Assistive Technology

• Dragon Naturally Speaking
• JAWS
• OpenBook
• CCTV
• Zoom Text
• Kurzweil 3000

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Dragon Naturally Speaking

Dragon Naturally Speaking is designed to assist those with physical disabilities which may affect writing; and cognitive disabilities, such as Learning Disability, Attention Deficit Disorder or an Acquired Brain Injury, which may affect processing, speed, or concentration. It may also be appropriate for some Visual Impairments and Psychiatric/Psychological/Emotional Disorders.

• Location: Emerson Library and the ARC
• Features: This PC software allows a patron to operate windows with a set of vocal commands. The advantage of this software is that it "learns" to understand an individual’s voice as he/she speaks naturally. The software can be used to run applications and other software, or to type documents without drastically deviating from standard computer commands.
• Training**: Patrons familiar with Windows operations should be able to learn the verbal commands easily. Mouse and keyboard commands can be issued with Dragon’s verbal equivalents. Orientation to Dragon software will take about one hour. Ten to twelve hours of practice and program "training" is needed before being able to use Dragon proficiently.

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JAWS

JAWS (Job Access With Success) is designed to assist those with visual impairments, and some cases of attention deficit disorder or learning disabilities.

• Location: Academic Resource Center & Emerson Library
• Features: This software uses a speech synthesizer or sound card to read the computer screen to patrons. It also may be used to read web pages through Microsoft Internet Explorer.
• Training**: Very little training is needed to use this technology. It should take between 15-30 minutes to become familiar with how JAWS operates.

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OpenBook

OpenBook is designed to assist those with physical disabilities, which may affect turning pages; and cognitive disabilities, such as Learning Disability, Attention Deficit Disorder or an Acquired Brain Injury, which may affect processing, speed, or concentration. It may also be appropriate for some Visual Impairments and Psychiatric/Psychological/Emotional Disorders.

• Location: You will find OpenBook at Emerson Library.
• Features: OpenBook consists of a scanner, monitor, and speech synthesis software. Books or papers are placed on the scanner, scanned, and translated into speech. Patrons listen to the book or article with headphones as the text is displayed on the monitor. The software can also be adapted to translate the text into Braille, as well as record the text onto a floppy disk or cassette tape.
• Training**: Training time for OpenBook usually takes around 30 minutes. This training consists of learning how the machine operates, and inputting simple commands displayed on a chart for ease of use.

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CCTV

CCTV (Closed Captioned Television) is designed to assist those with certain visual impairments. This technology may not be suitable for all visual impairments, as it depends upon magnification needs.

• Location: Emerson Library
• Features: The CCTV has a zoom lens similar to that of a 35 mm camera. This lens allows for printed materials to become enlarged and then projected on a television screen.
• Training**: Training for the CCTV is less than 30 minutes. Once the patron learns how the lenses focus, this technology is quite simple to use.

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Zoom Text

Zoom Text is designed to assist those with certain visual impairments. This technology may not be suitable for all visual impairments, as it depends upon magnification needs.

• Location: Emerson Library & the Academic Resource Center
• Features: Zoom Text enlarges text by 16 times. It also has limited text-to-speech capabilities. At the ARC, Zoom Text is available on a computer in the Writing Center to assist those utilizing printed materials on the computer, such as composing papers or reading online articles.
• Training**: Training time for Zoom Text should take around 30 minutes. Patrons basically learn how to change the font to the size they need and how to adjust Zoom Text's windows to their preferred configuration.

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Kurzweil 3000

Kurzweil 3000 presents material in either visual or auditory formats. It may be able to help students with visual impairments, learning differences or disabilities, ESL concerns, difficulty reading, or test anxiety.

• Location: Emerson Library, Academic Resource Center, & Sverdrup Computer Lab 206
• Features: Kurzweil is a comprehensive software package including synthesized reading, OCR, digital annotation, test-taking, and word-processing capabilities. At the ARC, Kurzweil is available at one of the Testing Center computers and at a machine in the Peer Tutoring area.
• Training**: Training for Kurzweil will take about 30-45 minutes. Patrons familiar with other scanning or word-processing software will find much of Kurzweil's interface intuitive.

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** Please note: All training is performed by appointment. Please contact the staff at the location where you wish to train in order to set a time. If the equipment is located in the library, contact 314-968-6950. If it is located in the ARC, call Cindy Yamnitz at 314-246-4245.