Assistive Technology for Personal Use

Assistive Technology can be defined as any piece of software or hardware to assist you in completing a task.

Scott MacLeod is the Assistive Technology Specialist at SVSU. He works with students to identify appropriate software or hardware and assists students in learning how best to utilize the program for academic success.  To schedule an appointment with Scott MacLeod or for more information on assistive technology, contact Disability Services at (989) 964-7000.  
Students can purchase or download a copy of the software or equipment for their personal use.     

Frequent recommendations include: 
Screen Readers
Writing Programs
Voice Recognition Programs
Recording Devices
Multifunction Tools
Visual Impairment Programs

Screen Readers:

Screen readers are text-to-speech software programs that enable the computer to read what is on the computer screen. Some allow the text file to be converted into an audio file for use on an iPod or MP3 player. Screen readers widely used here at SVSU include:

Natural Reader http://www.naturalreaders.com/download.htm

Text a Loud  http://nextup.com

Wordtalk, A free Add-in for Microsoft office Word  http://www.wordtalk.org.uk/Home/

Writing Programs:

Offer a variety of assistance with different parts of writing, prewriting or editing papers. Different programs can help with advanced spell checks, homonym checks, grammar tips, brainstorming or organizing. Examples include:

Ginger  http://www.gingersoftware.com/

Writer's workbench  http://www.writersworkbench.com/

Inspiration  http://www.inspiration.com/

Webspiration http://www.webspirationpro.com/

Grammarly http://www.grammarly.com/

Voice-Recognition Programs:

Voice-Recognition Programs are speech-to-text programs that allow students to dictate papers into the computer.

Dragon Naturally Speaking  http://www.nuance.com/dragon/index.htm

Recording Devices or Note Taking Assistance:

Livescirbe Echo Pen http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/

Audio Notetaker  http://www.audionotetaker.com/

Multifunction Software/Tools:

Multifunction software/tools are defined as a program or tool that is use for more the one function. Popular examples Include:

Key to Access (Premier to Go) http://www.readingmadeeasy.ca/products/premiertogo.html

Read and Write Gold http://www.texthelp.com/North-America

Visual Impairment Programs:

JAWS  http://www.freedomscientific.com/jaws-hq.asp

ZoomText  http://www.boundlessat.com/ZoomText

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