Assistive technology (AT) is any software, hardware, or piece of equipment that helps provide equal access to resources and alternative methods of how an individual interacts with the computer and written material.
Assistive technology (AT) helps people who have difficulty speaking, walking, talking, remembering, seeing, hearing, learning, and many other things. Each person is unique, and different challenges require different AT.
The Assistive Technology (AT) Lab at Cosumnes River College provides the following services for students with disabilities who are eligible for the service:
- Training on adaptive hardware and software
- Access to computers for test accommodations
- Access to adaptive computers for homework assignments when adaptive computers are not available in other labs
Document Reader or Text-to-Speech Software
Document reader software reads aloud sections of documents and highlights the words as it reads.
Screen Reader Software
Screen reader software reads aloud everything on the computer screen to the user, making the computer fully functional without the monitor and mouse.
Screen Magnification Software
Screen magnification software that enlarges the computer screen information similar to using a magnifying glass.
Speech Recognition and Dictation Software
Speech recognition and dictation software are designed to fully utilize the computer through speech.
Hardware Available Inside AT Lab
The Assistive Technology Lab offers a variety of hardware and devices available for students to use inside the lab.
- Specialized mice and keyboards
- CCTV document magnifier with Speech
- Large monitors
- Scanners
- Closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) - Devices that enlarge printed materials through the use of a TV camera and monitor.
- Digital voice recorders
- Livescribe Smartpens (Echo)
- Magnifiers
Training Sessions
- First step for students to receive additional training
- Assess technology ability and provide resources
- Assistive Technology Lab resources and rules overview
- For students with low vision
- Enlarges documents
- Changes text and background colors
- ZoomText (screen enlargement/magnification)
- Document reader software
- For students with learning disabilities
- Reads aloud various document formats: Word, PDF, etc.
- Voice recognition and speech dictation
- For students with limited use of keyboard and mouse
- Records lectures as you take notes
- Notetaking skills
Contact
Hours
CRC Main Campus
Monday to Friday
8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Location
Business and Social Science, BS 104