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Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is an item, piece of equipment, or product that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of an individual with a disability.

It is a goal of the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) to provide assistive technology tools in support of student accessibility and success. Use this page to learn about Kurzweil 3000 and explore various Assistive Technology tools. 


Free Accessibility Features 

Built right into your computer

Microsoft

Personalize your Windows Computer with built-in accessibility features to support ease with vision, hearing, learning, neurodiversity, and mobility interactions with your computer. Learn how to set up a device  and how to get Office 365 at WCU. 

Learn More 

Mac/Apple

Personalize your Mac Computer with any of the built-in accessibility features to support vision, hearing, mobility, learning and other interactions with your computer.

Learn More 

 


Kurzweil 3000

Free, campuswide, text-to-speech software

Built on the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Kurzweil 3000 is our primary assistive technology tool for text-to-speech - a useful option for reading, word processing, and material comprehension. This software is available free to all WCU students and staff, regardless of registration status with our office. 

You may sign up for your free Kurzweil 3000 account, by completing the User Sign Up Form linked below. Please keep note of the Username and Password you are given; you will need this to log into your Kurzweil 3000 account.

Create Your free Kurzweil 3000 Account

Log into Kurzweil 3000

With your Kurzweil 3000 login information, you may also access:

Testing with Kurzweil 3000:  Text-To-Speech within Respondus Lockdown Browser is available by enabling Kurzweil ReadTheWeb with LockDown Browser. You will need to use your Kurzweil username and password to login.

Kurzweil 3000 Read the Web Extension: Add the Read the Web extension to your Chrome or Firefox web browser to read web pages aloud with text-to-speech, translate words, and see definitions from three dictionaries within your web browser.

Download Read the Web for Chrome

Download Read the Web for Firefox

If you have any questions or issues setting up your account or accessing all of the Kurzweil 3000 features, please contact our office at accessibility@wcu.edu or 828.227.3886


Assistive Technology

Toggle through the tabs below to explore some assistive technology tools 

LiveScribe Smart Pens Use with LiveScribe Phone App or LiveScribe Desktop App  Smartpens allow you to take notes while simultaneously recording classroom lectures or discussion. Smartpens also saves digital copies of your notes, which may be transferred to a computer via USB or Bluetooth. The OAR has a limited number of LiveScribe Smart Pens available for registered students. Please contact the OAR for more information. 
AccessNote Apple iOS Notetaking tool for those who are Blind or Visually Impaired created by the American Foundation for the Blind Free
Notability Available for Macbook, Iphone, and Ipad Notetaking and Recording  Free
OneNote Available with Microsoft 365 Microsoft digital note-taking app Free
WritePad Apple iOS; Google Play Take notes with your stylus or finger while handwriting recognition turns these notes into typed text $7.99

Bookshare.org

 

 

WCU students who are registered with the OAR may sign up for a free individual membership with Bookshare, gaining access to over a million e books.    Learn how to sign up for a free Bookshare individual membership
Kurzweil 3000 WCU students and staff have access to Kurzweil 3000 regardless of registration status with our office. Read content aloud with text-to-speech, translate, annotate or mark-up documents, and more! Create Your free Kurzweil 3000 Account
Kurzweil 3000 - Read The Web Extension Add the Read the Web extension to your Chrome or Firefox web browser to read web pages aloud with text-to-speech, translate words, and see definitions from three dictionaries within your web browser. You will need to use your Kurzweil username and password to login

Download Read the Web for Chrome 

Download Read the Web for Firefox

Kurzweil Read The Web for Lockdown Browser Text-To-Speech within Respondus Lockdown Browser is available by enabling Kurzweil ReadTheWeb with LockDown Browser. You will need to use your Kurzweil username and password to login. Enable Kurzweil ReadTheWeb with LockDown Browser
Postlight Reader Remove clutter from webpages for easier reading. Available as a Chrome extension. Free
Rewordify Rewordify replaces higher-level vocabulary with words that are easier to understand Free
Otter.ai PC and Macbook Transcription app that records and transcribes. Free basic version for individuals
Dragon Anywhere Mobile Phone Create and edit documents of any length by voice - on your phone. $14.99/month or $149/yr
GBoard - The Google Keyboard Mobile Phone  This Google Keyboard is automatically installed on all Androids and available for install on iOS.  Free
Just Press Record  Mobile Phone - iOS/Apple Only One-tap recording, transcription, and iCloud syncing on all your devices. Free
SpeechNotes Mobile Phone - No iOS/Android Only

Take notes with your voice for free - or automatically transcribe audio & video recordings on the spot.

Free
 Transcribe Macbook, Iphone, Ipad

Transcribe is your own Personal Assistant for transcribing videos and voice memos into text.

Free

 

Ava Apple or Windows & Phone capability A live captioning software that can be used on your phone or computer! Useful for lectures, events, in-person conversation, or Zoom meetings! Free for Individuals
Co:Writer Apple iOS Word Prediction app that gives you suggestions of words as you type with the option of reading your word options out loud with a swipe of your finger $19.99
Fleksy Apple iOS; Google Play State-of-the-art system powerful enough for individuals who are blind or low vision to use by not needing to look at the screen to type $0.99
Grammarly Chrome Extension Eliminate writing mistakes and contextual errors, spelling errors, and poor vocabulary usage Free version available through your app store or Grammarly website
Ginger Grammar Checker & Spell Checker Windows; Mac; Apple iOS; Google Play; Chrome and Safari Extension    
Voice Dream Writer Apple iOS  Make fewer mistakes, use the right words and organize your writing better with this app  $9.99
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