The A11yThis A11y newsletter highlights assistive technology 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
- Things to know...
- Online Learning Resources
- Reading, Writing, and Notetaking Solutions
- Report a Barrier
- Coming Soon...
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Assistive Technology & Accessible Text Open houses - Today & Thursday @11:00am
The ATI is hosting open-house, drop-in sessions today and Thursday (Jan. 26th) to answer any questions you may have about our assistive technology and accessible text resources.
See below for the schedule (Select the link to attend the MS Teams session -- no registration required):
TODAY, Jan 24 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Thursday, Jan 26 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
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Tuesday Quick Talks with jackie!
Every Tuesday starting on Jan. 3lst, the ATI's new Assistive Technology Specialist, Jackie Servello, will be hosting 30-minute quick talk sessions highlighting useful assistive technology features/tools to assist you with accessing your instructional resources.
Select the link(s) below to register for the session:
- How to take Quick Notes using Glean - Jan. 31, Register
- All About Smartpens - Feb. 7, Register
- Text-to-Speech Resources - Feb. 14, Register
- Getting Started with Voice Recognition - Feb. 21, Register
- How to take Quick Notes using Glean - Feb. 28, Register
- All About Smartpens - Mar. 7, Register
- Text-to-Speech Resources - Mar. 14, Register
- Getting Started with Voice Recognition - Mar. 21, Register
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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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Reading, Writing, and Notetaking solutions
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Free Reading/Writing TOOLS!
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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., email, Word docs, PDFs), levels vocabulary, and can translate several languages.
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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Co:Writer Universal
The Co:Writer Universal Extension for Chrome™ assists you with using proper grammar and spelling when you write. It integrates with the Chrome™ browser for word prediction and speech recognition just about anywhere you write online including Google Docs™, Microsoft Word, Blackboard, online tests, social media, email, etc. It integrates seamlessly with Snap & Read to provide you with a robust reading and writing solution.
View the quick video demo (2:51) 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)
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To request your own copy, select the link below!
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Free Notetaking Resources!
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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 300 free minutes of audio transcription per month. That's the equivalent of 5 1-hr lectures per month. Student/Teacher discounted accounts only cost $5 per month or $50 per year if paid upfront. This gives you up to 6,000 minutes per month of audio transciption!
- Summary Keyword generation per transcript
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Prefer handwritten notes? Try the Livescribe Smartpens!
For those who prefer to take handwritten notes as opposed to type-written notes, the Livescribe Echo, Aegir, and 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.
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Need help with lockdown browser?Lockdown Browser has presented huge challenges for assistive technology (AT) users in recent years, especially those using text-to-speech tools like Natural Reader, Snap&Read, and Read&Write. To learn more about the AT solutions supported on the LockDown Browser platform, visit LockDown Browser and Assistive Technology on the ATI website.
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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 in August 2023.
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Assistive Technology Initiative
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