Assistive technology is an item, piece of equipment, or product that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of an individual with a disability.
It is a goal of the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) to provide assistive technology tools in support of student accessibility and success. Use this page to learn about Kurzweil 3000 and explore various Assistive Technology tools.
Personalize your Windows Computer with built-in accessibility features to support ease with vision, hearing, learning, neurodiversity, and mobility interactions with your computer. Learn how to set up a device and how to get Office 365 at WCU.
Personalize your Mac Computer with any of the built-in accessibility features to support vision, hearing, mobility, learning and other interactions with your computer.
Built on the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Kurzweil 3000 is our primary assistive technology tool for text-to-speech - a useful option for reading, word processing, and material comprehension. This software is available free to all 蘑菇短视频students and staff, regardless of registration status with our office.
You may sign up for your free Kurzweil 3000 account, by completing the User Sign Up Form linked below. Please keep note of the Username and Password you are given; you will need this to log into your Kurzweil 3000 account.
Testing with Kurzweil 3000: Text-To-Speech within Respondus Lockdown Browser is available by enabling. You will need to use your Kurzweil username and password to login.
Kurzweil 3000 Read the Web Extension: Add the Read the Web extension to your Chrome or Firefox web browser to read web pages aloud with text-to-speech, translate words, and see definitions from three dictionaries within your web browser.
If you have any questions or issues setting up your account or accessing all of the Kurzweil 3000 features, please contact our office at accessibility@wcu.edu or 828.227.3886
| Use with LiveScribe Phone App or LiveScribe Desktop App | Smartpens allow you to take notes while simultaneously recording classroom lectures or discussion. Smartpens also saves digital copies of your notes, which may be transferred to a computer via USB or Bluetooth. | The OAR has a limited number of LiveScribe Smart Pens available for registered students. Please contact the OAR for more information. | |
| Apple iOS | Notetaking tool for those who are Blind or Visually Impaired created by the American Foundation for the Blind | Free | |
| Available for Macbook, Iphone, and Ipad | Notetaking and Recording | Free | |
| Available with Microsoft 365 | Microsoft digital note-taking app | Free | |
| Apple iOS; Google Play | Take notes with your stylus or finger while handwriting recognition turns these notes into typed text | $7.99 |
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蘑菇短视频students who are registered with the OAR may sign up for a free individual membership with Bookshare, gaining access to over a million e books. | |
| 蘑菇短视频students and staff have access to Kurzweil 3000 regardless of registration status with our office. Read content aloud with text-to-speech, translate, annotate or mark-up documents, and more! | ||
| Kurzweil 3000 - Read The Web Extension | Add the Read the Web extension to your Chrome or Firefox web browser to read web pages aloud with text-to-speech, translate words, and see definitions from three dictionaries within your web browser. You will need to use your Kurzweil username and password to login |
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| Kurzweil Read The Web for Lockdown Browser | Text-To-Speech within Respondus Lockdown Browser is available by enabling Kurzweil ReadTheWeb with LockDown Browser. You will need to use your Kurzweil username and password to login. | |
| Remove clutter from webpages for easier reading. Available as a Chrome extension. | Free | |
| Rewordify replaces higher-level vocabulary with words that are easier to understand | Free |
| PC and Macbook | Transcription app that records and transcribes. | Free basic version for individuals | |
| Mobile Phone | Create and edit documents of any length by voice - on your phone. | $14.99/month or $149/yr | |
| - The Google Keyboard | Mobile Phone | This Google Keyboard is automatically installed on all Androids and available for install on iOS. | Free |
| Mobile Phone - iOS/Apple Only | One-tap recording, transcription, and iCloud syncing on all your devices. | Free | |
| Mobile Phone - No iOS/Android Only |
Take notes with your voice for free - or automatically transcribe audio & video recordings on the spot. |
Free | |
| Macbook, Iphone, Ipad |
Transcribe is your own Personal Assistant for transcribing videos and voice memos into text. |
Free |
| Apple or Windows & Phone capability | A live captioning software that can be used on your phone or computer! Useful for lectures, events, in-person conversation, or Zoom meetings! | Free for Individuals |
| Apple iOS | Word Prediction app that gives you suggestions of words as you type with the option of reading your word options out loud with a swipe of your finger | $19.99 | |
| Apple iOS; Google Play | State-of-the-art system powerful enough for individuals who are blind or low vision to use by not needing to look at the screen to type | $0.99 | |
| Chrome Extension | Eliminate writing mistakes and contextual errors, spelling errors, and poor vocabulary usage | Free version available through your app store or Grammarly website | |
| Windows; Mac; Apple iOS; Google Play; Chrome and Safari Extension | |||
| Apple iOS | Make fewer mistakes, use the right words and organize your writing better with this app | $9.99 |