Accessible Technology

Accessibility Resources offers support with:

• Textbooks and other course materials in accessible alternative formats
• Guidance on software, hardware, apps, learning aides, and other technologies and devices that facilitate accessibility

Although the University of Cincinnati strives to create an accessible learning experience, there may be times when it is not possible for course materials (textbooks, journal articles, other academic documents) to be readily available in an accessible format that is compatible with assistive or adaptive technologies.

Once approved for the accommodation, students may request course materials in alternative formats.

• Alternative Format Request Policy and Procedure
• Alternative Format Textbook Request Form

Students can download alternative formats of documents and content in their Canvas courses on demand using the Alternative Formats option.

• How to Download Alternative Formats from Canvas video: step-by-step instructions to download alternative formats in Canvas
• Alternative Format Options in Canvas - Ally Overview video: a brief summary of the Ally alternative format generator in Canvas, including what content can be converted by Ally and which file types are available to download

For more details about the alternative format options available via Ally and guidance on selecting the format that works for you, see the resources linked below.

• Ally Alternative Formats for Students
• Student FAQ about Ally alternative formats
  

Please note: The alternative formats provided via Ally are not intended to replace the accommodation process, but are offered as one of many options for students to access content independently.

Accessibility Resources can provide access to and guidance on various assistive and adaptive technologies for student accommodations, as well as resources and recommendations for getting the most out of the available software and devices.

The following software is available through Digital Technology Solutions (DTS).

• UC students can use Office 365 or download the Office apps (desktop versions) to their own devices (on up to 5 PCs or Macs, 5 tablets, and 5 smartphones). 
  
• You can find instructions to access both versions on the Email & Collaboration page on the Digital Technology Solutions (DTS) site.
• Learn more about accessibility in Microsoft Office 365 products

Acrobat Pro is available to students in two ways:

• computers on the 4th floor of Langsam Library, and
• via the MyDesk Virtual Desktop.

To access Acrobat Pro on the computers on the 4th floor of Langsam:

1. Open the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app
2. Log in with your UC credentials
3. Select “company or school” account 
4. Complete DUO authentication
5. Next, you will see a list of all the available Adobe apps, including Acrobat Pro. 
6. Open Acrobat Pro.
7. Log in with your student credentials. This should authenticate access under UC’s enterprise license as long as you are currently a full-time student.

 To access Acrobat Pro via MyDesk:

1. Launch MyDesk (there is a download or web option)
2. Log in using your UC username and password
3. Open the "Student Desktop"
4. Once the virtual desktop loads, there should be a shortcut on the desktop for Adobe Creative Cloud
5. Open Acrobat Pro
6. Log in with your student credentials. This should authenticate access under UC’s enterprise license as long as you are currently a full-time student.

The following tools are licensed by UC Accessibility Resources. The features they provide can help provide more accessible experiences for students, faculty and staff in their learning, teaching, and work.

Equatio is a math writing tool that makes math both digital and accessible. Type, handwrite, or dictate mathematical expressions, and use the screenshot tool to have math read aloud, generate editable math, and more. 

• See TextHelp Tools Installation and Activation section below for access instructions and resources.

Read&Write is a literacy support tool that offers help with everyday tasks like reading text out loud, creating study notes, understanding unfamiliar words, proofing written work, and more.

• See TextHelp Tools Installation and Activation section below for access instructions and resources.

A single Fusion license & installation gives you access to both ZoomText and JAWS individually, or together. See JAWS and ZoomText below for details.

See the Freedom Scientific Training Center for guidance on how to use Fusion, JAWS and ZoomText.

JAWS (Job Access With Speech) was developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse. JAWS provides speech and Braille output for the most popular computer applications on your PC.

To download JAWS on a personal device:

1. Go to Freedom Scientific's sponsored license page.
2. Enter your UC email address in the Email Address field.
3. Click "Search". The page should display a message that you are qualified to one Home Annual License on up to three devices.
4. Click "Continue to Registration".
5. Complete the registration form to activate a license.
6. Select the program you wish to download.
   1. Note: you can only download one Freedom Scientific program (JAWS, ZoomText, or Fusion) via the sponsored license program.
7. Open the program installation file and follow the installation prompts.

ZoomText Magnifier/Reader is a fully integrated magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users. ZoomText enlarges and enhances everything on your computer screen, echoes your typing and essential program activity, and automatically reads documents, web pages, email.

To download ZoomText on a personal device:

1. Go to Freedom Scientific's sponsored license page.
2. Enter your UC email address in the Email Address field.
3. Click "Search". The page should display a message that you are qualified to one Home Annual License on up to three devices.
4. Click "Continue to Registration".
5. Complete the registration form to activate a license.
6. Select the program you wish to download.
   1. Note: you can only download one Freedom Scientific program (JAWS, ZoomText, or Fusion) via the sponsored license program.
7. Open the program installation file and follow the installation prompts.

• Messenger Pigeon
  • Accessibility Resources provides access to Messenger Pigeon (formerly Notetaking Express) for students who have a Notetaker accommodation, either in place of or as a supplement to a volunteer peer notetaker.
  • Messenger Pigeon is a study app designed to enhance your learning experience through audio recordings, transcripts and summary notes.
  • For guidance on using Messenger Pigeon, please refer to the How To Guides playlist on the Habitat Learn YouTube channel.
• Glean
  
  • As of Spring 2024, Accessibility Resources is transitioning from Glean to Messenger Pigeon.
    

• NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access)
  • NVDA allows blind and vision impaired people to access and interact with the Windows operating system and many third party applications.
  • The NVDA screen reader can be downloaded free of charge by anyone. 
  • NVDA is open source software, which means the code is accessible to anyone. This enables translators and developers around the world to continually contribute to its expansion and improvement.
• Windows Narrator

• Mac OS
  • The Accessibility Shortcuts panel offers shortcuts to quickly turn on or turn off common accessibility features such as Zoom, VoiceOver, and Sticky Keys.
•    VoiceOver
  • Apple support: Change VoiceOver preferences for accessibility on Mac OS

• Android TalkBack

• Dictation features built into 
  • Windows and Android OS 
  • Mac OS and iOS
  • Office 365 (Dictate in Word, Outlook, OneNote, PowerPoint)
  • Google Workspace, etc.
• Dragon Speech Recognition Software 
  • Offers powerful speech recognition technology that includes dictation and transcription capabilities, speech commands, and other features that can improve document creation productivity.
  • See the Nuance online store for product options.
  • UC students and employees may be eligible for academic pricing. 

• Features built into 
  • Windows - Guide to Windows Narrator
  • Android OS - TalkBack
  • Mac OS & iOS (Spoken Content and VoiceOver)
  • Microsoft Edge - Immersive Reader
  • Microsoft Word - Listen to Word documents
  • Office 365 - Speak in Outlook, OneNote, PowerPoint
  • Google Workspace
  • Digital Textbooks (e.g., RedShelf)

Access to Read&Write Premium and Equatio Premium is available to all current UC students and employees. 

1. Go to the Read&Write Student Resources page.
2. Click the “Download Now” or “Install Now” button for your desired platform. 
   1. Note: Features may vary among versions. See the Read&Write Feature Comparison Matrix for details.
3. Follow the steps below for your selected platform.
   • Google Chrome: In the Chrome web store, click the "Add to Chrome" button and confirm the installation.
   • Microsoft Edge: In the Edge add-ons site, click the "Get" button and confirm the installation.
   • Windows: Clicking the "Download Now" button will download a .exe file to your device. Open the file to install and follow installation prompts.
     • If you want to use Read&Write for Windows to read text on the web, install the Support for Read&Write Desktop Google Chrome extension (Google Chrome only).
   • Android tablets: In the Google Play Store, click the "Install" button to download the app and follow installation prompts.
     • For the product code, contact the Digital Access Team at Digital Access@uc.edu.
   • Mac: Clicking the "Download Now" button will download a .dmg file to your device. Open the file to install and follow installation prompts.
     • Safari for Mac OS: To use the Read&Write toolbar in the Safari Browser, you must be signed in to Read&Write on your Mac and activate the Read&Write Support extension. To activate the extension, open Safari . You will be prompted to install an extension called "Read And Write Support 1.0". Click Enable Now to install the extension. The Extensions section of the Preferences menu will open. Check the box next to the Read&Write in the Extensions list. 
   • iPhone or iPad: In the Apple App Store, click the "Get" button to download and follow installation prompts.
     
     • Safari for iOS: To access the Read&Write Web Toolbar in Safari, tap on the Share icon in the Safari toolbar, then tap on the Read&Write icon (you may have to scroll down). If the web toolbar does not open, refresh the page and make sure you are signed in to the Read&Write app on your iPad.
4. Follow the instructions below to authenticate the Premium license.

1. Go to the Equatio Student Resources page.
2. Click the “Download Now” or “Install Now” button for your desired platform.
3. Follow the steps below for your selected platform.
   • Google Chrome: In the Chrome web store, click the "Add to Chrome" button and confirm the installation.
   • Windows: Clicking the “Download Now” button will download a .exe file to your device. Open the file to install and follow installation prompts.
     
   • Mac: Clicking the “Download Now” button will download a .dmg file to your device. Open the file to install and follow installation prompts.
4. Follow the instructions below to authenticate the Premium license.

1. Open Read&Write or Equatio.
2. Select "Sign in with Microsoft".
3. Sign in using your UC email address and password.

1.  Go to the Equatio mathspace login page.
2. Log in with your UC email address and password.

Equatio tools are available to use within any text box in Canvas that gives you access to the text editor tools. Text boxes can be found within assignment submissions, quizzes, discussion posts, etc. 

Equatio tools available in Canvas include: the Equation Editor, the LaTeX editor, the Desmos Graphing Calculator, Handwriting Recognition, and Speech Recognition. 

To access Equatio tools in a Canvas text box:

1. In the text editing toolbar, click the “More...” button (which looks like three vertical dots). The toolbar will expand.
2. Click the Insert Equatio Equation button in the expanded toolbar. (The icon looks like a blue diamond.) The Insert Equatio Equation box will open.

TextHelp provides resources, instructional videos and online reference guides to assist you:

Read&Write:

• Introduction to Read&Write video
• Read&Write Academy
  • Read&Write Feature Tour Videos
  • Read&Write How-To Articles 
  • Read&Write Learning Materials
• Read&Write Support site
• Read&Write Feature Comparison Matrix

Equatio:

• Introduction to Equatio video
• Equatio Academy - a hub for Equatio resources
  • Equatio Feature Tour Videos
  • Equatio How-To Articles
  • Equatio Learning Resources
• Equatio Support site