Accessible Technology

Accommodations provided

Student wearing headphones looking at computer screen. Photo is meant to show one type of accessible technology, headphones, available.

The Center for Accessible Resources (CAR) offers accessible technology designed to provide greater independence and equal access to technology and information resources, such as the internet. These technologies include: lab equipment, microphones, magnifiers, FM Systems, CCTV, speech-to-text software, alternate mice, computer keyboards, and more for those with documented disabilities.

Accessible technology for computers

Students with qualifying disabilities may request accessible technology for computers in labs and classrooms.

Examples of potential accessible technology accommodations include:

Large computer monitor and text enlarging software
Trackball, handshake mouse and other pointing devices
Ergonomic or Mini Keyboard
Assistive listening devices
Video magnifiers (CCTV)
Closed caption decoders
Alternative input devices
Talking calculators
Screen reader programs

Video on PDF Accessibility Tagging:

And specific software, such as:

Dragon Speech Recognition Software—Allows the user to enter text using voice commands instead of typing on the keyboard.

JAWS, Job Access with Speech—Reads aloud what is on screen. Includes commands to move within tables and between links or headings. JAWS will also output Braille.

ZoomText—Magnifies a portion of the screen.

WYNN—Reads text aloud while highlighting the spoken words.

Student using a smartpen, which is a pen with a computer inside that remembers what is written and later will upload it to a computer. Smartpens—Smartpens are ballpoint pens with an embedded computer and digital audio recorder. If used with the paper in the smartpen notebook the smartpen will record what it writes and later upload it to a computer. Please see the Livescribe (a company making smartpens) YouTube playlist for more information on using a smartpen.

Echo Desktop for Smartpens—Echo Desktop is computer software allowing people to view and listen to content created using a Smartpen. When a student uses a Smartpen provided by the Center for Accessible Resources (CAR) they will be given instructions for how to upload this software on to their computer; students can also find the instructions below.

Follow these steps to install Echo Desktop for the first time:

1. Verify that the computer meets software and hardware requirements.
2. Download the Echo Desktop installer from www.livescribe.com/install
3. Open the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

When asked to dock the Smartpen, use only the Micro-USB cable that came with the Smartpen.

Note: Do not register the Smartpen when prompted. The pen is property of Lane Community College’s Center for Accessible Resources (CAR).

The Accessible Technology Information Handout—This document contains further information about specific software.

Check out these microsoft accessibility tutorials to learn how to make your PC easier to use!

Accessible technology not related to computers

Accommodations provided

Video Magnifiers for enlarging and viewing text. The device can be used with individual pages or books. The printed material is placed under a camera and the enlarged printed copy is transmitted to a viewing screen/monitor.

Questions or concerns? Students should immediately contact their CAR primary advisor. If needed, visit CAR's Grievances page for information on informal and formal complaint processes.

To request this information in an alternate format (Braille, digital, audio, or large print), please contact Center for Accessible Resources: (541) 463-5150 (voice); 711 (relay); Building 19, 231; or AccessibleResources@lanecc.edu.