The A11yThis A11y newsletter highlights educational tools and resources to help you with accessing instructional resources online, taking notes in the classroom, and around Mason campuses!
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In this Newsletter
- Online Learning Resources
- Tools to Assist with Reading
- Tools to Assist with Notetaking
- Tools to Assist with Writing
- Report a Barrier
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ATI VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE, Feb 1-2
ATI Staff will be hosting 60-minute open house sessions highlighting the supports and services in place to assist you with accessing your instructional resources.
Select the link(s) below to access the sessions:
- Feb. 1st, 11:00am - 12:00pm (Assistive Technology Supports & Services, Korey Singleton) - Join Meeting
- Feb. 2nd, 11:00am - 12:00pm (Accessible Text and Alternative Formats, Nancy Borck and Jen Little Brown) - Join Meeting
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get those accessible text requests in...
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Submit book requests asap!
If you will be requesting accessible textbook files from the ATI this semester, please check your GMU email for a reminder from ATI staff, which includes instructions on how to initiate your Accessible Text Requests. If you normally use accessible text services and have not received the email, please contact ATI staff at ati@gmu.edu to make sure we have your correct email address.
Before purchasing your books...
You may want to check out Bookshare.org to see if what you need is available from them. If it is, you will not need to purchase the hard copy of the book. You can then put in a request to the ATI and we will acquire the file from Bookshare.
Another source you may want to check is VitalSource. This vendor offers eBooks that are already accessible to read online or download to your device(s). Their titles can be rented or purchased.
ATI has a minimum turnaround time of two weeks for requests. Depending on content and other variables (i.e. STEM), this timeframe may be longer.
The beginning of the semester is always a busy time. Get started now!
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online learning resources
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alternative formats are available in your blackboard course!
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Ally for Blackboard learn
Ally is an accessibility tool that integrates seamlessly with the Blackboard LMS. It creates a more engaging and user-friendly experience by enabling you to select the alternate formats (e.g., electronic braille, PDFs, audio/MP3, etc.) that best support their specific learning needs.
Learn more about alternative formats in the video below...
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Keep in mind, Ally alternative formats are available in any course (online, hybrid, face-to-face) where documents are uploaded directly to the Blackboard.
How do I download alternative formats?
What alternative formats are available to me?
Can I use Ally on Blackboard's mobile app?
Select the link below to find out!
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Tools to assist with Reading
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Microsoft 365's Immersive Reader
Microsoft's built-in text-to-speech tool offers features like:
- Adjusting spacing between text
- Adjusting column width
- Changing page color to reduce brightness and eye strain
- Adding focus to reduce distraction while reading
- Breaking up words into syllables
All of these features increase reading fluency, word recognition, and comprehension.
To see how Immersive Reader works, select the link below!
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Snap & Read Universal
The Snap & Read Universal Extension for Chrome™ is a text-to-speech tool that reads electronic text aloud (e.g., web pages and PDFs) and simplifies vocabulary to improve reading comprehension. It also includes a feature that allows you to easily grab notes from web page, while creating citations (i.e., MLA, APA, or Harvard) that can be downloaded and added to your research papers.
View the quick video demo (2:19) below for more details:
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To request your own copy, select the link below!
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Natural Reader
Like the Snap&Read™, Natural Reader is a text-to-speech tool that reads electronic text aloud. It is more robust in the sense that it supports multiple formats (i.e., web pages, Word, PPT, PDF, etc.). It also includes a feature that allows the text-to-speech reader to skip over URLs, information in parentheses (e.g., inline citations), and PDF page headers. This improves the overall reading experience for the end user, increasing comprehension.
View the quick video demo (1:19) below for more details:
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To request your own copy, select the link below!
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Read&Write By TextHelp
Read & Write is a FREE literacy software (PC & Mac) available for all Mason students, faculty & staff. Read & Write supports different learning styles (Example: Auditory & Visual), reading comprehension, writing & studying skills, English as a second language (ESL), and research.
Features of Read & Write Include:
- Text-to-Speech (Have PDF/Word read out loud)
- Digital Highlighting (Highlight notes in documents with multiple colors)
- Speech Maker (Create an MP3 audio file from a document)
- Word Prediction (Makes writing papers easier and faster)
- Language Translator
- Scan Hard Copy Documents to Word, PDF or HTML files (scanner required)
- Respondus Lockdown Browser Support (Please note: None of the other text-to-speech options in this newsletter support Lockdown Browser.)
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To request your own copy, select the link below!
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Tools to assist with Notetaking
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Free & Low Cost Notetaking Tools!
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Glean by SOnocent
Glean by Sonocent is a cloud-based audio notetaking solution that allows you to record audio from lectures or meetings while inserting label and text note timestamps. Your audio recordings can then be accessed from any web browser, mobile or desktop.
PLEASE NOTE: The ATI has a limited number of software licenses for this solution. As a result, access is limited to students registered with disability services. Contact the ATI Office at ati@gmu.edu to inquire about receiving a license.
To learn more about Glean, select the link below.
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otter.ai
Otter.ai is a free-voice-to-text application that allows you to generate notes for meetings, interviews, lectures, and other important voice conversations. Transcriptions are provided in real-time using Otter's AI-powered assistant.
Features of Otter.ai Include:
- Works on Mac, PC, iOS, Android, etc.
- Real-time speech-to-text generation
- Speech-to-text generation from uploaded audio
- Free Basic account provides up to 600 free minutes of audio transcription per month. That's the equivalent of 10 1-hr lectures per month.
- Summary Keyword generation per transcript
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Prefer Handwritten Notes? Check out the Livescribe Smartpens!!
For those who prefer to take handwritten notes as opposed to type-written notes, the Livescribe Symphony smartpens are very popular choices. In addition to syncing audio recordings with electronic copies of the handwritten notes, copies of the notes and recordings are backed up to the end user's mobile device for easy recall at a later date.
The new Livescribe Echo 2 smartpens will be released in the coming weeks! These units embed the microphones directly on the pens. This eliminates the need to have your mobile device with you for recording purposes.
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Tools to assist with Writing
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Easy Citation Management with Zotero
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zotero
Zotero is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share research.
Zotero can synchronize your data across devices, keeping your notes, files, and bibliographic records seamlessly up to date. When the time comes to produce a bibliography, it is as easy as copying and pasting directly into your research paper.
PLEASE NOTE: University Libraries provides unlimited Zotero cloud storage for students, faculty and staff--just be sure to register with your Mason email address when you sign up for the free cloud-based storage.
To learn more about Zotero, view the Zotero Help Guide videos from the University Libraries below:
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Click the link below for download and installation information:
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Report an access barrier!
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HAVING TROUBLE? Mason is committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities are afforded equivalent access to all of the university's programs and services. Any member of the Mason community encountering digital (e.g., websites that do not work with your assistive technology) and/or physical accessibility barriers (e.g., automatic doors not working, block walkways/doorways, etc.) can report the issue to the ATI.
Select the link below to report an issue.
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The next issue of the A11y newsletter will be published and distributed on Monday, May 2nd.
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Assistive Technology Initiative
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