Assistive Technology

No tech and low tech devices and software do not have a battery or power source. This doesn't mean that they aren't useful though! Examples include blindness canes, stands, pencil grips, tactile displays, and magnifying glasses.

Mid tech devices are less common. They are often paired with high tech devices and powered by a battery. Examples include portable scanners, calculators, timers, or portable typing devices.

CPEN produces digital reading pens that scan text, read the text out loud and can even translate for students for whom English is an additional language. The pens also have a dictionary included for quick access to definitions. CPEN is compatible with Mac, PC, and Linux operating systems and does not require its own software.

https://cpen.com/

Texthelp isn't just a reader and a writer anymore, it is a whole suite of assistive software. Read&Wrtie continues as one of the leading readers, with writing capacity to help express yourself. Equatio makes math both digital and accessible. Type, handwrite, or dictate any expression with no tricky coding to master. OrbitNote creates and accessible, dynamic and collaborative space to create PDF and other digital formats.

http://www.texthelp.com

The Kurzweil program is designed to help students with their reading and writing skills. Its ability to scan and read text allows users to strengthen their comprehension through auditory and visual representation. As well, its Study Skills toolbar has a number of valuable options. Compatible with Mac and Windows.

https://www.kurzweiledu.com/default.html

Dictation is a Microsoft tool that allows you to use speech-to-text to author content in Microsoft Office products with a microphone and reliable internet connection. Use your voice to quickly create documents, emails, notes, presentations, or even slide notes.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/dictate-in-microsoft-365-eab2...

Google Voice Typing is a free dictation tool for Google Docs and Google Slides, Google's online word processor and presentation apps. To use it, you must be connected to the internet with the Google Chrome Browser on Windows, MacOS or Chromebook devices. Voice Typing is also available on Google Android devices.

https://support.google.com/docs/answer/4492226?hl=en

The Livescribe Smartpen is a pen that records everything you write and hear. The Smartpen works with Livescribe Interactive Dot paper and synchronizes audio recordings to your handwritten notes. The audio recording can be played back by tapping on important points in your notes. Users can transfer all handwritten notes and audio files to Evernote for future use. Smartpens address individual learning styles by offering options to set pen settings and preferences. The companion app Livescribe+ is available for Android, iOS, Amazon, Windows and Mac.

http://www.livescribe.com/en-ca/

Dragon is a speech recognition software. A student can directly dictate into the computer, eliminating their need to type. Dragon Naturally Speaking is particularly useful for students who can verbalize their thoughts but may experience difficulties with writing. Dragon Naturally Speaking is available for Windows, Android and iOS, but not Mac.

https://shop.nuance.com/store/nuanceus/en_US/Content/pbPage.home?currenc...

The Livescribe Smartpen is a pen that records everything you write and hear. The Smartpen works with Livescribe Interactive Dot paper and synchronizes audio recordings to your handwritten notes. The audio recording can be played back by tapping on important points in your notes. Users can transfer all handwritten notes and audio files to Evernote for future use. Smartpens address individual learning styles by offering options to set pen settings and preferences. The companion app Livescribe+ is available for Android, iOS, Amazon, Windows and Mac.

http://www.livescribe.com/en-ca/

Glean for Education is an audio note taking solution, which allows students to utilize their own recording device (laptop/tablet/iPad/cell phone/audio recorder) to create multimedia notes by combining audio recordings of the class, class handouts or PowerPoints, and web content such as pictures or videos. Glean for Education also allows students to receive transcripts of their class for easier note taking.

• Glean for Education allows students to extract their notes/slides and transcripts from Glean but cannot extract audio recordings.

Click Here for more information on Glean for Education.

Glean for Education and/or Audio Recording accommodations allow students to take responsibility for their access to lecture material accommodation by attending classes and developing note taking skills that are supported by the audio recording accommodation. 

https://glean.co/resources/glean-in-1-minute

Microsoft OneNote is a digital notebook, available through Microsoft 365, students at Lakehead can use their university credentials to download this product for free. You can organize in notebooks, divide into sections and pages. It's easy to navigate and search through your notes. Features include drawing, clip and save, mixed media, and much more.

Here is a video tutorial for using Microsoft OneNote

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/microsoft-365/onenote/digital-note-takin...

At its very basic Notability is a note taking and recording application, but that extends to many facets of the capture capacity. Creation and Annotate anything from study guides to storyboards. Record and replay, present and share your notes, upload pdfs right into the program and mark, sort, organize your thoughts. Available for Mac products only.

https://notability.com/

Mindomo is an all-in-one visual tool to help make mind mapping, concept mapping, and outlining accessible for students. Mindomo also has templates that make mind mapping accessible for beginners; and turn mind maps into real-time editable outlines.

Mindomo has both a free online solution and free mobile native apps for iPad and Android.

https://www.mindomo.com/

Are you looking for a more eco-friendly option for your note taking? Do you like to take handwritten notes but would rather carry them and organize them digitally? Then the RocketBook line of products are for you. RocketBook is the original digital notebook. Using their free app, you can scan in your content, wipe clean the products, and reuse it, but it's not just notebooks, RocketBook beacons turn any surface readable, cloud cards are a reusable cue card solution, scan them and create study decks.

https://getrocketbook.com/

There are many brands of handheld recording devices that can be used to record lectures in order to play them back. Most cellular phones contain recorders, but some people prefer to use a separate device.

An FM System consists of a radio transmitter and microphone (to be worn by an instructor) and a receiver and headphones (to be worn by the student). This allows the user to listen closely to the instructor and helps to filter out background noise.

Helperbird is the one extension for your browser that covers nearly all your digital accessibility needs. It helps with reading support, voice typing, text to speech, dyslexia support, adapting the web for different vision conditions with colour blindness setting, focus rulers and colour options. Helperbird can make web pages, PDFs, and documents more accessible and productive to meet the needs of any individual.

https://www.helperbird.com