Assistive Computer Technology at UNCG
Assistive technology is any item that can increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Those needing assistive technology can include people with visual or physical impairments (including carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive stress injuries) or learning disabilities.
Both the Office of Disability Services (ODS) and Information Technology Services (ITS) provide support for assistive technology.
What kinds of assistive technology are available in UNCG's computer labs?
UNCG's assistive technology falls in three broad categories described in more detail below: screen magnifiers, screen and document readers, and a voice recgonition program. In addition, the Accessibility Options in Windows 98 have been enabled.
- ZoomText
ZoomText is a screen magnifier and reader program that can be accessed from any computer on campus. An icon for ZoomText (version 8.1) will be on all the desktops in the campus computer labs in the fall semester of 2004 (earlier versions of ZoomText would not work with JAWS described below, so it was temporarily removed from the labs).
- JAWS
JAWS is a screen reader program which converts written text on the screen to speech. It can be accessed from any computer on campus through the network. It can be found in the Assistive Technology folder in the Academic (Lab Use) folder.
- Kurzweil
Kurzweil is both a screen reader program and a "scan and read" program. It will read electronic documents and will also, when connected to a scanner, allow users to scan in documents which it then converts to speech. It can be found in the Assistive Technology area of the SuperLab.
- Dragon Naturally Speaking
Dragon Naturally Speaking is a voice recognition program which allows the user to create documents by speaking into a microphone. Users store their voice files in their network space. It can be found in the Assistive Technology area of the SuperLab and in the Office of Disability Services.
- Microsoft Accessibility Help
- Microsoft's Accessibility Home Page
- Accessibility Options in Windows XP
- Windows Keyboard Guides
- Windows Accessibility Wizard
You can customize Windows XP to your own specifications. Use the Accessibility Wizard that is on the Start Button Menu under Programs.
- Netscape Accessibility Features
This page contains links to various documents concerning Netscape's accessibility features
Hint: You can increase the font size in Web pages being displayed in Netscape by pressing CONTROL+]. You can return to normal size by pressing CONTROL+[.
Assistive Technology Resources
Books
- Computer and Web Resources for People with Disabilities, 3rd Edition by The Alliance for Technology Access (Alameda, CA: Hunter House Publishers, 2000)
Web Pages
- The Adaptech Project Resource Page
The Adaptech Project conducts research on the use of computer, information and adaptive technologies by Canadian college, and University students with disabilities.
- The Adaptive Technology Resource Centre Technical Glossary
Descriptions of broad categories of adaptive technologies with links to various products and their vendors.
- Apple's Accessibility Home Page
This is the place to start for information about obtaining and configuring Apple products. It also provides links to other vendors' accessibility product
- Center for Accessible Technology
From their Web site: "Our purpose is to provide information and services supporting technology use that respects individual differences, encourages each person's right to make informed choices and builds the community's capacity to support the assistive technology user."
- The High Tech Center Training Unit of the California Community Colleges
This is an extremely useful site with detailed information about various types of assistive technology and links to other sites.
- The N.C. Assistive Technology Project
From their Web site: "The N.C. Assistive Technology Project is creating a statewide system to coordinate assistive technology services."
- Pink Flamingo's Accessibility Issues and Resources for Online Educators