Assistive Technology Resources

Laptops, phones, etc on table

Assistive Technology Tools allows disabled students to have a more comprehensive and equitable educational experience to their non-disabled peers. Below is a list of free and purchasable Assistive Technologies. Most of these resources have free trials and how-to-videos you can explore. If you have any questions about a specific technology please contact your SSD Coordinator. 
 

Information and Technology Services supports all public computing sites across campus and provides assistive technology on those computers. The supported technology is indicated in the list below. 

 

Helpful Recording/Note-Taking Applications 

These applications allow the user to record and organize notes in a way that benefits their learning style. 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Text to Speech (TTS) 

This is the ability of your computer to playback written text as spoken words. 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Voice Recognition / Voice Input

Speak to the computer to write papers, emails, or control the computer. 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Concept Mapping

Software for visual outlining/concept mapping to assist with the writing process. 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Screen Overlays

Color Masking Tools which may make reading on a computer screen a bit easier. These are programs you will need to download to your computer. 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Physical Screen Overlays

Instead of Screen Overlay programs there are Physical Screen Overlays.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Screen Magnification

Enlarge the screen for visually impaired individuals with limited speech reading capabilities. 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Screen Reader

Reads aloud all information on the computer screen allowing access for visually impaired individuals. 

  • JAWS (Available on ALL public sites machines throughout campus)
  • NVDA (Free and Available on ALL public sites machines throughout campus)
  • Microsoft Narrator
  • Mac VoiceOver (Available on ALL public sites machines throughout campus)

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Braille Translation

Converts text into a Braille format to be embossed.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Digital Book Resources

  • Bookshare Bookshare offers digital books, textbooks, periodicals and assistive technology tools. Bookshare is free for all U.S. students with qualifying disabilities.
  • Project Gutenberg Offers free ebooks whose copyright has expired: You can choose among free epub books, free kindle books, download them or read them online.