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.

Watch the brief Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) video. Then, take the self-evaluation to assess your AT knowledge. Contact OARS if you would like to discuss accommodations and/or assistive technology.

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

Genio formerly Glean is a transcription service that allows you to capture everything from class, building useful knowledge without missing any important information.

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.

Microsoft– Microsoft programs provide built-in accessibility features to support different user needs. These tools include:

• Dictate – Converts speech to text.
• Immersive Reader – Offers options such as Read Aloud, Column Width, Page Color, Line Focus, Text Spacing, and Syllables.
• Zoom – Adjusts the view size for easier readability.

You can access these features from the View tab in the ribbon.

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.

RELAXATION DEVICES

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.