Popular Assistive Technology for College Students

Hard Copies of Textbooks: 

• Kurzweil  3000 (pdf)--Text-to-speech (TTS) for reading textbook aloud.

• Seeing AI and TextGrabber--Take a photo of text so it can be read aloud.

Online Textbooks and Materials: 

• Chrome Extensions (pdf)--TTS for reading aloud information on the web, online textbooks, etc.

• Microsoft Edge--Read aloud PDFs, as well as Read aloud web pages and ebooks.

• Redshelf TTS-Text-to-speech is available in Redshelf.

• TTS on IOS devices (pdf)--Read aloud on your iPhone/iPad.

• TTS on Android devices--Read aloud on your Android device.

• Mac OS Spoken Content--Select text and click Opt + Esc.

PDFs:

• Upload to Kurzweil  3000 (pdf)--Text-to-speech (TTS) for reading textbook aloud.

• Use the Read Aloud Option in Acrobat Reader. 

Canvas and Textbook PDFs in Canvas: 

• Immersive Reader (IR)--TTS for reading aloud in Canvas (and Microsoft Word).  

• Alternative Formats in Canvas allows access to Immersive Reader, Audio, Beeline Reader, etc.

Students with Vision Impairments:

• VoiceOver, JAWS, and NVDA--Screen readers for students with vision impairment.

• Zoomtext, Ctrl + or -, etc. --Magnification for students with low vision.

Echo Pen (pdf)--Pen that records lectures and syncs recording with handwritten notes.

Voice Memo (IOS) (pdf)--Record lectures on your iPhone/iPad

Android Recording Apps--Recording apps for Android devices.

Otter--App that records and transcribes.

Peer Note Taking: If eligible, you may request a peer notetaker.

GoodNotes, Notability, Glean, and Jamworks--Subscription-based note-taking apps with various functions that may include uploading slides, recording, transcribing, etc.

Google Voice Typing (pdf), Office 365 Dictate, Windows Touch Keyboard Microphone and  Mac Dictation--Type using your voice.

VoiceOver, JAWS, and NVDA--Screen readers for students with vision impairment.

Reading Aloud Continued:

Steps for Text-to-Speech on iPhone:

1. Enable Features: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content and turn on Speak Selection.

2. Take Photo: Open the Camera app, point it at the text, and tap the Live Text icon (square with lines) that appears in the corner, or simply take the photo.

3. Select Text: Open the image in the Photos app. Press and hold on the text, then drag the grab points to select the specific text, or tap "Select All".

4. Read Aloud: In the pop-up menu that appears above the selected text, tap Speak.

5. Alternative (Speak Screen): Go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content and turn on Speak Screen. Swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to have the iPhone read all text in the photo. 

SQR3 or SQR3 (pdf)--A reading method that promotes enhanced learning of reading material.

Quizlet or Knowt (free)—Electronic flashcards and other study skills tools.

Cornell Note-Taking Method (CNT) Video and CNT template—CNT can be utilized for taking notes while reading or in class.

Tips to creating flashcards--Make your own flashcards for deeper learning

Study Smarter, Not Harder--Tips to studying more efficiently.

Time-Management--Tips to using a calendar for managing your study time.

Spelling--Tips to improving your spelling.