What is the Assistive Technology ?
The main focus of the Assitive Technology (AT) service is to provide helpful information/support on how you can get the best use out of technology and adaping it towards your study needs.
Assistive Technology (AT) is defined as "any use of technology which helps you perform a task more easily".
Assistive technology is a broad field, ranging from the use of very simple technology - your mobile phone or use of e-mail to the very complex - use of voice recognotion software or technology that will read information from your computer screen. For more information see our video clip:
Matching the student & technology assessment process
Before meeting with the Assitve Technology officer or accessing any technology supports you will be asked to complete on online assessment & then meet face to face. This assessment process called the MST ( Matching student & technology) looks at ensuring any technology you wish to use meets your need, ensures your have the nessecary IT skills and maps out any further training/support needed.
The assessment is a student led assessment broken into 3 areas:
- Initial use of technology - this 5min online assessment is completed prior to meeting with the AT officer to gain any information on past technology use and issues arising from its use.
- Assessment of 3rd level Activities and matching them to a technology need and disability - this 30-45min 1:1 meeting aims to look at what educational activities the student will be using technology and matches the student preference and ability to suggested Assitive technology based on feedback gained from phase 1 & educational activities.
- Feedback on use - This final 10min online and face to face end of academic year meeting looks at the outcomes of using the technology during the year and looks at how it can further be integrated into employment/ social activities.
The assessment has 3 clear aims:
- Provides a feedback of what the person thinks and feels towards technology & their actual need.
- Puts the onus on the student to select and use the resources available.
- Sets expectations - need for training
- Looks at the use of technology in moving into employment.
How to book an appointment for Assistive Technology support?
To avail of AT assistance you must first register with the Disability Service.
After registering with the service and are interested in looking at technology supports you may contact the Assitive Tecnology offier at andrew.costello@tcd.ie or asked to be referred to this service by your Disability Officer.
Types of Assitive Technology in Trinity College
Assistive Technology, or AT as it is called, is categorised into everyday technologies you might already use on your mobile or tablet to more specific devices that need training and getting use to with help from the AT officer. Below is a list of different AT we look for studetns to engage in:
- General Accessiblity Option already on your PC/MAC
- Ergonomic Aids
- Mindmapping Tools
- Screen reading Software
- Screen Magnification software
- Voice Recognition software
- Academic Support Technologies
- Loop system & Radio Aids
- Smart Phones & Apps
General Accessibility Options
Everyone can benefit from these simple adjustments that make your computer more comfortable to use.
All Windows based machines have a ease of use ccneter with loads of inbuilt accessiblity tips found be browsing to all programs/accessories/ease of use
.
For more info on how to use the ease of use option within Windows see this helpful video.
Ergonomic Aids
Ergonomics is the study of ease of use and these aids can help reduce RSI and tiredness. Anyone who uses a computer, particularly Office workers can benefit from these type of aids e.g. wrist rests, anti-glare screen, ergonomic keyboards, trackerball mice, ergonomic furniture.
For more on Ergonomics and how it can help click here
Large/LCD Montiors
Large monitors are an important equipment item for visually impaired users. As mentioned above, this is particularly important if someone is using screen magnification software, as it will ensure a larger proportion of information can be viewed on screen at any one time.
Mind-mapping
Everyone could use a little help organising their thoughts, be it for a term paper or the end of year financial report. Mind-mapping or brain-storming are creative techniques of getting your thoughts down quickly and then organising them. You can use paper and a pen - which is very low cost AT! or there are software packages such as Inspiration and MindGenius.
Screen Reading Software
These applications have been designed for blind computer users to facilitate access to the the web, documents and day to day computer use. This software enables the blind person to use keyboard short cuts to read toolbars and document content. The user will need to invest a great deal of time and practice to become accustomed to its use. At Trinity we use JAWS screen reader.
FOr more inforamtion on Jaws see there support website at: http://www.freedomscientific.com/training/JAWS-training-hq.asp
Screen Magnification
Screen Magnification does come as part of the ease of access option in Windows and MAC OS. However there is more sophisicated screen magnification software available; e.g. at Trinity we use ZoomText which come with filters such as screen reading and colour filters.
For more on Zoomtext and its uses click here.
Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV)
CCTVs provide enlargement for paper based text and are valuable for users who wish to read handouts or use books without the need for enlargement by photocopying. Desk top and portable versions are available as are colour and black and white models.
Using CCTVs is usually important for visually impaired library users as it allows them to skim text and select relevant sections which they may wish to enlarge by photocopying later. This obviously allows much more independent research and saves considerable expense in wasted copies.
There is presently a CCTV in place for use in the assistive area of the Ussher library. If neeeded there is also a portable CCTV available for use by contacting the Assitive Technology officer.
Voice Dictation Software
Why type when you can speak ?
Voice dictation software can allow complete hands-free access and control of a computer. Such control requires a substantial investment of time in order to train the software to recognise the user’s voice. However it can be an incredibly enabling technology particularly for users with keyboard difficulties e.g. people with dexterity and mobility problems. When used in conjunction with a keyboard this software can help users word-process more effectively. At Trinity we have opted for natural speech recognition called Dragon Naturally Speaking.
For more on Dragon software see their website at: http://www.nuance.com/dragon/accessibility/index.htm
Please note that Dragon is used to take dictation from a single user's voice and cannot take multipe voice inputs & tones to dictate into a single document.
Academic Support Technologies
Livescribe Pen
What starts on paper, doesn't have to stay there. Livescribe smartpens bring your words & ideas into your digital world. The pen lets you write digital notes using special paper and a pen with a tiny built-in infrared camera that tracks the nib's exact location on the page. Conveniently, this new pen uses a built-in Wi-Fi adaptor to communicate with your PC rather than a wired USB connection.
Click this link to learn more about the Livescribe Pen - http://www.livescribe.com/en-gb/solutions/students/
Audio Notetaker
Audio Notetaker offers a visual and interactive form of note taking one where audio, text and images are used to create truly comprehensive notes.Instead of the single stream of information you get with standard audio, Audio Notetaker splits your recording up into individual phrases and displays them on screen as a bar.You can then organise these bars by colour coding great sections and removing not so great sections.
Click this link to learn more about Audio Notetaker -http://www.sonocent.com/en/the_software/schools/
Digital Dictaphones
Students can use the digital dictaphone to record lectures, assignments and research information. Students have fuller control over the playback, they can pause and rewind much more easily than using a cassette player. This is useful for visual impaired students, those with dyslexia and learning difficulties. Digital dictaphones have the added attraction of being able to transfer recordings onto PC and even synchronise with some voice recognition software.
Read & Write software
Read & Write is a literacy support tool designed to assist users of all ages who require extra assistance when reading or composing text.
It is designed to help computer users with reading and writing difficulties. It can read text aloud and help you construct words and sentences. It also has many other features, such as advanced spell checking and word prediction.
Read & write is installed on all computers in the public computer rooms across campus.
You can also check out Texthelps website which has free to use training material to help you get the best out of R&W
C-Pen
Highlight any text and the C-Pen digital highlighter will instantly insert the text in any application. No more yellow highlighters and no more typing.The included C-Pen software comes with a full text to speech engine, that lets you listen to anything you highlight. FOre more info click on this link - http://www.cpen.com/
TTRS - Touch Type Read & Spell 
Touch type Read and Spell (TTRS) is designed to help adults with dyslexia and difficulties in reading, spelling and writing. Learners complete the carefully-structured program of exercises comprising the course via an internet enabled PC or Mac.
For more information please click this link : http://readandspell.com/
Loop Systems
A Loop System enables hearing aid users hear various sound sources in large rooms or reception areas, in auditoriums, offices, theatres, or other large public areas.
A loop of insulated wire is fixed around a designated listening area and is connected to a power source, an amplifier and a microphone.
Hearing aids which have the ‘T’ switch can be set at this position, thus allowing the user receive a signal, which is carried from the microphone to the amplifier and is transmitted through to the loop wire, similar to a transmitting aerial.
We have a number of loop systems installed around Collge.Find there locations here.
Smart phones
You can buy mic attachments that will turn your iPhoned into a digital dictaphone (see above) to record lecturers, notes etc.
Smart APPS
Voice Dream
Extract text from PDF, ePub, Word, and Text files in Dropbox, Google Drive or on your device & listen to them on the go. Dyslexia friendly font, Focused Reading Mode to help with focusing attention, and full VoiceOver support, large font size and customizable colors for visually impaired.
Click this link for more information & to download - Voice Dream
Azzapt
Azzapt focused on helping users to access, view, comprehend and navigate digital information independently and successfully.
Click this link for more information & to download - Azzapt
Sound Note
SoundNote tracks what you type and draw while recording audio, so you'll never worry about missing an important detail.
While playing back your recording, just tap a word; SoundNote will jump right to that point in the audio.
SoundNote is perfect for students. If you ever fall asleep in class, don't worry SoundNote's got your back. Just tap what you wrote while you were awake, and SoundNote will play the audio to help you fill in the blanks.
Click this link for more information & to download - Sound Note info
Genius Scan
Genius Scan turns youriPhone into a pocket scanner. It enables you to quickly scan documents on the go and email the scans as JPEG or PDF.
Click this link for more information & to download - Genius Scan