Accessibility Resources

Accessible Technology

Accessibility Resources offers support with:

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

Course Materials in Alternative Format

Although the University of Cincinnati strives to create an accessible learning experience, there may be times when it is not possible for course materials (textbooks, journal articles, other academic documents) to be readily available in an accessible format that is compatible with assistive or adaptive technologies.

Once approved for the accommodation, students may request course materials in alternative formats.

Use Ally in Canvas for Alternative Formats

Students can download alternative formats of documents and content in their Canvas courses on demand using the Alternative Formats option.

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.

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

Software and Technologies

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

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). 
  • You can find instructions to access both versions on the Email & Collaboration page on the Digital Technology Solutions (DTS) site.
  • Learn more about accessibility in Microsoft Office 365 products

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:

  1. Launch MyDesk (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 following tools are licensed by UC Accessibility Resources. The features they provide can help provide more accessible experiences for students, faculty and staff in their learning, teaching, and work.

Equatio

Equatio is a math writing tool that makes math both digital and accessible. Type, handwrite, or dictate mathematical expressions, and use the screenshot tool to have math read aloud, generate editable math, and more. 

Fusion (JAWS & ZoomText)

A single Fusion license & installation gives you access to both ZoomText and JAWS individually, or together.

JAWS

JAWS (Job Access With Speech) was developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse. JAWS provides speech and Braille output for the most popular computer applications on your PC.

To download JAWS:

  1. Go to Freedom Scientific's sponsored license page.
  2. Enter your UC email address in the Email Address field.
  3. Click "Search". The page should display a message that you are qualified to one Home Annual License on up to three devices.
  4. Click "Continue to Registration".
  5. Complete the registration form to activate a license.
  6. Select the program you wish to download.
    1. Note: you can only download one Freedom Scientific program (JAWS, ZoomText, or Fusion) via the sponsored license program.
  7. Open the program installation file and follow the installation prompts.
Read&Write

Read&Write is a literacy support tool that offers help with everyday tasks like reading text out loud, creating study notes, understanding unfamiliar words, proofing written work, and more.

ZoomText

ZoomText Magnifier/Reader is a fully integrated magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users. ZoomText enlarges and enhances everything on your computer screen, echoes your typing and essential program activity, and automatically reads documents, web pages, email.

To download ZoomText:

  1. Go to Freedom Scientific's sponsored license page.
  2. Enter your UC email address in the Email Address field.
  3. Click "Search". The page should display a message that you are qualified to one Home Annual License on up to three devices.
  4. Click "Continue to Registration".
  5. Complete the registration form to activate a license.
  6. Select the program you wish to download.
    1. Note: you can only download one Freedom Scientific program (JAWS, ZoomText, or Fusion) via the sponsored license program.
  7. Open the program installation file and follow the installation prompts.

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.
    • For guidance on using Messenger Pigeon, please refer to the How To Guides playlist on the Habitat Learn YouTube channel.
  • Glean
    • As of Spring 2024, Accessibility Resources is transitioning from Glean to Messenger Pigeon.

Other Assistive Technology

Screen Readers

Windows
  • NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access)
    • NVDA allows blind and vision impaired people to access and interact with the Windows operating system and many third party applications.
    • The NVDA screen reader can be downloaded free of charge by anyone. 
    • 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.
  • Windows Narrator
  • Android TalkBack
Mac and iOS

Speech-to-Text

  • Dictation features built into 
    • Windows and Android OS 
    • Mac OS and iOS
    • Office 365 (Dictate in Word, Outlook, OneNote, PowerPoint)
    • Google Workspace, etc.
  • 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

  • Features built into 
    • Windows (Narrator, with settings adjusted)
    • Android OS (Text-to-Speech)
    • Mac OS & iOS (Spoken Content)
    • Office 365 (Speak in Word, Outlook, OneNote, PowerPoint)
    • Google Workspace
    • Digital Textbooks (e.g., RedShelf)

TextHelp Tools Installation & Authentication

Licenses for Read&Write Premium and Equatio Premium are available to all current UC students and employees. 

How to get Read&Write on your device:

  1. Go to the Read&Write page for the platform you want to use:
  2. Click the "Try Read&Write" button. Follow the steps below for your selected platform.
    • Google Chrome: redirects to the Chrome web store. Click the "Add to Chrome" button and verify the installation.
    • Windows: opens a list of options, including:
      • Windows: downloads a .exe to your device. Open the file to install and follow installation prompts.
      • Microsoft Edge: redirects to the Edge web store. Click the "Get" button and verify the installation.
    • Apple Products: downloads a .dmg file to your device. Open the file to install and follow installation prompts.
  3. Follow the instructions below to authenticate the Premium license.

How to get Equatio on your device:

  1. Go to the Equatio product page for the platform you want to use:
  2. Click the "Explore Equatio" button. Follow the steps below for your selected platform.
    • Google Chrome: redirects to the Chrome web store. Click the "Add to Chrome" button and verify the installation.
    • mathspace web app:  you will be taken directly to the Equatio mathspace login page
    • Windows: downloads a .exe to your device. Open the file to install and follow installation prompts.
    • Mac: downloads a .dmg file to your device. Open the file to install and follow installation prompts.
  3. Follow instructions below to authenticate the Premium license.

How to Authenticate a Premium license for Read&Write or Equatio:

  1. Open Read&Write or Equatio on your device.
  2. Select "Sign in with Microsoft".
  3. Sign in when prompted using your UC email address and password.

TextHelp Tools Learning Resources

TextHelp provides instructional videos and online reference guides to assist you: