Assistive or Adaptive technology (AT) is a generic term to include any equipment, software, system or product used by a person with a functional impact performing specific tasks, mobility challenges, gaining access to information; and to help facilitate learning, reading and writing. It promotes greater independence for people in their learning environments and provides equity in their studies. Based on your needs, Accessibility Services offers information and the opportunity to explore a variety of adaptive technology that support student success.
Visit the pages below to learn more about each adaptive technology option:
- Read & Write: Reading and Writing support
- Kurzweil: Text-to-speech
- ZoomText: Screen magnification
- Dragon Naturally Speaking: speech-to-text
- Mac Dictation: Speech-to-text
- Microsoft Word Dictation: Speech-to-text
- NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access): Screen reader
- Audiobooks
Current 黑料爆料网 students can access a free download of Read & Write for home use in addition to use on campus in our student computer labs and the library.
Read & Write is a literacy software that supports students with reading, writing, and study skills. It has an easy-to-use toolbar that the user can customize for seamless integration in common programs such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Adobe Reader (PDF) and other documents.
Read & Write is available for Windows, Mac, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, iPad and Android. It is recommended to use Google Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox web browsers.
If you are ready to begin using Read & Write please read the Privacy Notice and Disclosure below.
Read & Write download links
Read and Write for working with documents that you have downloaded and saved to device:
Read and Write for working with online platforms (ie. Websites, Blackboard, etc.)
- Read & Write Chrome extensions (all 3 are required for full functionality):
Instructions (Application)
- Install software on your computer
- Click on the Purple Puzzle Piece 鈥渞w鈥
- Logging in:
- Select 鈥淟ogin with Microsoft鈥
- Username: Your 黑料爆料网 Student Email Example: myname7@student.douglascollege.ca
- Password: Use the password that you use to log into Blackboard
Additional Resources
PC/WINDOWS
MAC/OS
iPad
Platform Support
Kurzweil provides literacy support for those who struggle with literacy both inside and outside of the classroom. It has built-in features for reading, writing and study skills to help support student success in becoming independent learners. This application provides tools to assist students in becoming more organized, independent, improve study skills and independently complete assignments, tests and exams.
Kurzweil can support you in the following ways:
Reading
- Use of multi-lingual text-to-speech capabilities
- Extensive vocabulary support and study guides
- Access to different digital formats, online text and printed materials
- Magnify text for readers
- Highlighting, bookmarking, extracting information
Writing
- Talking word processor
- Word prediction, spell checker, grammar checker
- Pre-made graphic organizers
- Publishing to multiple file types
To read more on the features Kurzweil offers please visit: If you are interested in using Kurzweil please follow the below instructions.
Instructions (Application)
- Create Account:
- Use College email, No External ID
- You will be sent a link to your 黑料爆料网 e-mail to change your password
- Download Kurzweil by going to:
- Windows:
- Mac:
- Click the first option (subscription/web license)
- Note: It may take 1hr+ to download
ZoomText is a software program that is a fully integrated magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users. The Magnifier/Reader enlarges everything on your computer screen, echoes your typing and essential program activity, and automatically reads documents, web pages and e-mails.
ZoomText offers dual monitor support to support you to choose which part of the screen is being magnified. It also preserves legibility or text. There is an option for colour controls to improve clarity of the screen and ability to resize the cursor.
Zoomtext offers the following features:
- Magnification
- Enhanced navigation
- Screen Magnifier/reader
- Webpage search
To explore all of the ZoomText features you can find a comprehensive list here:
If you are interested in purchasing this software for home use you can find out more information here: Students may be eligible to receive this software on an AT-BC device if you are eligible. Connect with your Accessibility Specialist to further discuss.
Additional Resources:
Dragon speech recognition software supports students in improving their core reading and writing skills, enhance their educational experience, support students with language-based learning disabilities as well as English language learners.
Dragon allows you to dictate papers, assignments and tests faster than typing. It allows you to control your computer desktop and applications by navigating with voice controls. Dragon is able to support students with barriers outputting information by hand. The software allows you to not require the use of hands for keyboarding. This is a great software option for students who require to dictate their content rather than write or type.
If you are interested in exploring this software please connect with your Accessibility Specialist to further discuss as you may be eligible for support from AT-BC.
Additional Resources:
Mac Dictation is software built directly into your Mac Accessibility features that allows you to navigate and interact with your Mac through voice controls. You have the ability to fully control your Mac and applications by simple voice commands. This software is a great option for students who own a Mac and who learn best by dictating their information verbally or who might have limited mobility and require the use of voice commands.
Mac Dictation is simple to use, easy to set-up on your own device and allows customization of the voice commands and vocabulary.
If you are interested in learning more about Mac Dictation please check out:
Additional Resources
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