Assistive Technology
The University of Connecticut Center for Students with Disabilities maintains a wide variety of assistive technology to help students access materials in alternate formats. Assistive computers and other equipment is located at both the CSD and the Homer Babbidge Library (on the first floor near the Information Desk). Students interested in utilizing the equipment should contact the Center for Students with Disabilities at 486-2020 for an introductory session.
The assistive technology is available for use by any student with a disability who has completed an orientation to the equipment and the rules regarding its proper use.
Equipment Located at the Center for Students with Disabilities
Hardware and software available on our Assistive Technology PC's
- Scanners with automatic document feeders
- ZoomText screen magnification software
- MAGic screen magnification software
- JAWS for Windows screen reading software
- Kurzweil 1000 and 3000 scanning software with speech output
- Dragon NaturallySpeaking - continuous speech recognition software
Handi-Cassette 4-Track Tape Recorders/Players
American Printing House for the Blind
These tape recorders were designed to provide optimum record and playback capability using prerecorded textbooks or blank cassettes. Features include:
- 4 track record and play capability at either HI (1-7/8 ips) or LO (15/16 ips) tape speeds;
- Variable speed playback in either speed mode to achieve operation throughout the speed range of .85 times to 2.0 times;
- Pitch control;
- AC/DC power and rechargeable battery pack;
- Built-in Condenser Microphone (with option of using your own external mic) with sensitivity switch;
- Depression symbol tape operation buttons;
- Tape motion sensing window;
- Instructions in braille and on cassette, as well as written instructions in English.
Aladdin Ambassador
http://www.telesensory.com
With its award winning OCR scanning technology, this reading machine produces highly accurate readings from text-to-speech. It uses the DECtalk speech synthesis software and a 1.08 gigabyte hard drive to store over 60,000 pages of text. A tape recorder can also be attached to make recordings.
Aladdin Companion CCTV
http://www.telesensory.com
This is a light-weight, portable 9-inch black-and-white CCTV for use at the Center or easily moveable to other locations as necessary.
Aladdin Rainbow Color CCTV
http://www.telesensory.com/products2-1-6.html
This CCTV is a 14-inch monitor with a 13.3-inch diagonal viewing area. It will magnify standard, 10-point newspaper print to over 3-inches tall with various background and foreground color options.
Mountbatten BraillerTM from Quantum Technology
http://www.quantech.com.au/products/quantum_products/braille/mountbatten.htm
This mechanical braille writer can:
- Offer many braille standards (6 or 8 dot, computer, grade 1, or contracted grade 2);
- Handle page formatting;
- Store many pages in its memory;
- Communicate with computers and printers, translating from text to braille and from braille to text;
- Use modified keyboards;
- Operate from rechargeable batteries or from main power;
- Offer many advanced functions (including data and graphics).
Phonic Ear Solaris Binaural Precision Hearing System
http://www.phonicear.com
This system consists of a wireless transmitter and receiver, each with 40-channel built-in dial-selectable FM channels. The speaker wears the transmitter which sends the sound through an FM radio frequency to the receiver. The receiver amplifies the sound and sends it directly to the listener's ear through ear-mics connected to the listener's earmolds (transducers may be used as well). The Solaris Binaural can also be connected to personal hearing aids or a variety of other listening options.
Phonic Ear Toteable Sound Field System
http://www.phonicear.com
This personal listening system consists of an FM transmitter that sends the desired speech or other auditory signal to the FM receiver which is used by the listener. The signal is then amplified and sent to the listener's ear. Since it is wireless, it can be used indoors and outdoors. It is especially useful in noisy areas or where there is a large distance from the speaker to the listener.
QuickPADs with infrared receivers
http://www.quickpad.com
The QuickPAD is a portable keyboard which functions as a word processor. It can be used for notetaking in class or any other place a student may need to write. The files can be stored in ten separate folders for security (up to 70 pages of text). The information is then transferred to a computer to be inserted into a current document or to be printed. Some other functions include: spell check dictionary, typing tutor, calculator.
ReadingEdgeTM from Xerox Imaging Systems
This stand alone scanner performs similarly to a copy machine with voice output that reads documents aloud. This reading machine scans one page at a time with a multiple column document option. Features include:
- Intelligent Character Recognition and high-quality speech synthesis;
- Outboard Blazie Braille 'n Speak Disk Drive Accessory to allow students to save, list, and load files from MS-DOS compatible disks.
TTY Machines
http://www.ultratec.com
- Ultratec Superprint LVD80 Pro
- Ultratec MiniPrint 425
ViewPlus Tiger MAX Desktop Embosser
http://www.viewplus.com/products/braille-embossers/max-embosser/
Williams Sound Personal FM Listening System
http://www.williamssound.com/Products/personalFM.html
These wireless systems use transmitters and receivers to allow hearing in difficult listening situations:
- The Transmitter is a battery-powered belt pack used with a microphone (included) to convert sound into an FM signal;
- The Receiver is also battery-powered and is used with an earphone (also included) to hear the radio signal sent by the transmitter;
- Also has a T-switch capacity with a neckloop (included).
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