Assistive Technology
What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive Technology Video Links to an external site.
According to the Assistive Technology Industry Association, Assistive Technology (AT) is, "any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities." In plain English, it means a device that can help a person through daily life. For example, if I have trouble walking, I may use a cane or walker. If I can't see well, my glasses assist me with that. Here are come common examples:
- Glasses
- Computer Software
- Prosthetic limbs
- Hearing Aids
- Closed Captioning
Although these technologies are often designed for folks with disabilities, they benefit us all. We turn on captions for a video if we can't hear dialogue clearly or if we're in a crowd and don't want to disturb others with phone noise. A person walking baby in a stroller will be grateful for the curb cutout at a traffic intersection.
What's Available through ASC
Kurzweil 3000
Video: Kurzweil 3000 Quick Overview Links to an external site.
Kurzweil 3000 is reading, writing, and learning software designed for folks with learning differences. Some of its functions include:
- reading aloud
- text highlighting in different colors
- choices of human sounding voices
- reading speed adjustment
- screen size adjustment
- dictionary
- voice notes
- sticky notes
Smart Pen
The Livescribe Echo Smartpen II is a audio recording pen that allows you to listen to lectures after you are done writing notes and download them to your computer or phone. This new version of the smart pen connects to your phone via bluetooth which allows you to see the notes real time as you are writing them. This is the only device that provides multiple language accommodations.
If you are an avid note taker this device will definitely help you in the classroom and during tutoring/SI sessions.
Speech-to-Text
Speech to Speech (TTS) software: This software allows users, with a microphone, to have spoken words transcribed into digital text, such as an MS word or text file.
Otter AI
Otter AI is a speech-to-text program that generates written transcriptions of speech. It is useful for note taking and for drafting essays. It requires very little training. Students can request Otter AI through the Alternate Media Specialist for detailed demonstrations and assistance.
Dragon Naturally Speaking
Dragon Naturally Speaking is a speech recognition program that allows users to speak into a microphone to create and edit text and also to manipulate their computers while surfing the web or reading email and performing other tasks. It generates a voice profile for each user and uses a series of commands to perform its tasks. Dragon does take some time to learn and requires training, depending on how much the user wants to do.
Google Voice Type
Google Voice type works with Google Docs. With Google Docs, you can talk into your microphone and have Google Docs transcribe the words for you. You can also use this feature to transcribe meetings and audio recordings, or simply when you want to write faster than you can type.
CCTV
This is a closed circuit television which can be used to enlarge text. The user places printed reading material on a plate under the camera and uses controls to make the image larger or smaller or to reverse the color scheme of the material to white-on-black
JAWS ZoomText Fusion
This is screen reading computer softare used by blind folks and those with visual disabilities to control computers to read websites, create documents, and/or read emails.
JAWS navigates through documents by reading headings.
Zoomtext enlarges all aspects of the computer screen, including menus, clock, and so forth.
For any questions or assistance regarding alternative media formats, please contact Bianca Hernández, the Alternate Media Specialist, email: bihernan@cabrillo.edu. Who can provide guidance and support for all inquiries related to alternate media and assistive technology at the Accessibility Support Center.