiety. Use before an exams/quiz, presentation or interview. Sensate your key to calm.
Screen Magnifiers
ZoomText is a screen magnifier with a built-in screen reader. It also has options to customize the monitor’s color scheme and mouse pointers to best suit the user.
OARS Portal