ACCESS TO ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

A variety of assistive technology is available to students with disabilities. Some students may need to type their notes or assignments on a computer, with or without special software. Students with visual impairments may benefit from screen- reading software. Other students may need to use a Braille typewriter, note-taking solutions or magnifying products. 

ACCESS TO CLASS NOTES

Note takers can help students who are not able to take their own or sufficient notes during class due to a disability or an ongoing medical condition. Note taking does not replace attendance requirements.

ALTERNATE FORMAT MATERIAL

Students with a variety of disabilities including, but not limited to, blindness or low vision, physical disabilities and learning disabilities, may require their print materials to be produced in an alternative format (electronic, large print or Braille). Alternate format materials provide students with print disabilities access to academic materials.

ASL INTERPRETING

An interpreter/transcriber is simply one who bridges the gap between the spoken and deaf world. When the teacher or a classmate speaks, the interpreter/transcriber translates the spoken words into the language preferred by the deaf or hard of hearing student. The student likewise participates in the classroom by signing or typing the information and the interpreter voices it (talks) for the class.

ASSISTED LISTENING DEVICES

Some students who are hard of hearing may require an assistive listening device. Each device is different. In most cases, unless there is an audio system in the room that has a built-in ALD, the instructor will be required to wear a small device with a microphone so that the student can hear.

CAPTIONING

Students who are deaf or hard of hearing will need to have all videos shown in class to have captioning.

RECORDING LECTURES

Some students may need to be able to record their lectures due to the nature of their disability.

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS

Some accommodations relate to test taking. Time-and-one-half for testing is the usual accommodation given to students who, for disability-related reasons, work slowly and require additional time to complete tests. A few students also may need to take tests in a room with limited distractions or with no other students present. For example, a student may need to read test questions aloud, and this would be disturbing to other test-takers. Still other students may request the use of a laptop computer or adaptive computer technology for taking essay exams, distraction-reduced rooms, a scribe, large print, special lighting, etc. Disability Services provides a testing space as a service for faculty and students.