Some students benefit from the use of technology to reduce or remove the barriers to learning that are presented by their disabilities. Disability Services can help eligible students determine which assistive technology would be most helpful for them. Disability Services is available to train students on the use of assistive technology, software, and adaptive equipment. Disability Services is working to expand the assistive technology, software, or equipment that is available to eligible students, so if you have a need that is not met by the current technology, please contact the office. Students may benefit from using the following equipment or software programs designed to improve access for people with disabilities.
- Students with a visual impairment may benefit from a CCTV magnifier (text magnification) which is located in the Weaver Library. Please ask for assistance at the main circulation desk in the library.
- This is a speech recognition software programs that is designed to allow hands-free access to the computer. Students train the program to recognize their voice and are then able to do with their voice anything that can be done with a keyboard or mouse. Dragon Naturally Speaking also has a read-back feature that allows students to hear what they have written. The Dragon Naturally Speaking software is available in the Weaver Library. Please contact Disability Services for training.
- This program is a screen reader, which is designed to allow access to everything on the computer without needing to see the monitor (one could turn off the monitor and still work on the computer). A computer synthesized voice, which can be adjusted to the student’s specifications, assists the student in navigating the computer screen and through the programs, including the internet. JAWS is available in the Weaver Library. Please ask for assistance at the main circulation desk in the library.
- Kurzweil 3000 is a reading, writing, and learning software for students who struggle with printed text to access curriculum materials. Kurzweil is available in the Weaver Library and on all campus computers. Kurzweil Firefly version is available for students to remotely access audio files. Please see the Director of Disability Services to get a user name and password.
- Located in the Disability Services office.
- This printer makes material accessible in raised format. It will print in Braille, raised text or raised graphics. In addition to helping blind students have access to printed materials, this format is very beneficial to students who learn better tactilely. Contact Disability Services to have material converted in a raised format.
- This program combines the screen reading capabilities of JAWS with a screen magnification program. Students with visual impairments may tailor the screen enlargement to their specifications, and screen contents will simultaneously be read aloud by the computer.
- Assistive listening devices, recording devices, and held-held media devices can be checked out by making an appointment with Disability Services. Any equipment loaned by Disability Services to a student will result in a hold being placed on the student’s account if the college deems the equipment to be lost, damaged, or destroyed. If the item is not returned the college will assess the replacement cost by adding it to the student’s bill and placing a hold on the student’s account.
- The Disability Services office will provide an Assistive Listening Device (ALD) for students with hearing impairments to have better auditory access to class lectures. Please see the Director of Disability Services to check out an ALD.
- Disability Services has a small number of Victor Reader Streams available for students to listen to audio DAISY formats and text files that are not in the DAISY format. Disability Services has several to loan out to students on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- The Livescribe smart pen is a recording device equipped with a microphone to record audio and speaker for playback. The pen records audio information and allows the user to replay portions of the recording by tapping on the digital paper. Users can upload notes to Evernote or to a computer. Disability Services has several to loan out to students on a first-come, first-serve basis.
