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The OSS Assistive Technology Lab is located in C 211 and is reserved for students who are affiliated with OSS. The lab offers eight network connected computers which have the same software as other labs on campus, printers, and general work space. We can often obtain electronic versions of course materials (PDF, Kurzweil, large print, etc.) for OSS students. We also offer one-on-one Assistive Technology training sessions.
The term assistive technology refers to “any piece of equipment or product system… that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” (Tech Act of 1988) For example, assistive technology can be used to magnify print for an individual with low vision, or to amplify sound for an individual with a hearing loss. Assistive computer technology provides alternate computer input for an individual unable to use a standard keyboard, or alternate output for an individual who is unable to access information easily from a standard computer monitor.
Assistive computer technology can also provide an individual with reading and/or writing assistance. Through the use of specialized software programs, an individual can visually organize ideas prior to writing, have documents read out loud, use speech to complete a written document, or hear what s/he has composed in a word processing program. In this capacity, use of the software may be viewed as a compensatory strategy for accomplishing academic tasks.
These and other types of assistive technology devices and computer software programs are available to students affiliated with the Office of Specialized Services (OSS). Students requiring alternate access to print and electronic information, or software for reading and writing assistance, may use stand-alone equipment as well as hardware and software computer access solutions available in the OSS computer lab.
Assistive technology may be an appropriate accommodation for a student affiliated with OSS to provide equal access to information and/or academic computing. Many students enter Ramapo College already using assistive technology in their academic pursuits. However, students who have never used assistive technology are encouraged to explore this opportunity to increase independence and/or efficiency when completing assignments. Interested students should contact their OSS counselor to evaluate their needs and to determine if assistive technology is an appropriate accommodation or may be offered as a support.
The Livescribe paper-based computing platform consists of a digital pen, digital paper, software applications, and developer tools. Central to the Livescribe platform is the smartpen, a ballpoint pen with an embedded computer and digital audio recorder. When used with Anoto digital paper, it records what it writes for later uploading to a computer, and synchronizes those notes with any audio it has recorded. This allows users to replay portions of a recording by tapping on the notes they were taking at the time the recording was made. It is also possible to select which portion of a recording to replay by clicking on the relevant portion of a page on-screen, once it has been synced to the Livescribe Desktop software.
How to use your Livescribe Smartpen:
**The Following Details the Accessibility Features Built into Google Products and Services**
G Suite is a collection of applications for online collaboration, organization, and productivity that provide powerful tools and access to content from the web. This page lists resources to help you get started with G Suite using assistive technology. We’ve included information for diverse needs and interests, but many of the resources are primarily for blind or low-vision users.
If you’re using a screen reader with G Suite, we generally recommend the following combinations of screen readers and browsers.
Operating system | Screen reader | Browser |
Microsoft Windows | NVDA or JAWS | Firefox |
Mac | VoiceOver | Google Chrome |
Chrome OS | ChromeVox | Google Chrome |
Note: These are general recommendations, so some products might provide additional guidance in their documentation. For product documentation, refer to the resources listed below.
If you’re using a mobile device to access G Suite, you can refer to mobile-specific help documentation links below.
Use Gmail to send and receive mail, manage contacts, and organize your messages with labels and inbox tabs.
Use Google Calendar to create events, share your schedule, and send reminders.
Use Google Cloud Search to find content in your G Suite services and get useful information and recommendations.
Use Google Drive on the web to upload, create, edit, and share files.
Use the Drive File Stream or Backup and Sync application to sync local files with Google Drive on the web, making your files available anywhere, at any time, on any device. Check with your administrator if you’re not sure which application is used in your organization.
Use Google Docs to create, edit, and collaborate on documents.
Use Google Sheets to create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets.
Use Google Slides to create, edit, and collaborate on presentations.
Use Google Forms to create, send, and collaborate on forms.
Google Chrome browser supports screen readers, keyboard access, zoom, high contrast, magnification, and other accessibility features. You can also add Chrome extensions to customize your browser with extra accessibility functionality.
Chromebooks have built-in accessibility features including the ChromeVox screen reader, keyboard access, zoom, high contrast, magnification, and more.
Kurzweil 3000 is an educational technology which provides a reading, writing, and study platform aimed at people with learning disabilities or other disabilities that make reading or writing difficult.
**You must be approved by the Assistive Technology Specialist to receive a Kurzweil license through OSS**
The following describes some of the features offered by Kurzweil:
JAWS, Job Access With Speech, is the world’s most popular screen reader, developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse. JAWS provides speech and Braille output for the most popular computer applications on your PC. program which reads the contents (including text, file menus, and actions) of a computer screen to the user.
Basic
Advanced
Click Here to download Jaws. On the linked web-page download the newest version of Jaws which corresponds to your operating system type (32-bit or 64-bit). If you are unsure which type to select, do the following:
ZoomText Magnifier/Reader is a fully integrated magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users. Magnifier/Reader enlarges and enhances everything on your computer screen, echoes your typing and essential program activity, and automatically reads documents, web pages, email.
Click Here to get more information about ZoomText’s features and capabilities. On the linked web-page, click the “Features drop-down menu.
Click Here to download ZoomText. Click on the download arrow under the first heading (pictured below).
NaturalReader is a text to speech software with natural sounding voices. This easy to use software can convert any written text such as MS Word, Webpages, PDF files, and eBook into spoken words.NaturalReader can also convert any written text into audio files such as MP3 or WAV.
Click Here to view NaturalReader’s features, download (or purchase) the software, and watch tutorials. Note that the free version is adequate for most users.
Read&Write Gold is an assistive technology software program. It provides text reading and writing to assist children and adults with reading and writing disabilities. Developed by Texthelp Systems, this software is designed to improve reading comprehension, help struggling readers process and comprehend large amounts of text, help users conduct research, and enable struggling writers to produce quality written documents.
**Read & Write Gold is available on every computer in the lab. We do not offer student licenses.**
Automatic speech for PowerPoint presentations. PowerTalk is a free program that automatically speaks any presentation or slide show running in Microsoft PowerPoint. You just download and install PowerTalk and while you open and run the presentation, as usual, it speaks the text on your slides. The advantage over other generic ‘Text To Speech’ programs is that PowerTalk is able to speak text as it appears and can also speak hidden text attached to images.
Location: C-Wing, Room 211
General Email: ossatech@ramapo.edu
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