Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology: Resource Services
Access to Course Materials
eTexts, eBooks (electronic and audio publications)
Making Information Accessible to All Students - Preparing Accessible Word documents Word's style sheets: Style sheets should be used for titles, headings and paragraphs of text.
Making Information Available in Alternative Formats - It is recommended that as much information as possible be available in electronic format.
Timely availability of course materials - Timely access to course materials is seen by students with disability as critical for their academic success.
Where can I find electronic versions of text books? - Electronic versions of text books can often be obtained direct from the publishers.
Using Plain English to enhance readability - Many Australasians have difficulty reading a standard printed document. This may be for a variety of reasons.
Alternative Formats
Guidelines for the preparation of large print materials - The needs of individuals requiring Large Print format vary greatly. Large print is a format that is used by those with a range of print disabilities...
Guidelines to make Word and PDF documents accessible - There are two types of PDF files:
- PDF Text files use standard text format packaged as a PDF file to preserve layout and formatting features to ensure that the document always prints out as intended.
- PDF Image files are effectively images of documents packaged as a PDF file. Acrobat Reader allows these files to be read visually by the sighted user but can be problematic for those with limited vision.
Later versions of screen readers such as Window Eyes (as of 4.1) and Jaws (as of 3.7u) will read PDF text files. PDF image files cannot be read by screen readers and require further Optical Character Recognition (OCR) processing in order to convert them into text but the accuracy of such processing will vary.
It is usually better to provide textual material in Rich Text Format (RTF) to ensure that all formatting and textual information is retained for use by all vision impaired readers.
Please visit WebAim's comprehensive guide to creating PDF files that are accessible to people with a variety of disabilities at: www.webaim.org/techniques/acrobat
Andrew Downie presented a paper entitled “The Pros and Cons of PDF Files” at the Round Table Conference on Print Disability Sydney, 2004. The paper summarises developments which have made PDFs more broadly accessible. The paper may be downloaded at www.adcet.edu.au/View.aspx?id=5139
Music, maths or scientific notation - Text, music and scientific and mathematical notation can be translated into Braille using computer software and a Braille printer.
Providing information in audio format
Assistive Technology
Adaptive Equipment for People with Vision Impairments
Accessibility information resources
Accessibility Videos and Podcasts - DoIT (Division of Information Technology, University of Wisconsin-Madison) has produced three online videos: Introduction to the Screen Re! ader, Screen Magnification and the Web, Screen Readers and the Web
Assistive technology and computer adaptations
sayitT - sayitT is software technology to assist anyone who is losing or who has lost the power of speech, and who is losing or who has lost fine motor skills and muscle coordination in fingers and hands.
Screen readers and screen magnification software - Screen Reading Software Screen reader software such as Jaws allows the user to hear via a speech synthesiser or touch via a Braille display.
Software - Free enabling software for people with disability
Web accessibility - online access resources
What are the alternatives to using a computer mouse? - There is a range of software and hardware alternatives available for students who have a physical disability.
What Colour - What Colour is colour recognition software which can be downloaded free (1mb file) and gives the RGB (red, green, blue) and the HTML values of the colour.
What keyboard learning programs are available for students with disability? - Typequick for Students works as an animated movie telling the story of Kewala as he moves around a map of Australia while building touch typing skills.
Word of Mouth Technology - Specialising in assistive technology for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Assistive Technology: Resource Services
Assistive Technology Trainers Discussion List - A UK discussion list and resource links for Assistive Technology Trainers.
Closing the Gap - Closing the Gap is a US Assistive Technology Resource for Children and Adults with Special Needs.
Green PC - Green PC has refurbished computers at discount prices for people with a health care card, disability card or a pension card. Their computers range in price from $140 to $500. They have a 12 month back to base warranty and deliver all over Australia. For more information contact: Green PC on 1300 306 645.
Low cost/no cost Adaptive Tech. guide for PWD - "The low cost / no cost Adaptive Technology information pack was developed in conjunction with the Assistive Technology Forums held in Victoria in 2006 facilitated by the RDLO/DCO programs.
Voice recognition software email list
Text to Speech
Balabolka
DSpeech
CoolSpeech 5.0 - CoolSpeech is the text-to-speech program for Windows. This software allows you to listen to online news, email messages, clipboard text, keyboard typing and entire text documents spoken by sophisticated computer voices.
HumanWare Allies with Intel® Corporation on Distribution of New Intel® Reader
Jaws for Windows - On this page, you can discover more about JAWS, quickly and easily navigate to a number of online resources, download updates, and learn some valuable tips and tricks for using JAWS.
ReadPlease
ReadGOLD
KNFB Reader
Screen readers and screen magnification software - Screen Reading Software Screen reader software such as Jaws allows the user to hear via a speech synthesiser or touch via a Braille display.
SayzMe. Text to Speech reader - Sayz Me is a free text-to-speech reader for Windows. Text is typed in or copied from the clipboard and then read aloud. Words are highlighted as they are spoken. Select voice, adjust reading speed, voice pitch, font, font size and colour.
ScreenReader.net - ScreenReader.net provides the Thunder screenreader software, free for use by blind and visually impaired individuals. This allows the user to read Microsoft Word documents and web pages by having them read out aloud by the software
Speak Lite - Speak Lite can read your documents, emails, web pages or any text in the clipboard. You can control the speed and pitch and enjoy many characters with different expressions and animations.
SpokenText
Talking Clipboard - Talkingclipboard is a powerful freeware that includes Microsoft AgentTechnology. It sits in your tray and it can read any text in any window, just by selecting the text you want to be read and copying it into clipboard. Talkingclipboard will automatically start reading the text you've just pasted.
Text-To-Speech - TypeTalker (for Macintosh computers) is an editor that speaks aloud by using Text-To-Speech. It is able to create real-time pronunciation of text as data is being input.
Text to Speech (Mac) - An article written about the Apple Macintoshes Text to Speech capabilities.
Download TypeTalker for Macintosh
WinSpeech - WinSpeech reads text and produces speech to the audio output devices (sound card or PC internal speaker). WinSpeech takes text from files, Windows Clipboard, or through the DDE links from other Windows applications.
Voice Related software
Alarm Clocks: Speak to your Moshi Alarm Clock and it speaks back
Assistive Software: Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 - Information is provided about this voice recogntion software along with the facility to purchase it online.
DSpeech
Convert any text on your blog to speech with iSpeech
C-Print
Computing Out Loud -This site is intended to help people using speech recognition software. The focus is on desktop speech recognition including-- Dragon NaturallySpeaking and ViaVoice and Microsoft products.
Co:Writer SOLO - Co:Writer is word prediction software, it recognises and predicts words based on phonetic spellings. Co:Writer is for students who struggle with translating thoughts into writing. Students can effectively express ideas in writing, improve spelling and create coherent sentences.
Help Read (Freeware) - HELP ReadT is FREE software that reads along with you while you do the reading. Whether you're younger or older, new to reading or have your own library, HELP ReadT should be able to help you read more and understand more of what you read.
IBM ViaVoice Release 10 - Mac OS X Edition
iListen - Voice recognition software for Macs.
Japplis Speech
PowerTalk - automatic speech for PowerPoint presentations
Where can I find information on voice recognition software? - Voice or Speech Recognition programs allow the user to dictate information into the computer through a microphone and, to varying degrees, control
Service Providers and Commercial Products
Adaptive Equipment for People with Vision Impairments
National Bodies: Service Providers and Commercial ProductsAbility Technology - Ability provides a complete range of services designed to help a person with a disability benefit from modern technology. These services start from advice on suitable equipment, moving to the supply and customisation of systems, right through to training and support.
Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association
Artificial Limb Services Australia (ALSA)
General Adaptive Technology
HumanWare Australia
Information on Disability - Equipment Access Services (IDEAS)
Low cost/no cost Adaptive Technology guide for people with disabilities
Quantum Technology
Scooters Australia
TADAust Connect
Technical Solutions Australia
Web Accessibility Network for Australian Universities
WebAIM: Simulations - WebAIM has developed a number of simulations that provide a way to experience what it is like to: Use a Screen Reader; or what a user with Low-vision, Dyslexia Distractibility experiences when using a computer.
Word Prediction Software Comparison Chart - Spectronics. The people at Spectronics have evaluated a number of popular Word Prediction Software and their findings are included in an easy to read chart.Australian Capital Territory: Service Providers and Commercial Products
Technical Aid to the DisabledNew South Wales: Service Providers and Commercial Products
Ability Technology
Multi-Tems: Accessible Technology Consultants
Sydney Electric Wheelchair Rentals
Technical Aid to the DisabledNew Zealand: Service Providers and Commercial Products
Medix 21 Rehabilitation EquipmentQueensland: Service Providers and Commercial Products
Independent Living Center
Technical Aid to the DisabledSouth Australia: Service Providers and Commercial Products
Independent Living Center
RSB Adaptive Technology
Technical Aid to the DisabledVictoria: Service Providers and Commercial Products
Compic-Australia
Equipment Recycling Network Inc (ERNI)
Microsafe - Mobility Equipment
Mobility Plus Wheelchairs Australia
REHABTech
Robotron Group
Technical Aid to the DisabledWestern Australia: Service Providers and Commercial Products
Daily Living Products
Technical Aid to the Disabled
Western Australia Electronics- For deaf peopleInternational: Service Providers and Commercial Products
Accessibility Center
Blind + Linux = BLINUX
RJ Cooper's Software, Hardware, and Assistive Technology Services
Tools: Guidelines and Advice
Audit processes and reviewing provision for students with disability - The AUTC/Carrick funded CATS project has established benchmarks that could usefully be included in any review process.
Equipment - rehabilitation technology and mobility aids for people with disability
Google: Accessible Web Search for the Visually Impaired - Accessible Search a Google Labs product designed to identify and prioritize search results that are more easily usable by blind and visually impaired users. Regular Google search helps you find a set of documents that is most relevant to your tasks. Accessible Search goes one step further by helping you find the most accessible pages in that result set
Guidelines for Accessible and Usable Web Sites: Observing Users - The main focus in 'Guidelines for Accessible and Usable Web Sites: Observing Users Who Work With Screen Readers' was understanding how blind users work with Web sites and what that means for designers and developers
Inclusive E-Learning - The Inclusive E-Learning guide outlines e-learning resources, research and reports that have been undertaken by the Framework to help education and training organisations meet their legal obligation to learners with disabilities.
Observing Users Who Listen to Web Sites - This article discusses findings of usability testing with blind and low-vision users to:
- Understand how blind and low-vision users work with web sites.
- See the relationship between accessibility and usability and
- Assess the usability of specific web sites for blind and low-vision users.
OmniPage15 and TextBridge - OmniPage 15 allows you to turn paper and PDF files into editable electronic documents that look just like the original - complete with text, tables and graphics. TextBridge Pro 11 turns printed pages into electronic documents that can be used with Windows applications.
Online learning: Guidelines to maximise accessibility - Developments in online learning can present opportunities for a more inclusive education for students with disabilities.
Physical Access: Are there guidelines for making the library accessible? - The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) has produced Guidelines on library standards for people with disabilities.
Policies: What guidelines exist for improving services for students with disabilities? - National Code of Practice for Australian Tertiary Institutions
WebAIM: Accessibility Features in Acrobat Reader 7 - Provides detailed information and resources about the accessibility features of Adobe Acrobat Reader 7
WebAIM: PDF Accessibility - Provides detailed information about the accessibility of Adobe PDF files.
WebAIM: PowerPoint Accessibility Techniques - Provides advice and explanations for creating accessible PowerPoint presentations.
Voice Recognition Users Group Forum - An on-line user group where registered users can ask questions relating to voice recognition software and hardware.
Tools: Guidelines and Advice: Teaching Subjects
Astronomy: What strategies can assist blind students studying astronomy? - Many resources and study tips are available to assist vision impaired students in their astronomy studies. Use a textbook in Braille or e-text.
Laboratory Class: Safety for students with disability in laboratory classes - There are various approaches that can be taken in teaching students with disability in laboratories and workshops.
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