Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology (AT) is any tool that assists people with disabilities in performing daily tasks, working, and learning. It can include devices, software, and equipment.
In educational and work settings, AT is considered a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other relevant laws. If you have a disability and want to speak with OASID about using assistive technology for your studies or work here at TC, please contact oasid@tc.columbia.edu.
Software Examples
- Screen readers
- Text-to-speech readers
- Speech-to-text/Dictation software
- Note-taking software
- Screen magnifier
- Braille translation software
- Immersive reader features
- File conversion tools
Hardware Examples
- Specialized keyboards
- Mouse alternatives
- Electronic magnifiers
- Physical screen overlays
- Smartpens
- Refreshable braille display
- Assistive listening devices
Many assistive technologies are now readily available as built-in features on personal devices like smartphones, tablets, and computers. To learn more about the latest features on commonly used devices, please visit Apple Accessibility and Microsoft Accessibility Technology and Tools.
It allows faculty and staff to quickly determine if the assets in their Canvas LMS courses are accessible. The software guides the user in making changes to the assets to make them more accessible. Students can also download multiple types of document formats.
A Google Docs add-on that scans Goggle Docs, Slides, or Sheets for accessibility issues. This program also leads you through how to fix the accessibility issues. This is available to all TC students, staff, and faculty.
This is a literary support tool that allows users to listen to readings, read with highlights, and make notes within a digital text. It is available for all TC students and individuals with disabilities registered with OASID.
Additional Assistive Technology is available for eligible Students, Staff, and Faculty registered with OASID. Please note that, as with all accommodations, OASID utilizes an interactive process to determine what assistive technologies are needed.
Otter is a transcription tool that records and provides automatic transcriptions and notes of in-person and virtual lectures, classes, or meetings with options to add highlights, comments, and images. Teachers College (TC) has Otter Business licenses available for disability-related accommodations only. The content created by Otter is intended only for an individual’s educational or TC-related work.
Glean for Learning is a note-taking tool that allows students to actively engage with lectures and study materials by recording audio, capturing slides, taking notes, and organizing information for more effective learning and review.
Screen readers: Software that reads aloud all content on a user’s computer screen, allowing access to information for blind or visually impaired individuals.
- Examples: NVDA (Windows), Voiceover (Mac).
Text-to-Speech readers: Software that converts written text into audible speech, aiding individuals with reading difficulties.
- Example: Kurzweil.
Speech-to-Text/Dictation software: Software that allows users to input text using their voice, which is beneficial for those with writing difficulties.
Note-taking applications: An audio transcription note-taking tool that automatically transcribes or summarizes audio recordings.
- Example: Otter.ai
Screen magnifiers: Software that enlarges contents (e.g. text and/or graphics) on the user’s computer screen.
- Example: ZoomText
Braille translation software: Converts documents into a braille format which can be printed and read on a braille display.
Dyslexic-friendly fonts: Fonts designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia by reducing visual crowding and letter confusion.
- Examples: Sans serif fonts, such as Arial, Calibri, and Tahoma, make letters appear less crowded.
Immersive Reader Features: A suite of tools within various applications that enhance reading comprehension through features like text highlighting, line focus, and picture dictionaries.
- Example: Microsoft Immersive Reader.
File Conversion Recommendations: Guidance and tools for converting files into accessible formats, such as converting PDFs to readable text files.
Specialized keyboards: There are various specialized hardware keyboards designed for people with physical, visual, or cognitive disabilities.
- Examples: Large-print keys for visual impairments, alternative layouts for users with motor impairments, braille keyboards for blind users.
Mouse alternatives: There are accessible alternatives for individuals with varying motor skills and physical disabilities to use for pointing/clicking.
- Examples: Ergonomic mice, trackballs, touch/track pads.
Electronic magnifiers: Portable/physical magnifiers that help individuals with low vision read and view objects more clearly.
Smartpens: Recording devices that allow users to take written notes while simultaneously recording classroom lectures or discussions.
- Examples: Livescribe Echo.
Refreshable braille displays: This hardware device displays text on a computer screen by creating braille characters.
Physical screen overlays: These are placed on monitors or computer displays and help reduce eye strain and visual stress while enhancing color contrast.
Assistive listening devices: These tools are designed to enhance auditory accessibility and improve the clarity and intelligibility of sound, particularly speech, in various environments.
- Examples: Remote microphones, FM systems.