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Assistive Technology

at the University of Mary Washington

 

AlphaSmart

A portable computer companion that allows the student to enter and edit text, then send to any computer for formatting or directly to a printer. Two are available for loan from the Office of Disability Services.

Closed Captioned Videos and Equipment

In closed captioning, the audio portion of the programming is displayed as text superimposed over the video. Closed captioning information is encoded and transmitted within the television signal. The closed captioning text is not ordinarily visible. In order to view closed captioning, viewers must use either a set-top decoder or a television receiver with integrated decoder circuitry. Closed captioning may not be available on all videos.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

A camera focuses on printed materials and the image is magnified on a screen. Documents are displayed in full color, white on black or black on white. Located in Jepson 108 (open Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and the Computer Access Center for the Visually Impaired in Monroe 208. Contact the Office of Disability Services for access to Monroe 208..

FM Hearing Assistance System by Williams Sound Corp.

Located in Dodd auditorium, this wireless system uses transmitters and receivers to allow hearing in difficult listening situations. The transmitter is a battery-powered belt pack used with a microphone to convert sound into an FM signal. The receiver is also battery-powered and is used with an earphone to intercept the FM signal sent by the transmitter. There are several types of earpieces available to use with the receiver: lightweight headphones; dual mini earphones; single mini earphones; surround earphones; and a t-switch, which can be plugged into a hearing aid. Contact the Dodd Auditorium Manager at (540) 654-1235 the day before an event to reserve the device or request it from an usher at the event.

VICTOR READER VIBE

A device designed to play RFB&D's (Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic) digital e-books on CD in the Daisy format. These may be checked out from the Office of Disability Services.

eLECTRONIC BOOKS

Electronic books can be requested through the Office of Disability Services. The Office of Disability Services requires at least 30 days advance notice of books needed. For more information, Contact the Office of Disability Services.

Kurzweil Reading Software

Model 1000

For students with visual impairments. Reads aloud electronic text or documents that have been scanned.

UMW Campus Locations:

  • Jepson 108 (open Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
  • Simpson Library (contact the Circulation Desk for hours and assistance).

CGPS Campus Location:

  • CGPS Library (contact the Circulation Desk for hours and assistance).

All locations connect to the campus network and Internet web resources.

Model 3000

For students with learning disabilities as well as those with limited vision. Reads aloud electronic text or documents that have been scanned as well as highlights the words being read for visual input. Located on the UMW Campus in Jepson 108 (open Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and Simpson Library (contact the Circulation Desk for hours and assistance). Both locations connect to the campus network and Internet web resources.

JAWS

For students with visual impairments. Reads aloud electronic text and provides many useful commands that make it easier to use programs, edit documents and read web pages. With a refreshable Braille display, JAWS can also provide Braille output in addition to, or instead of, speech.

UMW Campus Locations:

  • Jepson 108 (open Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
  • Simpson Library (contact the Circulation Desk for hours and assistance).

CGPS Campus Location:

  • CGPS Library (contact the Circulation Desk for hours and assistance).

All locations connect to the campus network and Internet web resources.

MyCap Junior

A closed caption decoding device that prints spoken dialogues, narrations, and sound effects on a television screen that is not already closed caption capable (pre-1993 models). It can also be used with a VCR and video projector. Available through the Office of Disability Services and the Multimedia Center.

OPENBook Software

Designed for blind and visually impaired individuals to read, edit, and manage scanned images from printed documents. Installed on a computer in the Computer Access Center for the Visually Impaired in Monroe 208. Contact the Office of Disability Services for access.

Personal FM Listening Systems by Williams Sound

Designed for use with hearing aids or for students with moderate to severe hearing impairment. The instructor wears a compact transmitter and microphone and the student wears a portable receiver and earphone. Available through the Office of Disability Services.

Tape recorders/players

The office has two Panasonic tape recorders with headphones to lend to students who need them for taping lectures.

Zoom Text Xtra

Computer software that magnifies text from scanned documents and computer files. Installed on a computer in the Computer Access Center for the Visually Impaired in Monroe 208. Contact the Office of Disability Services for access.