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• Peripherals
• Software
• Teaching and Learning
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Services

We have many types of magnifiers on offer to help enlarge text or pictures. Students can have small and medium sized printed material changed into Braille very quickly using our Braille Embosser. If you need printed material in other forms it is also possible to produce tape cassette versions, enlarged print versions or by putting the material onto a CD-ROM so that the student can use software for the computer to read the text to them.

Students can have text read out through speakers or headphones when they use scanners linked in with software.

We have equipment to raise basic diagrams to give a tactile representation of a visual image.

Wheelchair users may have adjustable desks in some parts of the college.

Radio aids and loop systems are available to allow hearing impaired students to participate in and out of the classroom.

Peripherals

The College can provide different types of equipment for those who find using a standard keyboard or mouse difficult. e.g. Large key keyboard, large print keyboard, a graphics tablet, roller ball, touch pads and quill mouse.

Students can use large monitors and scanners to read back scanned text at the college.

Software

We have a wide range of specialist software available to help anyone who uses a computer for course work. The software can help simplify work and access course materials.

The software can, for example, read the computer text aloud and offer predictive text.

Students with visual problems can use magnifying and screen reading software.

Students can also choose software to change the colour of the screen or ‘mind mapping’ software.

One to one training and advice on what software you can use, and where to find it is available throughout your college life.

Teaching and Learning

At the college, there are many types of technology and non-technical strategies, which can help students to study, learn, remember, organise and research. Some of the solutions are high tech but some can be low-tech solutions such as a wrist rest or coloured overlay.

When you start using software or equipment to help you with your studies, you will have a one to one training session with a member of our staff. The training will usually be in the Study Advice Centre.

We will adjust the number of training sessions to suit the student’s needs.

We have specialist software and equipment that help students to access learning materials or their college courses. Students will be able to adjust learning materials to suit their learning needs, e.g. large print or Braille.

Examples

Some examples of Assistive Technology are:

• Screen Reading Software (JAWS)
• Magnifying software (Magic and Zoomtext)
• Voice activated software (Dragon Naturally Speaking)
• Mind mapping software (Inspirations)
• Various styles of input devices
• Adjustable desks for wheelchair users
• Digital Dictaphones
• Braille Printer
• Talking Dictionaries and Thesaurus

Contact

If you think that assistive technology can help you then please contact Gary Wilson at the Study Advice Centre, Lansdowne on 205359 or North Road, Poole on 205956.