Assistive Technology support

News Drop-in AT session at Harcourt 19th Oct 2022, until 3pm

Announcement There are two place you could create alternate formats: Moodle - offers Alternative Format option A⇓ - these can include tagged PDF (works better with AT), audio, electronic braille and ePub formats; SensusAccess (Library pages) - 4 step process for alternative formats for documents found outside moodle. Use your Brookes email to receive the new format.

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Assistive or Academic Technology (AT) can be used to access content or to help with more effective study/working, needed perhaps due to injury (temporary or permanent), health issues, a disability, age or specific learning difficulty (SpLD).

AT works with accessible materials to help you navigate systems like Moodle.

Appointments

Assistive Technology Suites

Tools and resources

Software and equipment for study

All Brookes students can book an appointment to discuss and explore potential tools to help with studies and remote working on their own devices, such as:

Extra features in the programmes you use all the time (MS Office, Google apps).
Browser extensions and operating system features.
Recommendations for study-related apps for mobile phones and tablets.

Learning and AT

There can be challenges to learning: accessing content; personal processing speed (working memory issues); sensory distraction.

AT can be used in different ways at all stages of absorbing and using new information:

Input: Improve access to new information / content.
Processing: Assimilate, understand what you have been taught / need to learn.
Output: Show learning, creating output for assignments / exams.

New software for study

MS Office 365 - Immersive reader (you can switch captions on for the video)
MS Office 365 - Editor on Home tab: feedback on Clarity, Formality and Conciseness
HelperBird - AT tools for your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
Windows user - Try MyStudyBar - collection of free download AT and links to training videos
For ideas look at Techability - see the poster 'Making technology work for you'
My Computer My Way - AbilityNet

Assistive Technology Suites

The Assistive Technology Suites (ATS) house learning technology for exclusive independent use by students who are registered with the Inclusive Support Service. Contact us on ATS@brookes.ac.uk for more information or about registering for access.

What is available in the ATS?

Some of the technology available in the ATS includes:

mind mapping software that helps you plan essays and revise for exams.
text to speech software and headphones so that you can listen to electronic text read aloud.
scanners to convert print into electronic text, which can then be listened to.
screen reading software which reads out the whole screen.
screen magnification software which expands a part of the screen so it can be seen more easily.
magnifiers which display enlarged images of books.
ergonomic equipment such as ergonomic chairs, keyboards, mice and adjustable desks.
speech to text software that writes down what you say.

If you would like to use the room, please contact your disability adviser.

What is available on loan from the ATS?

Microphones
Magnifier on USB
Audio notetaking software

“A quiet place to think and work. ”

Assistive Technology Suites user

ATS locations

Online

Appointments are available Tuesday - Thursday from 9.00am on request (via Google Meetings, Google Hangouts, etc). Click the link to join the meeting (Google calendar appointment or email invite).
Information about useful software built into your operating system or common software (MS Office and Google Apps) is available.
Brookes Networked PCs offer ClaroRead (text to speech - reading aloud) in Apps Anywhere.

Headington Campus

The Library, John Henry Brookes Building, Headington Campus

During semester:

Use the enquiry form or email to arrange an online session.
Note: Outside semester, email to agree a time for an online session via Google Meetings.

Swindon Campus

JOF.G.09b, The Library, Joel Joffe Building, Swindon Campus

During semester:

Use the booking form or email AT support to arrange an online session.
Note: Outside semester, email to agree a time for an online session via Google Meetings.

Wheatley Campus - access available

H.205, The Library, Wheatley Campus

Harcourt Hill Campus - access available on request

G.LG.04, G Building, Harcourt Hill Campus

“If I had tried out the various accessible software and technology options in the ATS, before my needs assessment, I could have benefited even more.”

Assistive Technology Suites user

AT tools and resources

AT example functions

Text to speech (TTS) helps text impairment by reading texts or web page content out loud, students often use it to listen to their written work for proof reading (you can also convert text to a downloadable recording to listen to away from the screen).
Screen readers read the whole screen, including tabs, titles, and links to allow easier navigation of a screen you can’t see.
Magnification enlarges the whole screen or specific sections.
Speech (to text) allows users to dictate text without focusing on spelling, but can also be used to command the computer’s actions without using mouse or keyboard.
Videos with captions (YouTube/Panopto/Zoom has basic auto-caption capability built-in).
Mind-mapping offers a visual representation for holistic, non-linear thinking used for notes, planning and structuring:

Capturing ideas that come quickly or in no specific order.
Grouping ideas to see themes, topics or processes.
Structuring responses and bringing together evidence and examples.
Rehearsing recall of ideas for revision.

Assistive / Academic Technology covers physical resources, IT hardware or software, but it doesn't have to be high tech.

AT physical resources

Coloured paper, high lighters and overlays etc can help with visual perception of content.

AT hardware

AT tools may be hardware such as a large screen, reading pen, hearing aids, wireless microphones for teaching staff, printer/scanner, high contrast or large font keyboards and specialist mouse formats.

AT software

Software can read text aloud to you, allow text creation by dictation, magnify and read screen details, or let you plan in a visual way, mind-maps. It can allow you to navigate without a mouse by hotkey combinations or alternatively without a keyboard by voice.
Useful tools are found at various levels of your IT, built-in to the operating system (especially Mac) but also in applications like MS Office and Google apps, or extensions to your browser as well as specialist software. There are also Apps for your mobile device to record, magnify, scan, help with time management or read aloud.
Depending on where it is found it may be free in existing software you are using. Specialist software may have a one off cost to purchase or an annual / course length subscription.

ClaroRead (££/free)

Text to speech: ClaroRead desktop version is available on AppsAnywhere, Brookes pooled room computers; single payment perpetual licence available. ClaroRead Chrome browser extension offers limited text to speech on web pages.

Inspiration (£)

Inspiration is mindmapping software that allows you to export your map and notes to MS Word, available on AppsAnywhere Brookes pooled room computers. Buy as a single payment perpetual licence.

Dragon (££££)

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.

NVDA - free

NVDA is screen reader software for Windows PCs which allows you to hear everything that is on the screen, headings, lists, buttons alt text for images and text. It works in browsers (Chrome, Firefox) and Office programs (Word & Excel).

Speechify - (£)

Speechify is a chrome extension, for text to speech - an AI reader, with a premium subscription version. It works on Chrome, Android and iOS platforms.