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 materials contained in their Canvas courses on demand using the Alternative Formats option. 

The following resources can guide you in accessing and utilizing Ally’s alternative formats

• Alternative Formats for Students
• Video: How to download alternative formats in Canvas
• Student FAQs for 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.

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

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:

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.

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.

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:

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
• Android TalkBack

• 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

• 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 (Narrator, with settings adjusted)
  • Android OS (Text-to-Speech)
  • Mac OS & iOS (Spoken Content)
  • Office 365 (Speak in Word, Outlook, OneNote, PowerPoint)
  • Google Workspace
  • Digital Textbooks (e.g., RedShelf)

Full access to Read&Write and Equatio is available to all current UC students, faculty, and staff. 

To get Read&Write or Equatio:

1. Go to Read&Write or Equatio product page
2. Click the "Try Read&Write" or "Try Equatio" button
3. Select your desired platform from the drop-down menu
   1. Read&Write desktop versions: downloads .exe or .dmg file to your device. Open the file to install.
   2. Read&Write mobile apps: redirects to iTunes or Google Play Store for download.
   3. Browser extension or add-on: redirects a Chrome or Edge webpage. Click "Add to Chrome" or "Get" button.
   4. Equatio desktop versions: select your operating system to download an .exe or .dmg file to your device. Open the file to install.
   5. Equatio Web app: redirects to a page that prompts you to log in. Follow instructions below.

To authenticate full access to the program:

1. Open Read&Write or Equatio
2. Select "Sign into Microsoft Account"
3. Sign in when prompted using your UC email address and campus password
   (Students mail.uc.edu; Employees: ucmail.uc.edu)

To access OrbitNote PDF reader:

1. Go to the OrbitNote PDF reader online platform
2. A box will display (you may need to allow pop-ups from OrbitNote
3. Select "Sign into Microsoft Account"
4. Sign in when prompted using your UC email address and campus password
   (Students mail.uc.edu; Employees: ucmail.uc.edu)

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

• Read&Write 
  • Read&Write Feature Tour
  • Read&Write Learning Resources
• Equatio
  • Equatio Feature Tour
  • Equatio Learning Resources