Accessibility Resources

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

Course Materials in Alternative Format

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.

Use Ally in Canvas for Alternative Formats

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

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.

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.

Software and Technologies

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.

Free Software Available to UC community

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

Microsoft Office

  • 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). 
  • See the Email & Collaboration page on the Digital Technology Solutions (DTS) site for instructions to access Office 365 online and desktop apps.
  • Learn more about accessibility in Microsoft Office 365 products

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Acrobat Pro is available to students in two ways:

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 virtual desktop:

  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.

Assistive Technology Available at UC

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

Equatio

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. Full access to Equatio Premium is available to all current UC students and employees. 

Read&Write

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. Full access to Read&Write Premium is available to all current UC students and employees.

OrbitNote

OrbitNote is a PDF editor and reading tool that make PDFs more accessible and interactive. OrbitNote can convert printed text into a PDF with one-click OCR scanning technology. OrbitNote also offers reading and study support tools such as text to speech, highlighting, and vocabulary support. Access to OrbitNote Premium is available to all UC students and employees through the University’s campus-wide license.

Fusion (JAWS & ZoomText)

A single Fusion license & installation gives you access to both JAWS and ZoomText. See the Fusion product page on the Freedom Scientific website for details.

JAWS

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. See the JAWS product page on the Freedom Scientific website for details.

ZoomText

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. See the ZoomText product page on the Freedom Scientific website for details.

Notetaking Support

  • 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.
    • To log in to Messenger Pigeon or download the desktop or mobile app, please visit the Messenger Pigeon landing page.
    • 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.

Other Assistive Technology

The technologies listed below are not provided directly by UC, but they are available for users to download or purchase, or are built into the operating systems of common devices.

EPUB Readers

There are many other free options for EPUB readers for Windows and Mac, including 

To read an EPUB without downloading an app, try the TextHelp ePub reader to read EPUBs via your browser.

Screen Readers

Windows
  • 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 and iOS
Android

Speech-to-Text

  • 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. 

Text-to-Speech