Assistive Technology
What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive Technology (AT) refers to hardware, software, devices, tools, and strategies that support individuals in a variety of ways. Within the educational setting, AT supports learners by providing alternative ways of accessing or interacting with their course materials (example: text-to-speech, enlarged font, ergonomic devices).
Access to Assistive Technology
RRC Polytech is proud to have various Assistive Technologies available to all students. Students who require additional AT or specialized support are encouraged to book an appointment with an Accessibility Specialist when they apply to their program.
Note: Students are responsible for purchasing specialized AT, however Student Accessibility Services will support students to explore funding options or government grants/programs that may be able to cover all, or part of the cost.
Technology Available to All Students
Reading Supports
- Read&Write – An application with supports for reading, writing, and so much more!
- Enroll in the Read&Write LEARN Introduction Course to learn more about this application, including how to install and use it!
- Check out a recorded demonstration of Read&Write
- Immersive Reader – A free set of tools developed by Microsoft built into the latest versions of Word, OneNote, Outlook, Teams, and Edge (among other applications).
- PDF Files in Edge – How to use Edge to read and take notes on PDFs.
Writing Supports
- RefWorks – Simplifies the process of research, collaboration, data organization, and writing by providing an easy-to-use-tool for citation, bibliography, and reference management.
- Microsoft’s Editor – An artificial intelligence (AI) powered service that not only reviews your work for you to check for spelling and grammar, but also checks for refinements such as clarity, conciseness, formality, and vocabulary (among others).
- Collections in Edge – A more in-depth and organized way of saving webpages that you frequent often, or want to save to revisit at a later date.
- Voice Dictation – Did you know that the majority of people can speak up to three times faster than they can write? Try using voice dictation and see if it saves you time when completing written work!
- Graphic Organizers (in Kurzweil 3000) – Help you to organize your thoughts, group ideas together, develop a flow to your paper, or even be repurposed to help you develop a timeline or a plan to help keep you on track.
- Graphic Organizers + Voice Dictation – Combine Graphic Organizers in Kurzweil along with Voice Dictation in Word as a recipe for success to help you organize and write down your thoughts!
- Tech Tips Blog post: Changing the “Normal” Template in Word – this post goes over how you can change the normal template in Word, so that every new Word document you open has a specific style to it (font formatting, headers, etc…)
- Tech Tips Blog post: Voice Typing in Windows 11 – learn about voice typing (voice dictation) built into the Windows 11 operating system
- Tech Tips Blog post: Voice Dictation (Apple Products) – check out how to access voice dictation across apple products
Notetaking Supports
- OneNote – A digital three-ring binder allowing you to take notes, edit your notes, use Immersive Reader to listen to your notes, add in images and visual content, and more, across all of your courses, throughout your program.
- PDF Files in Edge – How to use Edge to read and take notes on PDFs.
- Voice Dictation – Did you know that the majority of people can speak up to three times faster than they can write? Try using voice dictation to dictate what you want written in your notes (outside of class that is). Not only should this help you get those notes written faster, but provide you with another means of interacting with that same information (and the more ways you interact with the same information, the stronger connections you’ll make in your mind to recall that information).
- Tech Tips Blog post: Changing the “Normal” Template in Word – this post goes over how you can change the normal template in Word, so that every new Word document you open has a specific style to it (font formatting, headers, etc…)
- Tech Tips Blog post: Voice Typing in Windows 11 – learn about voice typing (voice dictation) built into the Windows 11 operating system
- Tech Tips Blog post: Voice Dictation (Apple Products) – check out how to access voice dictation across apple products
Organization Supports
- Brightspace Pulse – With the Brightspace Pulse app is that you are able to visually see, across all of your courses, important dates for the week (month, etc…).
- Collections in Edge – A more in-depth and organized way of saving webpages that you frequent often, or want to save to revisit at a later date.
- Microsoft To Do – Helps you to conveniently organize your tasks in one place, and access that to-do list from multiple device.
- How to log into Brightspace Pulse
- Syncing your LEARN and Other Calendar
- Marking Emails as Read or Unread in Outlook – Learn how to change when emails are marked as read. This may help you remember to respond to emails you’ve already read.
- Digital Sticky Notes – a digital version of the classic sticky (or “post it” note)!
- Tab Groups (in Edge) – a fun (and colourful) way to organize your tabs in Edge!
Task and Time Management Supports
- Microsoft To Do – Helps you to conveniently organize your tasks in one place, and access that to-do list from multiple device.
- Brightspace Pulse – With the Brightspace Pulse app is that you are able to visually see, across all of your courses, important dates for the week (month, etc…).
- How to log into Brightspace Pulse
- Syncing your LEARN and Other Calendar
- Digital Sticky Notes – are an updated version of the trust office staple post it notes! Use digital sticky notes to remind of you tasks, assignments, your to do list, or even a positive affirmation or motivational quote.
- Time Management Skills (ASC) – the Academic Success Centre has a self-directed LEARN tutorial that is designed to help you manage your time, make healthy choices, and prioritize your tasks.
- Reducing Distractions in Windows 10 or 11 – explore the different features built into Windows 10 and 11 Operating Systems that may help reduce distractions on your computer.
YuJa Panorama
YuJa Panorama is available in all LEARN courses! Panorama may be used by students to make adjustments to how their course content is accessed. With Panorama, students may have content read aloud, adjust color contrast, font, use a reading light, and so much more! To learn more about YuJa Panorama check out this Getting Started with Panorama for Students article.
Device-Specific Supports
- Tech Tips Blog Post: Voice Typing (Windows 11) – type using your voice on Windows 11 products!
- Tech Tips Blog Post: Voice Access (Windows 11) – learn how to access and navigate your Windows 11 device with your voice!
- Tech Tips Blog Post: Voice Dictation (Apple Products) – type using your voice on Apple products!
- Tech Tips Blog Post: Voice Control (Apple Products) – learn how to access and navigate your Apple device with your voice!
- Tech Tips Blog Post: Android Accessibility Features – voice dictation, voice access, switch access, talkback and lookout
- Tech Tips Blog Post: More Android Accessibility Features – adjusting text/display settings, screen magnification, select to speak, and the magnifier app
- Tech Tips Blog Post: Even More Android Accessibility Features – captions, live transcribe, sound amplifier, and connecting hearing aids to your Android phone
- Tech Tips Blog Post: iPhone Accessibility Features – supports for vision, accessing and controlling your phone, live captions, sound recognition, live speech and more
- Tech Tips Blog Post: Google Pixel Accessibility Features – live captions for phone calls, magnification app, and quick phrases
Accessibility in Applications
- Tech Tips Blog Post on: Accessibility in Office Applications
- Tech Tips Blog Post on: Accessibility in Word
- Fun Features of Microsoft Word – explore how different features of Microsoft Word can help save you time and make Word easier to use!
- Part 1 – focus mode, search, keyboard shortcuts, and quick parts
- Part 2 – translate, (more) keyboard shortcuts, and Immersive Reader
- Part 3 – Quick Access Toolbar, Styles in Word, Navigation Pane, Emailing a Word
- Tech Tips Blog Post on: Accessibility in PowerPoint
- Captions and Subtitles in PowerPoint – Add real time captions in either the language you are presenting in, or translated into another language.
- Speaker Coach – Allows you to record yourself presenting, and provides feedback and suggestions on a variety of elements.
Other Tech Supports
- Technology Literacy (ASC) – Is a self-directed tutorial designed for students that provides basic skill development for using College-approved applications, including LEARN, HUB, Webex, MS Teams, and Office 365.
- Tech Peer Tutors (ASC) – Help you familiarize yourself with a specific College application and help you gain the basic-foundational tech literacy skills you need to be successful online.
- Accessibility Features in WebEx – Inclusion and accessibility features of WebEx that you can enable yourself.
- Captions and Subtitles in PowerPoint – Add real time captions in either the language you are presenting in, or translated into another language.
- Speaker Coach – Allows you to record yourself presenting, and provides feedback and suggestions on a variety of elements.
- Visual Ergonomics – Different setting, features, and suggestions to potentially reduce headaches and eyestrain from computer use.
- Fidget, to Boost Focus?! – learn about how “fidgets” and other sensory items can actually help you focus! Plus, information on renting fidgets from the library.
Tech Tips: Work Smarter, Not Harder
A blog that promotes and encourages the use of technology to make your academic life easier! Better yet, supports identified are available to all students, and (99.9% of the time) free! Posts are typically added twice a month so there are always new supports being listed!
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RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.
We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.