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Assistive Technology

AccessibleNU makes more broadly used assistive technology tools, such as Read&Write, Snap&Read, and SensusAccess available to the entire campus community via site licenses. When more specialized assistive technology is required as an accommodation, AccessibleNU provides access to registered students. 

Please contact AccessibleNU to schedule an appointment with Jim Stachowiak if you have further questions.

 

Examples of software and equipment

  • Text-to-speech software (Read&Write, OrbitNote)
  • Note taking tools (Echo Smartpen, Glean)
  • Speech-to-text software (Built-in tools, Google Voice Typing, Dragon Naturally Speaking)
  • Screen-enlarging software (ZoomText)
  • Screen-reading software (Jaws)
  • Accessible textbooks
  • FM assistive hearing devices
  • Braille translation software and embossers
  • CART and other captioning

This is not an exhaustive list and AccessibleNU will work to obtain needed technology that would not be considered a personal device.

Texthelp's Read&Write for Education

Â鶹´«Ã½ has purchased a site license of Texthelp's Read&Write for Education tools. Anyone with a Â鶹´«Ã½ NetID can access to use these tools. These tools allow students to have digital text (Word, HTML, PDF, ePUB) read aloud while offering various annotation support to improve the learning experience across platforms. Here are the tools available through Â鶹´«Ã½'s license:

OrbitNote 

Texthelp's OrbitNote is a cloud-based PDF reader accessed via your browser. This powerful study tool allows students to:

  • Listen to text in a PDF
  • Highlight text in a PDF and move it into another document for note taking purposes
  • Annotate a PDF via highlights, underlines, text, notes, etc.
To use OrbitNote:
  2. Click "Start Using OrbitNote" or "Open OrbitNote" (most common) to use the web application or Install OrbitNote to Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge
  3. When prompted to sign in, choose the appropriate method (Google = Students, Microsoft = Faculty and Staff) and enter your Â鶹´«Ã½ email and password.

OrbitNote Help

OrbitNote is easy to begin using. The Texthelp Academy provides a and its features to help students maximize it's effectiveness.

Note: OrbitNote can only read text-based PDFs. Should OrbitNote not be able to read your document, try converting it with SensusAccess first.

Read&Write Desktop

The Read&Write desktop software reads text aloud within text editors, PDFs, and online. This software is a toolbar that sits on top of the screen and works within other software programs on the computer. Read&Write Desktop is helpful if you are wanting to use the tool within several different types of documents. If you are primarily reading PDFs, OrbitNote offers a smoother interface. To obtain Read&Write, complete the following steps:

  1. .
  2. Follow the prompts to load it on your computer
  3. When prompted to sign in, choose the appropriate method (Google = Students, Microsoft = Faculty and Staff) and enter your Â鶹´«Ã½ email and password. Once you've signed in with your Â鶹´«Ã½ credentials you have access via our site license

Read&Write for Google Chrome

Read&Write for Google Chrome is a Chrome extension toolbar that provides text reading and learning support tools within the Chrome browser.  This is most helpful on Canvas, Google Docs, and websites. 

To obtain Read&Write for Google Chrome, complete the following steps:

  1. .
  2. Follow the prompts to load the extension into your Chrome browser
  3. When prompted to sign in, choose the appropriate method (Google = Students, Microsoft = Faculty and Staff) and enter your Â鶹´«Ã½ email and password. Once you've signed in with your Â鶹´«Ã½ credentials you have access via our site license

Read&Write Desktop and Chrome Help

Visit the Texthelp Academy for .

  also offers courses on specific aspects of the Read&Write tools for those wanting more in depth training.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact Jim Stachowiak at james.stachowiak@northwestern.edu or 847-491-2960.