Accommodations & Services
Access & Training
Assistive Technology (AT) refers to tools that make learning faster and easier for students with:
Talk to your Disability Resources specialist to determine if AT is tight for you and which AT is best for your needs.
Help with Reading
Software systems, such as Kurzweil and Read & Write Gold, display the text on a computer screen and, with a mouse click, read it to you. You can read/listen to text typed by the user, scanned in from printed pages (e.g., books, class handouts), or found on the Internet. AT reading systems also contain powerful study tools. With them, you can:
Computers with these programs are in L122, L124, and L126 are available for use the in the Library.
Help with Writing
Most word processing systems alert you to spelling, grammar, punctuation, usage, and sentence structure errors. If you need more robust help with these tasks, both Kurzweil 3000 and Read & Write Gold have easy to use features to help you improve your writing.
Both of the above programs include "graphic organizer" and "outlining" features that help you organize and outline your information as you begin a writing project. You brainstorm your ideas, then organize them into appropriate categories, and click the "Outline" button for your working outline.
If you struggle with writing - or if writing comes easily - check out this powerful software. It is located on computers in L 122, L124, and L126, and is available for use in those rooms.Speech Recognition Software (Dragon Naturally Speaking)
Speaks into a microphone, and your spoken words appear on the computer screen as text. This software is helps writers whose oral language skills are stronger than their writing skills, or users with coordination impairments that limit keyboarding.
Program Demo LinksInspiration
Inspiration, a visual thinking and learning tool, can be used to plan, research and complete written projects. Writers can create graphic organizers and expand topics into writing.
Inspiration is available on computers in the AT rooms of the Library.Read&Write Gold
Helps organize your writing with mapping, then converts the map to an outline. Word prediction and word definition features help find - and spell - the right word. Reads words and sentences as you type for easier proofreading.
Helps organize your writing with mapping, then converts the map to an outline. Word prediction and word definition features help find - and spell - the right word. Reads words and sentences as you type for easier proofreading.Dragon Naturally Speaking
Eliminates use of key strokes and mouse when composing written documents - you just tell the computer what to write. Dragon requires some training to effectively use it, but the accuracy gets better with each use.Kurzweil 1000
Designed for individuals with visual disabilities, Kurzweil 1000 scans and reads textbooks and other class materials as above, but uses all key strokes instead of mouse clicks. (Guarenteed rodent-free.)ZoomText
Enlarges and reads text on computer screens, reads web pages. Have additional aids such as electronic "magnifying glass", line-by-line highlighting, contrasting text-to-background color combinations, text window sizing and screen reading.
Screen reading software developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content. JAWS reads aloud what's on the PC screen. It is compatible with the most frequently-used workplace and classroom applications.
Assistive Technology in the Library
The UMD Library provides the following assistive technology to full-time students. Computer problems should be reported to the ITSS lab consultant at the Library front desk. Some software is available on a flash drive to check-out from the Library.
Assistive Technology on a Stick
Some assistive technology, Kurzweil 3000 Learn Station and Zoomtext, a screen reader and magnifyer, is available on a USB flash drive for a two-week renewable check-out from the Library. Learn Station has all of the functionality of Kurzweil 3000 except for scanning and PDF compatability. Please contact Disability Resources for more information.
Another look at Assistive Technology
Assistive technology has made college accessible to students with disabilities in ways we could only dream about a few years ago. Some of the most exciting programs have been developed for students with learning disabilities. The short video linked below shows how powerful these learning tools can be. UMD has this software for both use in the Library and on USB devices for check-out. Be amazed!