ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

BYU-Idaho provides assistive technology computer hardware and software to accomodate students with disabilities.  The computers in the Reading Center of McKay Library Rm 290 have a variety of software installed for this purpose. 

• MCK 290 Lab - 10 PC Compatible ADA Software/Hardware: Kurzweil 3000, Kurzweil 1000, JAWS, DSpeech, Flatbed Scanners.

• Text-To-Speech Software

Kurzweil 3000 - is the comprehensive reading, writing and learning software solution for any struggling reader, including individuals with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, attention deficit disorder or those who are English Language Learners.  Kurzweil displays the textbook page on the screen and then highlights the words as it reads it to you.  Learn more at  http://www.kurzweiledu.com/kurz3000.aspx or stop by for a demonstration. 

 

Kurzweil 1000 - is software that makes printed or electronic text readily available to people who are blind or visually impaired. It combines accessibility, communication and productivity tools to ease and enhance their reading, writing and learning experience.  Learn more at http://www.kurzweiledu.com/kurz1000.aspx or stop by for a demonstration.

 

DSpeech - A free text-to-speech program you can get for your own computer.  It has some pretty powerful features for a freeware program.  Download your copy at http://dimio.altervista.org/eng/ or stop by MCK 290 and ask for a CD copy.  You may want to add a computer voice if your computer doesn't have any newer - more natural sounding voices installed.

 

Computer Voices - Your computer may not have any pleasant sounding voices to read text.  You can add newer more realistic sounding voices from http://www.nextup.com/ or search on the web.  Most voices run around $35.00.  These voices work with most Text-to-Speech software including DSpeech. 

 

• FM Systems- We have FM Systems where the Instructor wears a wireless microphone and the student has the receiver with ear bud to hear the lecture better.  Please contact us well ahead of the semester to arrange for this type of accommodation.

• Captioning in the Classroom - CART, C-Print, Typewell or similar services can be provided as required.  Please contact us at least 4-6 weeks before semester begins to allow enough time to make arrangements with a captionist. 

• Voice Recorders - we have a variety of voice recorders that can be checked out for recording class lectures.  Some have a USB port to upload the lectures (audio files) to your computer.

• Audio Text Creation - Both Kurzweil and DSpeech have the ability to convert text to audio MP3, Wave or OGG formats.  Contact a Kurzweil lab asssitant for a demonstration.

• Audio Books - RFB&D has a large library of books recorded by human readers and students can get a FREE Membership and download books right away.  Signup online at http://www.learningally.org/Membership/20/.  Be sure to install their download manager before adding books to your cart.

• Distance Learning - contact our office for help with online class accomodations.

• Lab Assistants are available to help with training and scanning books in MCK 290.

Doug Ricks

Assistive Technology Coordinator

McKay Library Rm 261

Ph (208) 496-7219

Fax (208) 496-5198

ricksd@byui.edu