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Assistive Technology

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Assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, or system that can increase, maintain, or improve independence. These items may be high- or low-tech. While many assistive tech devoices were designed for people with disabilities, many people use them. If you’ve used Siri or another voice-activated assistant on your phone, you’ve used assistive technology!

Whether or not you have a disability, you may find using some assistive technology helpful. While this is not a comprehensive list, you can explore different assistive technologies and find one that may help you.

Disclaimer: Links on this page point to external sites not affiliated in any way with Ensign College.
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    Reading and Literacy Support
    Reading and Literacy Support

    Bookshare

    • Largest online library of accessible reading materials for people with print disabilities

    Kurzweil

    • Text-to-speech/screenreader software
    • You have free access with your Ensign email!

    Mercury Reader

    • Chrome extension that can remove ads and distractions, leaving only text and images
    • Adjust typeface and text size

    Rewordify

    • Replaces higher-level vocabulary with words that are easier to understand

    Spreed

    • Chrome extension that helps you read at double or triple your normal speed
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    Writing
    Writing

    Ginger

    • Corrects your typos, phonetic mistakes, severe spelling mistakes, and misused words based on the context of a sentence

    Grammarly

    • Eliminate writing mistakes and contextual errors, spelling errors, and poor vocabulary usage
    • Find the word you are looking for with synonym suggestions

    Hemingway

    • Helps you make your writing bold and clear
    • Highlights lengthy and complex sentences, points out adverbs, weakening phrases, and passive voice
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    Dictation/Speech-to-Text/Speech Recognition
    Dictation/Speech-to-Text/Speech Recognition
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    Note-taking
    Note-taking

    AudioNote

    • Synchronize your notes with the audio recording of your lecture

    Evernote

    • A one-stop place to collect notes, files, web clippings, and images with the ability to access them on virtually any device
    • Collaborate with others on projects using the sharing features

    Microsoft OneNote

    • Take all your notes in OneNote by typing, writing with a touchscreen, importing pictures, video, web links and other resources
    • Ability to record your lecture with this program
    • Divide up your classes and work by notebook, section, and pages

    Notability

    • Create multimedia notes (text, audio, images, etc.)
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    Time Management and Distraction-Free
    Time Management and Distraction-Free

    Brain.fm

    • Music created to support you in everyday activities, including helping to get more done

    Cold Turkey

    • Block distracting websites for set amounts of time

    Focus Booster

    • Set up Pomodoro sessions and track where you’re spending your time

    Focus Keeper

    • Pomodoro app helps you to focus your work efforts in timed 25-minute chunks

    Freedom

    • Block distracting websites and apps

    My Study Life

    • Organizes your classes, tasks, and exams and syncs across all your devices

    StayFocusd

    • Chrome extension that restricts the time you can spend on time-wasting websites
    • Once your allotted time is used up, the sites you have blocked will be inaccessible for the rest of the day
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    Vision
    Vision

    Be My Eyes

    • App that connects people who are blind with sighted volunteers around the world
    • Using video chat, volunteers help people who are blind with a variety of tasks as they serve as the eyes for the person who is blind

    JAWS Screenreader

    • Screen reader developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse
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    Search for Assistive Tech
    Search for Assistive Tech

    Atvisor

    • From hygiene and self-care products to electronics and accessories, search through Atvisor’s Products Catalog to find and select products that best fit your needs

    Augsburg University Disability Resources

    • Augsburg University put together a list of various assistive tech that may help students.

    MaxiAids

    • Products for independent living

    National Directory of Home Modification and Repair Resources

    • This directory provides resources for home modifications (e.g., grab bars, roll-in showers, and ramps) and repairs for each state. A directory of local home modification service providers can be found through a state search.

    Pass It On Center (PIOC)

    • PIOC assists people with disabilities in gaining access to and acquisition of reused AT.

    Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR)

    • Search and find information about various accommodation options in work and educational settings for people with disabilities through SOAR, a database maintained by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN).

    Unified Listing

    • Search through this database to find access to communication, computers and digital devices.

    Utah Assistive Technology Foundation (UATF)

    • Puts assistive technology into the hands of people who need it.

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