Assistive Technology

In collaboration with Accessibility Services, Academic Technology supports a number of assitive technologies.

Mac Accessibility

Mac OS X and iOS operating systems provide built-in accessibility tools such as dictation, text-to-speech, and the screen-reader VoiceOver. Learn more about Mac Accessibility here.

Text to Speech 

Kurzweil 3000 and Firefly

Kurzweil is a text-to-speech program with features that support reading and writing. Wesleyan provides access to Kurzweil for students with disabilities who wish to request it. Please contact Accessibility Services.

NVDA

NVDA is an open-source screen reader for windows. It is currently installed on all Windows computers in public computer centers. Individuals can download NVDA here.

SensusAccess Document Conversion Service

SensusAccess is an e-mail and web-based service capable of automatically transforming documents into a variety of accessible formats. Learn more about SensusAccess here.

Bookshare

Bookshare provides a large library of accessible eBooks. Wesleyan can provide individual Bookshare accounts to students who are eligible. Please contact Accessibility Services.

Natural Reader

NaturalReader Online is a text to speech web application with high quality voices. Login from any computer to convert any written text such as MS Word, PDF files, non-DRM eBooks, and webpages into spoken natural sounding speech. Learn more about Natural Reader here.

Balabolka

Balabolka is a Text-To-Speech (TTS) program that accesses all computer voices installed on your system. The on-screen text can be saved as a WAV, MP3, MP4, OGG or WMA file. The program can read the clipboard content, view text from documents, customize font and background color, control reading from the system tray or by the global hotkeys. Learn more about Balabolka here.

Adobe Read Out Loud

Adobe Read Out Loud provides text to speech for pdf files. Learn more about Adobe Read Out Loud here. 

Speech to Text

Dragon Naturally Speaking

Dragon provides speech recognition for voice control of computer and voice input. Students can request Dragon as an accommodation through the Accessibility Services, and employees can request it through their department or IT.

Note Taking

Echo LiveScribe SmartPen

LiveScribe Echo will record and play back everything you write and hear. Then, using a USB cable, transfer your notes and audio to your computer. Learn more about LiveScribe here.

Sonocent Audio Notetaker

Audio Notetaker for Windows and Mac provides easy access to capture full recordings of classes and meetings. Work with recordings taken on your laptop or with the free companion app. It’s easy to go back to the key moments - audio is visualized, phrase-by-phrase. Learn more about Audio Notetaker here.

Students with documented disabilities who wish to explore assistive technology should contact Accessibility Services (accessibility@wesleyan.edu) to schedule a meeting.