Assistive technology (AT) refers to “any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities” (Assistive Technology Industry Association, n.d., para. 2).
AT creates access and enhances the engagement, participation, and learning of OTC’s diverse student body.
These tools are designed to serve the needs of individuals with disabilities, but they can also greatly benefit individuals without disabilities. Anyone who has difficulty (consistently or intermittently) with speaking, listening, typing, writing, remembering, seeing, learning, moving, planning, organizing, paying attention, or other difficulties which impede a student’s access to course content and materials may benefit from the use of assistive technology. Check out some of the specific tools below.
Students registered with the Disability Support Services Office may speak with their Disability Resource Counselor about potential AT tools and accommodations.
Students may also contact OTC’s assistive technology staff by email at accessiblemedia@otc.edu for more information.
OTC’s Disability Support Services (DSS) Office maintains a varied supply of AT tools available for loan to students registered with DSS. Other AT tools can be accessed in OTC’s built or online learning environments, or through outside providers/vendors, and/or on personal computers or devices.
Tools available through DSS at OTC:
Digital Recorders, Smart Pens, Livescribe Pens, CPen readers, Phonak Microphone/receivers, Davinci Desktop Magnifier, Fusion software: (JAWS, Zoomtext), Read&Write software
See more details by clicking on the specific tool below and Talk with your DSS Resource Counselor if you are interested in trying or using any of these tools.
Natural Readers is an online reader anyone can access and use for PDF documents, ebooks, etc.
See more at Natural Readers Online
Fusion is a download provided through IT at OTC
It is available to current students
JAWS is a text to speech reader for hard of hearing or deaf students
ZoomText allows for enlargement of your display for those with low vision
EVIDA V618 Portable Digital Voice Recorder with Playback function, a recorder for students and others in 1536kbps high quality audio.
Recording Device with USB – A Voice recorder can be quickly recharged, simple and fast file transfer onto computer with type-c cable.
Not only an mini voice recorder with playback function, but also a MP3 player, support most of the music formats MP3/WAV/FLAC/APE/OGG/WMA
Voice Recorder Small, Easy to Carry Around
Why EVIDA V618 Digital Recorder?
V618 is a 32GB digital audio recorder with 2020 upgraded omni-direction microphones with enhanced recording chip, record lecture, meeting, conversation and more in a clear 1536kbps quality. It can have up to 54 hours super long continuous recording time with full battery, store 2320 hours of recording files, or 10,000 songs. It is a great voice recording device to save your phone’s power by fulfilling all your recording needs. EVIDA has specialists to give friendly instructions over phones to make sure every customer is familiar with all the features in the device
Read & Write for Windows is a literacy software designed to help students with reading, writing, and research.
This is a software download provided by IT at OTC
It is available to current OTC students.
For more information about Read & Write:
Capture what’s important with an Echo smartpen. Record everything you hear, say, and write, while linking your audio recordings to your notes. Quickly replay audio from your Livescribe paper or a computer with a simple tap on your handwritten notes. It’s never been easier to take notes and stay organized.
Save notes & pencasts directly to your computer
Compatibility
Check out more on the livescribe site
Or try out this youtube tutorial
The UbiDuo is a portable communication tool for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or hearing.
When do I use the UbiDuo?
• When an interpreter is not available
• Whenever you need to facilitate communication face-to-face
• Eliminates bluffing, writing and miscommunication
Can I see the UbiDuo in action?
• Yes! Staff at DSS would be happy to show you this simple technology.
• Watch the UbiDuo in action at scomm.com
• Instructions for using the UbiDuo can be found on the Gateway website under Disability Support Services,
Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Who can use the UbiDuo?
• Faculty, staff and students
• If you are on campus, you can use the UbiDuo!
• Faculty can meet with a student when an interpreter is not available
• Students can work together on projects communicating with a deaf group member
The Davinci Magnifier is only available in the DSS office. It is a helpful tool to magnify papers or exams for students who have low vision.
See more at enhancedvision.com
Phonak Roger Pen – This universal, wireless microphone in shape of a pen helps people with hearing loss to understand more speech in noise and over distance. The Roger Pen must be paired with the Roger MyLink which is a universal neckloop receiver, compatible with any hearing aid or cochlear implant with a T-coil.
The Phonak Roger Pen is easy and discreet to operate with microphone settings automatically adjust to noise levels around you. The Roger Pen is designed to better enhance speech. The Roger Pen has been scientifically proven to help hearing instrument users understand up to 62% more speech in noise and over distance than people without hearing loss.
The Phonak Roger Pen is used with the miniature Roger MyLink Receiver which can be connected directly to hearing aids or cochlear implants. Roger MyLink is a universal neckloop receiver compatible with any hearing aid or cochlear implant with a T-coil. Also, people who do not wear hearing aids can use Roger MyLink Receiver with headphones instead.
The Phonak Roger Pen can transmit the sound of multimedia devices e.g. TV and has wideband Bluetooth for cellphone calls. There is a range of up to 10 meters/ 32 feet between the Roger Pen and the Roger Receiver . Once fully charged, Roger MyLink can be used for 10 or more hours. The Roger Pen comes supplied with a docking station for fast and effective battery charging. Radically transform your listening experience both in the workplace and at home.