Student using a assistive technology device

Assistive Technology and Resources

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology is any device, software, equipment or tool that helps people with disabilities improve, maintain or increase their functional capabilities. Essentially, the tools and software that help you do what you want more quickly, easily or independently. Although Assistive Technology has traditionally been developed for people with disabilities, the applicability of much of this technology has been found to be useful to almost all people at some point throughout their lives.

Approximately 75% of college students with a disability who would qualify for Assistive Technology do not know what Assistive Technology is and do not know there are tools and programs available to support them prior to starting college. Students who have access to these tools and resources prior to starting classes feel more prepared for their classes and the tasks required of them in a college setting. With adequate training and student support resources, students come to TCC with a greater sense of purpose and are confident to start their college journey.

Assistive Technology Available to Access Services Students

The following Assistive Technology software programs and/or equipment are available for loan for students who work with the Access Services and qualify for use. Some of these items may be checked out for personal and classroom use.


Text-to-Speech (TTS) Support

Text-to-Speech uses speech synthesis technology to convert onscreen text into words spoken aloud. This is beneficial to a variety of users, such as English as a Second Language (ESL) students, people with visual disabilities, people with learning disabilities, and those with time constraints who might want to multitask while listening to papers, articles, books, or web pages being read aloud.

NaturalReader

NaturalReader is a text-to-speech software with natural sounding voices. This easy-to-use software can convert any written text such as Microsoft Word, web pages, PDF files, and eBooks into spoken words. NaturalReader can also convert any written text into audio files such as MP3 or WAV. NaturalReader has many other functions, such as optical character recognition (OCR). The OCR function can convert printed characters into digital text and it is up to 99% accurate. This allows you to listen to your printed files or edit in a word-processing program.

Central Access Reader (CAR)

CAR is a free, open source, text-to- speech application designed specifically for students with print-related disabilities. CAR reads Word documents and pasted text using the voice installed on your computer. CAR has an intuitive interface.

Microsoft Edge Browser

Read Aloud uses text-to-speech (TTS) technology to convert webpage text to audio. Supports 40+ languages. It works on a variety of websites, including news sites, blogs, fan fiction, publications, textbooks, school and class websites, and online course materials.

Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader

Speech-to-Text (STT) and Speech Recognition

Speech-to-Text allows users to speak into an external microphone or one built into their devices and have their spoken words converted to text on screen. STT uses speech recognition technology. Speech recognition also allows users to navigate some programs through speech the same way they would by hand.

Google

Note-Taking Support

Otter AI

Otter AI turns your voice conversations into smart notes that you can easily search and share. You can use it to take notes at your meetings and interviews, capture your thoughts and ideas while you are driving in the car, and transcribe your existing recordings and podcasts. You can even snap photos (e.g. of a whiteboard, or a speaker or presentation slide at an event) during a recording and they will be inserted in line with your transcripts. The possibilities are endless.

Starter Guide  |  Intro to Otter Voice Meeting Notes

Glean AI

With Glean, you never have to worry about missing important information again. Record classes in full, listen back at your own pace and annotate with different note types to create a complete learning resource - tailored to you. You can even transcribe the audio to text, add slides as well as setting yourself tasks and adding images.

Glean 3 min video  |  Requesting and using transcription  |  Is Glean accessible?  
The Glean Skills Portal  |  Audio Import

Screen Readers

Screen readers are applications, which enable blind and low-vision individuals to use computers and mobile devices. Screen readers provide voice (text-to-speech) and braille output for events displayed on the computer screen. With a screen reader, a blind person can use many popular and professional applications available on the market including but not limited to Microsoft Office, browsers, mail clients, cloud storage, and shared documents.

JAWS, ZoomText, or Fusion

JAWS provides screen reading functionality to its users. It also provides braille output for most computer applications.

ZoomText is a magnification and reading functionality for users with low-vision. It can enlarge a computer screen as well as read any documentation needed.

Fusion is a program that combines the features from JAWS and ZoomText. It can enlarge your screen as well as read any text from documents as needed.

If you are a student with an active TCC student email, you are entitled to receive an annual free home JAWS, ZoomText, or Fusion licenses for your personally owned equipment.

Register for JAWS, ZoomText, Fusion

Non-Visual Desktop Access (NVDA)

NVDA is a computer screen-reader program for Windows, developed by NV Access Limited. It is a free, open-source program. NVDA is available in two versions: an app which is installed on a computer, and a mobile version which can be kept on a USB drive and used on any Windows computer. Like other screen readers, NVDA is delivered with multilingual voices, but due to a limited quality of Espeak speech, third-party voices may be needed.

NVDA user guide  |  Learn NVDA from American Foundation for the Blind

Equipment

Currently registered Access Services Students are eligible to check out equipment with approved accommodations. Equipment is checked out quarterly or available to use on site. Below are just a few pieces of equipment borrow.

CloverBook Pro

CloverBook Pro is a portable, foldable, and versatile magnifier with touchscreen, OCR, and distance camera.

Experience the convenience of a 12.5" Full HD touchscreen video magnifier that adapts to your needs effortlessly. The CloverBook Pro offers a trio of viewing modes, including near, self, and distance views, along with a cutting-edge text-to-speech feature. All of this is wrapped up in an incredibly compact and foldable design, weighing less than 5lbs for ultimate portability and convenience.

black device with screen and buttons below screen

Acuity 22 Speech

The Acuity 22 Speech is a large 22-inch touchscreen desktop magnifier with speech. Read documents aloud using multiple languages. View your reading materials clearly and even examine the fine details of photos.

screen with bed below that magnifies whatever is on the bed

Clover 6HD

The Clover 6HD is a handheld video magnifier that offers the perfect combination of compact size, easy-to-use features and superior image quality. With two 13 mega-pixel cameras and an HD screen. The Clover 6 HD produces a crystal-clear image at any magnification level in any viewing mode.

device with screen and buttons on the side of the screen that magnifies text below the device

Digital Voice Recorder-MP3

The Aiworth digital recorder is a device to record your lectures to be played back later. The digital recorder has 16 levels to adjust the play speed, play faster, and jump to the point you exactly want to playback. You can also play slowly to let you hear every single word clearly.

small gray device with LCD screen and buttons

Roger On NeckLoop

Roger On NeckLoop Hearing Aid Receiver Necklace is a wireless receiver that pairs with any hearing device with T-coil microphone. To be used in the classroom setting to help you understand speech better in a noisy environment or at a distance from your Professor.

silver device with two parts. one part has a string used to hang around the neck.

Echo Livescribe Smartpen

The Echo Livescribe Smartpen allows you to record your lecture to be played back later. It also can transcribe your handwritten notes. You can record and replay your audio files directly from the pen or your smart device.

large black digital pen with charging cable and notebook sitting on desk

J-Tech Digital Mouse

The J-Tech digital mouse is a vertical ergonomic mouse with a removable palm rest. The ergonomic design utilizes a natural “thumbs up” handshake position that places less pressure on the hand and wrist.

black computer mouse with buttons sitting on desk

Ergo Arm Rest

The Ergo Arm Rest is an articulating ergonomic support for elbows, forearms, and wrists while computing.

black pad attached to silver arm sitting on desk

Electronic Stethoscope

The electronic stethoscope allows students with hearing loss and or audio processing disorders to reduce noise and amplify sounds.

stethoscope with buttons resting on desk

C-Pen Reader 2

The C-Pen Reader 2 a compact pen-like device that scans printed text and reads it out loud. It features high quality naturally speaking English, American, Australian, British, Irish, Scottish and Indian accents, as well as Spanish (regular or Latin accents) and French voices. It contains a range of high-quality electronic dictionaries, built-in microphone, and many other functions to support readers.

A silver pen like device sitting on a table with some headphones and charging cable. Device holder is next to the device.

 
 

Video Tutorials for ReadSpeaker, Otter A.I. and more

 

 

Contact Us

For more information, please contact Laquida Williams, Assistive Technology Coordinator at 253-460-3995 or email: lwilliams@tacomacc.edu.