Assistive Software
The Assistive Technology Lab (ATL) has a number of software applications available to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities. An assistive device or software originally created for a person who has one type of disability can often provide assistance to someone with a dramatically different disability. For instance, voice output systems were originally intended for persons with visual impairments; this type of system is now being used to assist those with cognitive disabilities. In addition to assistive software programs, the ATL also offers access to the Internet, UGA's email services, online registration, and other popular word processing and graphics utilities.
The Assistive Technology Lab currently has the following assistive software available:
- Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred
- Dragon Naturally Speaking is a no-hands-required voice-recognition program that types as you speak. It is a great tool for students with limited manual dexterity, specifically those who are unable to use a standard keyboard. It is also useful for those with reading and writing difficulties and for students with visual impairments, since Dragon also contains a playback feature that reads back the text that's been written on the screen.
- Mindjet Mindmanager
- Organization can be crucial to many projects. Mindjet Mindmanager provides a visual map of ideas and contributions to any work in progress. It allows a person or group to work through a mind map of information while tracking their progress, keeping notes, storing documents, and planning events. Mindmanager's key is focus by visually representing information in an easy and intuitive way.
- JAWS-Job Access With Speech
- JAWS is an invaluable tool for students with visual impairments. It is a top of the line screen reader with internet capabilities, email access, and full compatibility with Microsoft products such as Office 2007.
- MAGic Screen Magnification Software
- Now computer users who need low vision aids due to macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, or other causes of low vision can take control of Web and software application pages. No longer will you struggle with type too small to see and images with indecipherable details. MAGic screen magnification software not only increases the size of what you see on a monitor, but MAGic with Speech also speaks aloud screen contents. MAGic makes school research on the Web less challenging for those with vision loss. It smooths the way for work projects that involve report writing, spreadsheets, and working with common office-related software. MAGic even makes leisure Web browsing, letter writing, blogging, chatting, and other everyday activities that involve the computer more fun.
- Kurzweil 3000
- Kurzweil 3000 provides an auditory and visual presentation of scanned text and images on the computer screen. It is simple to use (all it takes is a basic knowledge of scanning) and a great tool for people with learning disorders, or anyone with reading difficulties.
- TextHelp! Read & Write
- This assistive program was designed specifically for students with varying degrees of reading and writing difficulties, including ADHD and specific learning disabilities. It contains a number of helpful features, including word prediction, screen reading, homonym support, and a 180,000 word dictionary for use with spell check.
- EasyReader
- EasyReader is a software digital talking book player, allowing the user to read and listen to content through a combination of text, audio and images. One of the main advantages of using EasyReader is that the content becomes easy to navigate through, where a reader can skip through sections of their content and place bookmarks to highlight areas of interest. EasyReader is extremely easy-to-use, making reading an absolute pleasure.
- ReadingMadeEZ PDF Equalizer
- The PDF Equalizer can open up any version of a PDF file without going through a conversion or import process - simply open them as you would any other file. Having a PDF file read to you is great, but just imagine the many times you are using a PDF File to study when you have to take notes. The built-in NOTES function lets you take notes and have those notes "synchronized" with the PDF page. This means that notes you took on page 57 are displayed when you go to page 57. The NOTES features also has a built-in word processor that lets you type in any information you want. You can even copy images, formulas, charts and tables from your PDF book into your notes. The VIEW ALL NOTES feature lets you see all of your notes in a single document, which you can print or save.