What is Assistive Technology?
Any device, software, or equipment that helps people with disabilities, health conditions, or age-related challenges interact with the world. Assistive technology can help people gain and maintain independence by assisting in daily life.
What data is there on Assistive Technology in Universities?
21% of undergraduate and 11% of graduate students report having one or more disabilities. 10-25% of these students utilize assistive technology, with the two most common technologies being text-to-speech and screen magnification. Click here for the research article!
Questions to keep in mind when requesting Assistive Technology accommodations:
Is there a history of using assistive technology?
Is there documentation showing a need for using assistive technology?
What has and has not worked in the past?
What would help specifically in the Testing Center?
What would help specifically in the classroom and / or lab?
Talking blood pressure cuffs and / or thermometers
Text-to-speech software (JAWS / Dragon / Natural Reader)
Wispr Notetaking Transcription
Claude AI Transcriptions
- Free browser extension & app
- Customizable AI automation options (transcribing, action items, etc.)
- Compatible with Google Meet, Zoom, and Teams
- Audio recording and transcribing
- Free plan allows for 300 minutes per month, with a cap of 30 minutes per recording (changes per payment plan)
- Free audio recording app
- Connect to meetings or record separate voice notes, option for subtitling videos
- Free plan allows for 45 minutes of recording per file (3 hours for paid)
- Record in-platform or upload a file
- Share recordings with others
- Recording and transcribing
- Captioning videos, can import outside links
- Free plan allows for 30 minutes of recording per file (unlimited for paid)
- Note taking platform with audio recording option
- Can connect your calendar, keep written notes and to-do lists
- Add recordings and has an option for AI transcription
- Record up to 2 hours of audio (storage limited by payment plan)
Apple Voice Memos Phone / Laptop
- Learning Ally
- Non-profit organization providing thousands of textbooks, read by volunteers.
- Students with print-related disabilities can contact Learning Ally for more information about becoming a member
- Bookshare
- Non-profit organization with thousands of books available in different electronic formats.
- Membership is free.
- LibreCommons
- An adaptable, user-friendly non-profit open education resource platform.
- Many books and textbooks are available in varying formats.
Alternative formatting of books / exams like braille or large print
Specialized keyboards / mice
Smart Pen (Livescribe)
Canes
Crutches
Wheelchairs
Note-Taking
- Evernote
- Comprehensive note-taking app that can sync across devices
- Calendar connection, notes, recordings, AI transcription, to-do lists
- Notion
- Comprehensive note-taking app with notes, tasks, databases, calendar
- Highly customizable, Free Plus plan for students with .edu email
- GoodNotes
- Note-taking app best for online handwritten notes
- Documents, whiteboard, PDF annotation, upload class resources
- Google Keep
- Simple note-taking that syncs across Google platforms
- Reminders, notes, voice memos, color coding
- Mind Mapping: organize information and ideas visually
Time Management
- Google Calendar
- Visual calendar that can sync across Google platforms
- Customizable reminders and formatting
- Focus Keeper
- Timer platform
- Customize focus sessions, track productivity, set daily goals, customize alarm sounds
- Tiimo
- Task manager that can sync across devices
- To-do lists sorted by priority, visual planner, focus timer
Task Management/To-Do Lists
- ToDoist
- Online task manager with visual schedule
- Google Tasks
- Task manager that can sync across Google platforms
- Tasks appear on Google calendar
Memory/Studying