Accessibility Resources

Accessible Technology

Accessibility Resources offers support with:

  • Textbooks and course materials in accessible alternative formats
  • Guidance on software, hardware, apps, learning aides, and other technologies and devices that facilitate accessibility

This page contains the following topics:

Alternative Formats in Canvas

Students can download alternative formats of documents and content in their Canvas courses on demand using the Alternative Formats generator. Expand the How to Get Alternative Formats in Canvas section below for step-by-step instructions to use this feature in Canvas and resources to help you get started.

Please note: The alternative formats provided in Canvas are not intended to replace the accommodation process, but are offered as one of many options for students to access content independently.

For more details about the alternative format options available via Ally and guidance on selecting the format that works for you, see the resources linked below.

Software and Technologies

Accessibility Resources can provide access to and guidance on various technologies for student accommodations, as well as resources and recommendations for getting the most out of the software and devices available to students.

Free Software Available to UC community

The following software is available through Digital Technology Solutions (DTS).

Microsoft Office

  • UC students can use Office 365 or download the Office apps (desktop versions) to their own devices (on up to 5 PCs or Macs, 5 tablets, and 5 smartphones). 
  • See the Email & Collaboration page on the Digital Technology Solutions (DTS) site for instructions to access Office 365 online and desktop apps.

Learn more about accessibility in Microsoft Office 365 products:

If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language.

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Acrobat Pro is available to students in two ways:

To access Acrobat Pro on the computers on the 4th floor of Langsam:

  1. Open the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app
  2. Log in with your UC credentials
  3. Select “company or school” account 
  4. Complete DUO authentication
  5. Next, you will see a list of all the available Adobe apps, including Acrobat Pro. 
  6. Open Acrobat Pro.
  7. Log in with your student credentials. This should authenticate access under UC’s enterprise license as long as you are currently a full-time student.

 To access Acrobat Pro via MyDesk virtual desktop:

  1. Launch MyDesk Virtual Desktop (there is a download or web option)
  2. Log in using your UC username and password
  3. Open the "Student Desktop"
  4. Once the virtual desktop loads, there should be a shortcut on the desktop for Adobe Creative Cloud
  5. Open Acrobat Pro
  6. Log in with your student credentials. This should authenticate access under UC’s enterprise license as long as you are currently a full-time student.

Assistive Technology Available at UC

The tools listed in this section are licensed by UC Accessibility Resources. The features they provide can help provide more accessible experiences for students and employees in their learning, teaching, and work. See the Free Accessibility Technology for UC Students and Employees article in the UC Knowledge Base for access instructions and resources for each tool.

Read&Write

Read&Write is a collection of literacy support tools that assists with everyday tasks like listening to text, creating study notes, proofing written work, and more.

Access to Read&Write Premium is available to all current UC students and employees. Expand the Read&Write Access & Resources section below for access instructions and resources.

For step-by-step instructions to access Read&Write Premium and resources to help you get started using it, see the following:

OrbitNote

OrbitNote is a collection of tools that make PDFs more accessible and interactive. OrbitNote can scan an image or PDF and generate searchable text, which you can listen to within the app or export to read aloud with your preferred tool. It also offers reading and study support tools such as highlighting, drawing and annotation, and vocabulary support.

Access to OrbitNote Premium is available to all current UC students and employees. Expand the OrbitNote Access & Resources section below for access instructions and resources.

To access OrbitNote Premium: go to the OrbitNote login page and sign in with your UC credentials.

For step-by-step instructions to access OrbitNote Premium and resources to help you get started using it, see the following:

Equatio is an equation editor that can generate editable digital math and offers ways to make math more accessible: type, write/draw, dictate, and listen to mathematical expressions, convert images of math to editable math, and more.

Access to Equatio Premium is available to all current UC students and employees. Expand the Equatio Access & Resources section below for access instructions and resources.

Equatio

For step-by-step instructions to access Equatio Premium and resources to help you get started using it, see:

Freedom Scientific Products

Access to the products listed below is available to all current UC students and employees. Expand the Freedom Scientific License Access & Resources section below for access instructions and resources.

JAWS Screen Reader

JAWS (Job Access With Speech) converts text and other information from your computer applications into speech or braille. See the JAWS product page on the Freedom Scientific website for details.

ZoomText Magnifier/Reader

ZoomText is a fully integrated magnification and reading program that can enlarge and enhance everything on your computer screen, echo your typing and essential program activity, and read documents, web pages, and email aloud. See the ZoomText product page on the Freedom Scientific website for details.

Fusion (JAWS & ZoomText)

A single Fusion license & installation gives you access to both JAWS and ZoomText. See the Fusion product page on the Freedom Scientific website for details.

For step-by-step instructions to access a sponsored license for JAWS, ZoomText, or Fusion and resources to help you get started using it, see the following:

Notetaking Support

Messenger Pigeon

Accessibility Resources provides access to Messenger Pigeon (formerly Notetaking Express) for students who have a Notetaker accommodation, either in place of or as a supplement to a volunteer peer notetaker.

Messenger Pigeon is a study app designed to enhance your learning experience through audio recordings, transcripts and summary notes.

Microsoft OneNote

OneNote available to UC students and employees as part of UC's enterprise license to Microsoft 365

Glean

As of Spring 2024, Accessibility Resources is transitioning from Glean to Messenger Pigeon.

Other Assistive Technology

The technologies listed below are not provided directly by UC, but they are available for users to download or purchase, or are built into the operating systems of common devices.

EPUB Readers

EPUB (Electronic Publication) is a file format that is often used for eBooks and other digital publications. The format is reflowable, which means that the content can adapt to different screen sizes, orientations, and resolutions automatically, so it can be read on a wide range of desktop and mobile devices.

To open an EPUB file, you need an EPUB reader program on your device. Expand the "Free EPUB Readers" section below for links to free EPUB readers.

Useful functions offered by EPUB files and readers include:

  • compatibility with text-to-speech tools
  • the ability to search the entire publication
  • resizable text
  • bookmarking & annotation tools
  • convenience of use on a mobile device

For more information about EPUBs, please see Publuu's What Is Epub? The Complete Guide and LifeWire's What is an EPUB and How Do I Open It?.

EPUB vs. PDF Comparison
Feature EPUB PDF
Layout  Text adjusts to different screen sizes Layout stays the same on all devices
Reflowable Content Can adjust text size & spacing Cannot adjust text size or spacing
Compatibility Requires EPUB readers or app Can be opened on most devices
Interactivity Can include audio, video, hyperlinks, chapter & section bookmarks;  Can include audio, video, hyperlinks, chapter & section bookmarks
Printing Not ideal for printing Prints as it appears on screen
Text to Speech Compatible with text to speech Not always compatible with text to speech
Searchable Text Can search text Can search text if OCR'd

Desktop and Mobile options:

Desktop only:

Mobile only:

Browser only:

Screen Readers

Windows
  • Narrator: a screen-reading application that is built into Windows.
  • NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access): a screen-reading application that can be downloaded free of charge by anyone
    • NVDA download page
    • NVDA is open source software, which means the code is accessible to anyone. This enables translators and developers around the world to continually contribute to its expansion and improvement.
Mac and iOS
Android

Speech-to-Text

  • Dictation features built into 
    • Windows - Voice Typing
    • Android OS - usually included in the Messages app or keyboard
    • Mac OS and iOS
    • Office 365 - Dictate in Word, Outlook, OneNote, and PowerPoint
    • Google Workspace
  • Dragon Speech Recognition Software 
    • Offers powerful speech recognition technology that includes dictation and transcription capabilities, speech commands, and other features that can improve document creation productivity.
    • See the Nuance online store for product options.
    • UC students and employees may be eligible for academic pricing. 

Text-to-Speech