This page includes advice, guidance, and links to a variety of digital accessibility tools. If you need support with these tools, please contact inclusivesupport@brookes.ac.uk to find out how to access accessibility software to support your studies.
Guidance for students
The following tools will help you to convert different types of web content to alternative or editable formats.
Free to use
- Alternative Formats Ally: All Moodle users can use the Alternative Formats icon to download files in different formats. When your instructor adds a File or Folder resource to Moodle, the Alternative Formats Ally icon will be automatically added, which all users can see.
The following tools will help you to convert different types of web and digital content to alternative or editable formats.
Free to use to convert files
- Available on AppsAnywhere
- ClaroRead: PDF Reader for your mobile device with features to increase readability of documents.
- Available from Learning Resources
- Sensus Access: Use the Sensus Access service to convert a document from an inaccessible format (eg. image only PDF file, JPEG pictures, Powerpoint presentations) into an accessible format, including e-book, MP3 or DAISY audio book or digital braille.
Free to use to have text read aloud
- ClaroRead: Chrome browser extension offers limited text to speech on web pages.
- MS Word 365 Learning Tools
- Use your free Brookes license for Microsoft Office 365.
- Immersive Reader - includes both a unique text view profile (to adjust colour, line length, and reading rule) and text to speech.
- Read Aloud - includes text to speech.
- HelperBird: Browser extension for text to speech conversion for web pages, ebooks and pdfs.
Specialist tools for conversion and text to speech available from the Assistive Technology Suites
- Dragon: is speech recognition software that allows you to dictate content (and learns your voice profile) but also allows you to command / navigate your computer without using a mouse/keyboard. Available on selected PCs in the AT suites.
The following tools are screen readers which allow you to access things on your screen including course content, email, applications, and more. Most can also provide Braille output if you require it and have the related digital Braille reader equipment available.
Free to use
- NVDA: Free open source screen reader for Windows.
- Narrator for Windows 10.
- VoicOver Built in Screen Reader: for use with Mac OS, including desktop computers, iPhone, and iPad.
- ChromeVox: for use with Google Chrome OS, including Chromebooks.
- Talkback Screen Reader for Android: eyes-free control of your Android devices.
Available for short-term loan or through a free trial (for short term access)
- Supernova-Dolphin Screen Reader: Screen reader for Windows with a 30 day trial version or via USB copies available from the Assistive Technology Suites.
Specialist tools available for purchase
- JAWS Screen Reader: A professional workplace tool for Windows.
The following tools are which will increase the size of text on a screen.
Available for short-term loan or through a free trial (for short term access)
- Supernova-Dolphin: Screen reader for Windows with a 30 day trial version or via USB copies available from the Assistive Technology Suites. Enlarges (up to 64 times magnification) all or part of screen content while maintening sharpness and clarity, can be combined with text to speech or screen reader.
- Zoomtext Screen magnifier for Windows: Enlarges all or part of screen content while maintening sharpness and clarity, combined with text to speech.
The following tools will help you adjust how different resources look on your screen.
Free to use
- MS Word 365 Learning Tools
- Use your free Brookes license for Microsoft Office 365.
- Immersive Reader - includes both a unique text view profile (to adjust colour, line length, and reading rule) and text to speech.
- My StudyBar for Windows: T-Bar tool that allows you to customise font and colour backgrounds
Available on AppsAnywhere
- ClaroRead: PDF Reader for your mobile device with features to increase readability of documents, including different options to tint your screen.
For more information on how to change webpage settings, please see this guidance document from Inclusive Support.
The following tools will read the text on a digital resource aloud.
Free to use to have text read aloud
- ClaroRead: Chrome browser extension offers limited text to speech on web pages.
- MS Word 365 Learning Tools
- Use your free Brookes license for Microsoft Office 365.
- Immersive Reader - includes both a unique text view profile (to adjust colour, line length, and reading rule) and text to speech.
- Read Aloud - includes text to speech.
- HelperBird: Browser extension for text to speech conversion for web pages, ebooks and pdfs.
Specialist tools for conversion and text to speech available from the Assistive Technology Suites
- Dragon: is speech recognition software that allows you to dictate content (and learns your voice profile) but also allows you to command / navigate your computer without using a mouse/keyboard. Available on selected PCs in the AT suites.
If a video or recording is made available on Moodle or other Brookes platform, please contact your tutor in the first instance if there are missing captions or if the captions are too difficult to read.
If you need a video transcribed, or if a recording needs to have captions added please email digital-accessibility@brookes.ac.uk for assistance.
Available through a free trial (for short term access)
- Otter AI: Speech to text: A subscription service that provides audio transcription. Automated audio transcription with summary keywords, highlights, and full audio transcripts. If you subscribe you receive 600 mins free every month.
The following tools will help you to convert different types of web content to alternative or editable formats.
Free to use to convert files on Moodle.
- Alternative Formats Ally: All Moodle users can use the Alternative Formats icon to download files in different formats. When your instructor adds a File or Folder resource to Moodle, the Alternative Formats Ally icon will be automatically added, which all users can see.
Free to use to convert files not on Moodle.
- Available on AppsAnywhere
- ClaroRead: PDF Reader for your mobile device with features to increase readability of documents.
- Available from Learning Resources
- Sensus Access: Use the Sensus Access service to convert a document from an inaccessible format (eg. image only PDF file, JPEG pictures, Powerpoint presentations) into an accessible format, including e-book, MP3 or DAISY audio book or digital braille.
The following tools will help you to use voice controlled screen navigation. dictate content and produce good notes.
Free to use or built-in
- Voice type: In Google Apps you can use your voice to dictate and format content and navigate within a document.
- Dictate: In MS Office you can use your voice to dictate and format content and navigate within a document.
Specialist tools favailable from the Assistive Technology Suites
- Dragon: is speech recognition software that allows you to dictate content (and learns your voice profile) but also allows you to command / navigate your computer without using a mouse/keyboard. Available on selected PCs in the AT suites.
The following tools will read the text on a digital resource aloud.
Free to use to have text read aloud
- ClaroRead: Chrome browser extension offers limited text to speech on web pages.
- MS Word 365 Learning Tools
- Use your free Brookes license for Microsoft Office 365.
- Immersive Reader - includes both a unique text view profile (to adjust colour, line length, and reading rule) and text to speech.
- Read Aloud - includes text to speech.
- HelperBird: Browser extension for text to speech conversion for web pages, ebooks and pdfs.
Specialist tools for conversion and text to speech available from the Assistive Technology Suites
- Dragon: is speech recognition software that allows you to dictate content (and learns your voice profile) but also allows you to command / navigate your computer without using a mouse/keyboard. Available on selected PCs in the AT suites.
The following tools will help you to organise your ideas and notes into more accessible formats.
Free to use
- ClaroIdeas: A free app with a Google Chrome extension that allows the creation and editing of concept or idea maps using visual components.
- Coggle: A free mindmapping app with a Google Chrome extension with a variety of text and multimedia options.
- Text to speech – reading text aloud, articles or proofreading your work.
- Dictation – of text or voice commanding your PC (rather than mouse or keyboard).
- Audio note-taking - linking slides, recording and notes (text or voice).
- Screen reader – hotkeys for navigating screen content and reads screen details (links, lists, buttons, images etc).
The following tools will help you to use voice controlled screen navigation. dictate content and produce good notes.
Free to use or built-in
- Voice type: In Google Apps you can use your voice to dictate and format content and navigate within a document.
- Dictate: In MS Office you can use your voice to dictate and format content and navigate within a document.
Specialist tools favailable from the Assistive Technology Suites
- Dragon: is speech recognition software that allows you to dictate content (and learns your voice profile) but also allows you to command / navigate your computer without using a mouse/keyboard. Available on selected PCs in the AT suites.
The following tools will help you to organise your ideas and notes into more accessible formats.
Free to use
- ClaroIdeas: A free app with a Google Chrome extension that allows the creation and editing of concept or idea maps using visual components.
- Coggle: A free mindmapping app with a Google Chrome extension with a variety of text and multimedia options.
One-to-One Support
Further support is available via the Inclusive Support team and the Centre for Academic Development on how to use common applications like Google Slides and MS PowerPoint to organise your ideas, content, and presentations.
- Text to speech – reading text aloud, articles or proofreading your work.
- Format enhancement - change colours, font size and spacing, increase or decrease magnification, text only / reflow.
- Dictation – of text or voice commanding your PC (rather than mouse or keyboard).
- Audio note-taking - linking slides, recording and notes (text or voice).
- Mindmapping – organising tasks and structuring work with visual representations.
- Screen reader – hotkeys for navigating screen content and reads screen details (links, lists, buttons, images etc).
Need more time to complete your assignments?
Look into the Exceptional Circumstances policy at Brookes and use the form to apply for more time. You can self-certify for a 24 hour grace period, but there are other options available.
The Inclusive Support team provides a varety of support services to help you complete your coursework at Brookes, including:
- Assessment for dyslexia and specific learning difficulties: to assist you in creating an Inclusive Support Plan where we can set up arrangements with other parts of the University so that reasonable adjustments are applied where applicable.
- Assistance with Exams and other assessments
- Blue Marking Cards: to attach to your assignments and exam papers so that your academic staff are aware of your specific learning difficulties and/or Autistic Spectrum Condition and will mark with an emphasis on content.
- Non-Medical Help and support: providing assistance with notetaking and other support.
The Assistive Technology Suites are available to All students and Staff - individual appointments and information about productivity and accessibility tools.
The Centre for Academic Development provides study skills sessions available to all students, individual and workshops, and online resources to improve academic outcomes.
The Disabled Students' Allowance provides funding to support eligible students with disabilities, special learning difficulties, and dyslexia.