Assistive Technology on Highline Campus
A variety of resources are available on campus. These technologies are available to all students and employees.
Assistive technology covers a wide range of tools and services, and many tools may be helpful for various disabilities, as well as for people without disabilities. The “Who is it for?” categories are general guidelines; if something looks interesting to you, don’t feel like you can’t ask about it just because you don’t have one of the listed disabilities.
Text-to-speech software
What is it? Text-to-speech software allows your device to read on-screen text to you.
Who is it for? Most helpful for people with visual, cognitive, and learning disabilities.
- Modern desktop (Windows, macOS, ChromeOS) and mobile (iOS, Android) operating systems have text-to-speech capabilities built in. Check your device’s accessibility settings or request an appointment with Accessible Technology for assistance.
- Read&Write is installed on all Highline computers and may be installed on personal computers. This application includes a number of other accessibility and study tools as well.
- Screen readers are specialized applications that allow more severely visually disabled users to work with their device. They offer text-to-speech with advanced features, but also announce everything that a user is doing.
Speech-to-text software
What is it? Speech-to-text software allows your device to type as you speak out loud (dictate).
Who is it for? Most helpful for people with visual, cognitive, and motor disabilities.
- Modern desktop (Windows, macOS, ChromeOS) and mobile (iOS, Android) operating systems have speech-to-text capabilities built in. Check your device’s accessibility settings or request an appointment with Accessible Technology for assistance.
- Read&Write is installed on all Highline computers and may be installed on personal computers. This application includes a number of other accessibility and study tools as well.
- Genio is note-taking software that captures audio and allows the user to add bookmarks and text notes during the recording. It can also provide a transcription after the recording is complete, but does not offer live speech-to-text transcription.
Screen reader software
What is it? Screen readers are specialized applications that allow more severely visually disabled users to work with their device. Screen readers speak the contents of a screen, including windows, navigation elements, dialog boxes, and the contents of documents. By describing what is on screen and is being interacted with, blind and low-vision users are able to effectively use their devices. Screen readers are designed for specific operating systems and generally work with most applications. With practice, screen readers are very powerful tools for users with visual disabilities.
Who is it for? Most helpful for people with moderate to severe visual disabilities.
- Modern desktop (Windows, macOS, ChromeOS) and mobile (iOS, Android) operating systems have screen readers built in.
- JAWS is a commercial screen reader application for Windows. JAWS is installed on certain workstations marked as “accessible” in the library and in the computer labs across the Highline campus.
- NVDA is a free screen reader application for Windows. Highline does not provide or support NVDA, but it can be installed on personal computers.
Screen magnification software
What is it? Screen magnifiers are tools that enlarge sections of the computer screen to make them easier to see.
Who is it for? Most helpful for people with moderate visual disabilities.
- Modern desktop (Windows, macOS, ChromeOS) have magnification capabilities built in. Mobile (iOS, Android) operating systems have similar zoom features that enlarge parts of the interface. Check your device’s accessibility settings or request an appointment with Accessible Technology for assistance.
- ZoomText Magnifier/Reader is a fully integrated magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users. Magnifier/Reader enlarges and enhances everything on your computer screen, echoes your typing and essential program activity, and automatically reads documents, web pages, email. ZoomText is installed on selected workstations across campus marked as “accessible”.
Magnification hardware
What is it? Magnifiers are physical devices with a camera and screen that can be used to enlarge documents, whiteboards, or around the room.
Who is it for? Most helpful for people with low to moderate visual disabilities.
- The Acrobat Video Magnifier is a camera-equipped display that magnifies any text or item placed under the camera. Multiple viewing modes are available to adjust the displayed colors and contrast to improve legibility for low-vision users. The Acrobat Video Magnifier is available on the second (entry-level) floor of the Highline library (building 25).
- The Acrobat HD Mini is a portable camera-equipped display that magnifies any text or item placed under the camera, or can be used to view whiteboards or around the classroom. The Acrobat Mini may be checked out to students for on-campus classroom use. Please contact Access Services for more information.
Alternate input hardware
What is it? Accessible Technology has a selection of specialized mice, trackballs, trackpads, and keyboards that may be checked out for temporary use.
Who is it for? These devices are most helpful for people with physical and motor disabilities that make using a standard mouse or keyboard difficult.
- Alternative mice: We have two types of trackball, two styles of vertical mouse suitable for left- or right-handed use, and trackpads similar to those on laptops that can be used with desktop computers.
- Alternative keyboards: We have both ergonomic and large-print keyboards.
More software information
Read&Write
Read&Write is software available for both Windows and macOS systems either as a standalone application or as a Chrome browser extension. This software provides several accessibility and study tools, including:
- Text to speech: Reads the content of webpages or documents out loud.
- Speech to text: Dictate to your computer and let it type for you (Windows only).
- Text and picture dictionaries: Look up definitions of unfamiliar words with just a quick click.
- Note taking: Highlight text in webpages and automatically build a note document with the highlighted text for studying.
- Vocabulary lists: Highlight words you looked up and automatically build a vocabulary list with definitions.
- Audio maker: Convert web pages and documents into MP3 audio files you can listen to on your phone.
Highline provides Read&Write for all students and employees. To learn how to use Read&Write or to get assistance installing it on your personal computer, please make an appointment with Michael Hanscom (mhanscom@highline.edu).
Genio
Genio (formerly Glean) is software designed to assist with note taking during classes and lectures. Genio records audio and allows the user to mark and optionally add notes to important points in the lecture that they would like to review later. When the lecture is over, the user can go back and listen to the audio again, jumping to the marked key points, and add further notes. Transcriptions and outlines may be generated after the recording is finished.
Genio is available to students registered with Access Services. For more information, please contact Access Services (access@highline.edu).