Assistive Technology

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, and improve the capabilities of students with disabilities. It can also serve as a useful tool for students without disabilities.

Simpson College uses a variety of assistive technology with students who have documented disabilities. They include:

• Audiobooks: 
  • www.accesstext.org/ 
  • http://www.bibiovault.org/BV.accessibility.epl 
  • http://www.bookshare.org/ 
  • http://learningally.org/
• Text to speech:
  • https://www.kurzweiledu.com/default.html
• Notetaking Support: 
  • www.livescribe.com – smartpens (you take notes while simultaneously recording classroom lectures or discussion)
    • Smartpens will be available through the Student Accessibility Office and students who have used this technology will be available to help you with any questions.
    • For more information on Smartpens at Simpson, read Chad Carter’s article.
• Speech Recognition Software 
  •  https://www.nuance.com/dragon.html – Dragon NaturallySpeaking (you write, it types)
• Student Technology Support Team
  • Simpson is putting together a student led technology support team to assist students who are using technology for the first time. They will be available through appointment. For help from this team, please contact the Center for Academic Resources who will connect you with the appropriate technology guru for your particular situation.