Assistive Technology
On this page…
Alternate/Electronic Text
The Disability Support Services Office can provide Alternate formats for Textbooks and other materials for students approved for the electronic text accommodation. Alternate formats include EPUB, PDF, Word, Audio, Braille. Students should purchase electronic text if electronic formats are available to purchase from the publisher. When electronic formats are not available for purchase Alternate/Electronic Text can be requested at the following link: Electronic Text Request Form
**EPUB is an e-book file format that uses the “. epub” file extension. The term is short for electronic publication. To read this type of electronic text file you need an E-reader program some examples of E-Reader program/applications below:
AI Automatic Caption/Transcription
Closed Captioning/Transcriptions/Subtitles provide a text version of spoken language in a recording, video, or computer presentation. Closed captioning was developed to aid hearing-impaired people but this can be useful for various situations and learners. Below are a few free AI Automatic Caption applications/programs that can be used to provide AI generated speech to text automatic captions or transcriptions for live events and recorded presentations etc.
Magnification/Zoom
CCTV displays and screen magnifiers are used to make print and digital text/images accessible to those with visual impairments who would otherwise not be able to effectively view on-screen or print graphics and text. The Disability Support Services Office has a CCTV monitor available in our testing lab (Humanware MyReader600) available for use during test taking for individuals with Visual impairments.
Note-taking/Recording
Note-taking software and recording devices can be used to assist with the note taking process allowing students the ability to focus on the lecture and take notes more efficiently. The Disability Support Services office is able to supply a limited number of Smart-pens and Audio Note-taking Software to registered students who have been approved for note-taking accommodations.
- *Microsoft OneNote Getting Started
- ***Livescribe Echo SmartPens
- ***Glean
- * Otter.AI
- *Notability
- *Simplenote
- 2021 Best Note-Taking Apps
Screen Readers
Screen Readers are assistive technology computer software that can be utilized to read the text contents shown on the computer display. Enabling users with visual impairments or certain learning disabilities to utilize the computer screen through non-visual means.
- *Read & Write
- Speech to text capability
- *Speechify
- *Voice Dream
- **JAWS Student
Platform Accessibility Features
Apple and Windows computers have built-in Accessibility features including contrast settings, Text to Speech Narration, and Voice to Text Dictation. There are extensions available to better organize Canvas for each user.
* Free Software
** Student Purchase Required
*** Limited Supply available for Loan through DSS Office