Assistive Technology

Textbook Resources

1. Bookshare  

• Bookshare is an online library of accessible e-books. Formats include: Word, EPUB (e-book), Bookshare Web Reader, Audio and Braille files. 
• Bookshare files (Word, EPUB) can be uploaded to Kurzweil 3000.
• Students approved for electronic textbooks can obtain a FREE membership to Bookshare by emailing the AT Lab Staff. 
• Search for a book (no account needed to search) by Title, Author, ISBN.
• Review this You Tube video for using the Bookshare Web Reader.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Learning Ally

• Learning Ally is an audio book resource that provides human-read audio books by volunteers (a visual, text version is not available, only audio). 
  • Students approved for electronic textbooks can obtain a FREE membership to Learning Ally by emailing the AT Lab Staff. 
  • Search for a book (no account needed to search) by Title, Author, ISBN.

   

3. VitalSource 

• VitalSource is an e-book library that includes an e-textbook reader (text to speech) built into the application.
  • Students must create their own account to use VitalSource.
  • Students can purchase/rent e-books through VitalSource on their own.

   

4. RedShelf

• RedShelf is an e-book library that includes an e-textbook reader (text to speech) built into the application.
  • Students must create their own account to use RedShelf.
  • Students can purchase/rent e-books through RedShelf on their own.

 

What if my books are not available through these resources, or I need another format? 

• To request your textbooks in electronic/alternate format, please Login to Accommodate and select the Alternative Format Request menu option from the Accommodation menu. For detailed instructions on how to submit your textbook requests, visit the Accommodate System page, navigate down to the Student Accommodate Instructions heading and select the Alternative Format Textbook Request link. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Text to Speech software (Kurzweil, Read & Write) is available for use with PDF, EPUB, Word and other document types. Visit the Text to Speech information below for more details.

Kurzweil 3000 is a multi-functional software that includes features to aid with reading, literacy, comprehension, writing and brainstorming

• Available on Windows, Mac and the Web
• Can be used with PDF, EPUB and Microsoft Word documents
• Contains an online Universal Library to organize e-books and documents – access from anywhere on the Web!

Read & Write by Texthelp

• Read & Write  is a toolbar that docks on your computer screen for easy    access to tools such as: text to speech, audio maker (creates MP3 audio files), digital highlighting and more.
• Available on Windows & Mac
• Can be used with PDF, EPUB and Microsoft Word documents
• Integrated PDF Reader to quickly access and have PDF’s read aloud

• Fusion by Freedom Scientific , combines both JAWS screen reading software and ZoomText magnification software into one accessibility tool. Fusion is available  on campus in the Assistive Technology Computer Lab, the Disability Resources & Services Testing Center and through access on a personal/home computer. Access to Fusion on a home computer is provided through the AT Coordinator with approved accommodations.
  
  
• Fusion is available on the Windows operating system.

 

 

Wolfram Alpha Pro is a study skill web software for math, science, technology, engineering, society & culture and everyday life. It contains quick facts that can be searched through a comprehensive search engine as well as the following:

• Step by step solution guides
• Printable worksheets
• Guided calculators for algebra and calculus
• Customized graphics
• Many more features!

The Pro version is available with a license provided by the AT Lab Staff on a semester basis, depending on availability. Contact the AT staff at: atlab@ucdenver.edu to obtain your license.

 

 

 

 

EquatIO by Texthelp is a web based app that allows you to create equations, formulas, graphs and more all digitally. You can speak, draw, or type problems directly onto your device.

You can also hear your math read aloud!

EquatIO is available with a license provided by the AT Lab Staff on a semester basis. Contact the AT staff at: atlab@ucdenver.edu to obtain your license.

• Glean (formerly known as Sonocent) is a web based app and mobile app that allows students to record lectures (both online & in person) while taking notes! The platform allows for organized and tagged notes with icons. You can also import PDF documents & slides into your project to follow along. 

• Getting Started with Glean is a great training resource for students!
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• Download Glean Notes for iOS

• Download Glean Notes for Google Play

• Otter.ai is a web based app and mobile app that records both online & in person audio and then transcribes the audio into text. It has many note-taking features as well where you can highlight information and add your own comments. 

• Otter Quick Start Guide is a great training resource for students!

• Download Otter on iOS,  Download Otter on Google Play

• Otter Demo Video - You Tube (Captioned)

 

Access to Glean and Otter is provided by the AT Lab Staff on a semester basis to students who are approved for recording/note-taking technology accommodations. Contact: atlab@ucdenver.edu for questions. 

 

• The Livescribe Echo Smartpen is a pen that allows for recording and digital storing of notes and any written material (pictures, diagrams, etc.) when used with a Livescribe notebook. 
• Visit: Echo Desktop Set-Up to get started and install the desktop program on Windows & Mac.
• Visit: You Tube - Livescribe Echo Demo (Captioned) for a tutorial video. 

 

• One Note  is a digital notebook app available for free through Office 365 for all CU Denver students. It combines notetaking, organizing and recording all in one digital notebook.
  
• Available on Windows, Mac and mobile devices for any user (no accommodation necessary).

Video Captioning for Pre-Recorded Content

• Video captioning/transcription for pre-recorded course content (lecture videos, online videos, etc.) is coordinated on an approved accommodation basis. 
• The AT Coordinator will work directly with faculty to obtain access to any pre-recorded video content that needs captions.
• We work with a third party vendor when necessary to process captioning/transcription.

Personal Listening Devices (FM Systems)

• A variety of personal listening devices are available for students with approved accommodations.
• If interested in a demo, or for more information about the devices available, contact the AT Coordinator.

If you are approved for assistive technology accommodations, such as text to speech software (Kurzweil/Read & Write) or Screen-Reading/Magnification (JAWS/ZoomText) and need access to these accommodations during test-taking, be sure to notate these accommodations during the test scheduling process.

The testing staff will then notify the AT Coordinator to coordinate these accommodations.

The Assistive Technology Computer Lab (AT Lab) is located in the Disability Resources & Services suite and is available to students registered with DRS. 

For more information about the AT Lab and the technology resources available, visit the Assistive Technology Lab page.