Assistive Technology (AT) is any adaptive or assistive device used to increase independence in individuals with disabilities. AT enhances the method of approaching a task, allowing the individual to accomplish what may have been previously difficult or impossible.

In the Learning Centre, students with documented disabilities have access to AT at our computer workstations. In addition, students may access our lending library of portable devices.

Learning Centre Workstations

Check out the following to find out what is available.

Dragon Naturally Speaking
Dragon Naturally Speaking is a voice recognition software system that eliminates the need to type. After the recommended training, students can dictate directly into the computer. Dragon Naturally Speaking works well for students who can verbalize their thoughts but have difficulties writing.

Inspiration
Inspiration software allows students to create graphic organizers to visualize ideas, concepts, and relationships and instantly transform them into an outline view. Inspiration helps students plan, organize projects, gain a better understanding of difficult concepts, and improve their writing proficiency.

Kurzweil 3000
Kurzweil 3000 software is designed to help students with reading, writing, and study skills. It can scan and read text so struggling students can study and learn independently. Kurzweil's impressive study skills feature allows students to highlight and extract the main points of a passage and create outlines, study guides, and word lists that will improve their reading comprehension and retention.

ReadPlease
ReadPlease is a screen reader that can be downloaded free of charge.  Created by Thunder Bay’s own Rob McCormack, it can read any web-based or scanned text. ReadPlease is a helpful tool for any student with visual or learning difficulties.

TextHELP Read and Write
TextHELP software is designed for individuals who need support with reading, writing, and learning. Features that include text-to-voice, talking spell checker, dictionary and thesaurus, and word prediction help to improve reading and writing skills.

ZoomText
ZoomText is magnification and reading software designed for those with visual disabilities. It offers flexible magnification with choice of how much text is read aloud and when. A large-print keyboard provides quick access to the ZoomText software features and a large screen monitor enhances viewing.

Portable Devices

Dana
The Dana by Alpha Smart is a lightweight, portable writing device that offers a full size keyboard. Compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats, documents created on the device are transferable to the user's personal computer, This is an excellent tool for taking notes in class, organizing the week, or recording appointments.   

Franklin Language Master
The Franklin Speller is a handheld speaking reference device used to improve vocabulary, word choice, pronunciation, spelling, and writing. Features include phonetic spell correction (enter a word the way it sounds and receive a correction list) and reverse search (enter a definition to search for a forgotten word).

FM Listening System
An FM Learning System is designed to transmit a person's voice directly to the ears of the individual with a hearing disability. The professor wears a compact transmitter and microphone, and the student wears portable receivers and earphones. The device can filter out background noise.

Key to Access
Key to Access is a portable device for people with print-related disabilities. It contains eight Windows-based accessibility tools for reading and writing including a talking word processor and dictionary, study skills support, text to audio, and a digital recorder. The user plugs it into the USB port of any computer and saves completed work to it.

Palm Pilot and other PDA’s
The Palm Pilot is a handheld computer that supports self-management and organization. Alarms and repeated reminders keep students on track. Students can create and edit Microsoft Word and Excel documents, view and edit PowerPoint documents, and transfer them to their personal computer. In addition, the MP3 player feature allows students to listen to textbooks or lectures that are available in digital format.

Reading Pen
The Reading Pen is a portable pen-shaped device that scans single words or full lines of text in seconds and reads them aloud. It contains a 240,000 word dictionary and thesaurus and will define words within a definition.

Free Assistive Software

CHIPSpeaking Software
CHIP offers conversational help for individuals with problems speaking.

Click-N-Type Virtual Keyboard
This onscreen keyboard is designed fro individuals who have difficulty using a keyboard but can use a mouse, touch screen or pointing device.

Natural Reader
A free screenreader.

ReadPlease
A free screenreader. 

Software Trial Downloads

Mindjet
Mindmanager will help you generate, capture, and organize tasks, ideas and activities to save time and increase productivity. (21 day trial)

Inspiration
This software will help you develop, plan, organize, and outline your projects. (30 day trial)

NextUp.com
NextUp.com offers a variety of products that use voice synthesis to convert text into spoken audio. (Trial available)

For more information, contact the Learning Centre at (807) 475-6506.