Page Comparison

These accessibility guides are designed to provide general assistance and practical tips for students with various accessibility needs. These guides offer an overview of tools, strategies, and resources that may help improve your learning experience, whether you require support for visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, or other accessibility considerations.

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• Quickly Enable Accessibility features on a Mac

• Windows Keyboard shortcuts for Accessibility on Windows

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Student Accessibility Guides for Technology Commonly used at NCSSM

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Canvas

Canvas

Canvas offers compatibility with screen readers, keyboard navigation, and alternative text for images. Canvas also provides customizable settings like font size and color contrast for users with visual impairments. Video captions are also available.

• Making files in Canvas more accessible with UDOIT

• General Canvas Accessibility Guides

• Microsoft Edge browser immersive reader

• Zoom

  • captions

  • AI assistant

• Panopto

  • captions

  • video search tool

• Google Workspace Accessibility

• Microsoft Office Accessibility

• Screen readers

• Speechify

• Otter.ai

Guides Organized by Associated Support Types

Visual Disabilities

• Examples: Blindness, low vision, color blindness.

• Support Strategies: Screen readers, braille displays, high-contrast visuals, large print materials.

• Tools:

• Screen reader software (e.g., JAWS, NVDA)

Magnification tools

Canvas Accessibility Standards

• Immersive Reader for Canvas

Microsoft Immersive Reader

Microsoft Immersive Reader enhances accessibility by offering tools like text-to-speech, adjustable text size, font, and spacing, line focus, translation, and picture dictionaries. It supports diverse learning needs by improving reading comprehension and focus for users of all abilities.

• Immersive Reader for Canvas

• Immersive Reader in Microsoft Edge browser - for reading documents

Zoom

Zoom offers live transcriptions and automated captions for real-time text display of spoken words, compatibility with screen readers like JAWS and VoiceOver, and keyboard shortcuts for efficient navigation. Users can customize font sizes for chat and captions, adjust video layouts by rearranging participant windows, and utilize multi-pinning and multi-spotlighting to keep key speakers or interpreters in view. AI-generated summaries are also available, as well as language translations.

• Zoom Keyboard shortcuts

• Zoom accessibility guides

• Zoom Auto Captions

• Zoom AI Assistant

• Zoom translations

Panopto

Panopto provides automatic captioning, screen reader compatibility, and keyboard navigation. Users can adjust playback speeds for personalized learning. Users can also search for keywords within videos.

• Panopto accessibility guides

• Panopto keyboard shortcuts

• Panopto captions

• Panopto video search tool

Magnification tools

Magnification tools enhance accessibility by allowing users to zoom in on text, images, and interface elements for better visibility. These tools help individuals with visual impairments access content more easily, offering customizable zoom levels and focus areas to suit individual needs.

• Zoom in on what is on screen on Mac computers

• Use magnifier to make things easier to read on Windows

• Microsoft Immersive reader

Hearing Disabilities

• Examples: Deafness, hard of hearing.

• Support Strategies: Captions, transcripts, sign language interpreters.

• Tools:

  • Zoom captioning

  • Panopto captioning

  • Other captioning software

Mobility and Physical Disabilities

• Examples: Limited motor skills, paralysis, chronic pain.

• Support Strategies: Keyboard navigation, speech-to-text tools, modified desks or seating arrangements.

• Tools:

  • Adaptive devices

  • voice recognition software

  • accessible classroom layouts

Cognitive and Learning Disabilities

• Examples: Dyslexia, ADHD, processing disorders.

• Support Strategies: Structured and simplified content, additional time for tests, mnemonic aids.

• Tools:

  • Text-to-speech software

    • Microsoft Immersive reader

  • note-taking aids

    • Zoom AI Assistant

    • Otter AI

  • apps for organization

Psychological Disabilities

• Examples: Anxiety, depression, PTSD.

• Support Strategies: Stress management tools, flexible deadlines, access to a quiet space.

• Tools:

  • Mindfulness and relaxation apps

    • Headspace

  • customizable schedules

  • wellness programs

Speech and Communication Disabilities

• Examples: Stuttering, speech impairments.

• Support Strategies: Alternative communication methods, non-verbal participation options.

• Tools:

  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices

  • Text-based communication tools

    • Zoom chat

    • Canvas Chat tool

Sensory Processing and Sensitivity Disabilities

• Examples: Sensory processing disorder, sensory sensitivities.

• Support Strategies: Noise-canceling headphones, controlled lighting, sensory breaks.

• Tools:

  • Headphones

  • fidget tools

  • sensory-friendly spaces

Chronic Health Conditions

• Examples: Chronic fatigue syndrome, epilepsy.

• Support Strategies: Flexible attendance policies, ergonomic supports, emergency response plans.

• Tools:

  • Timed breaks

  • seizure alert devices

  • medical alert systems

English Support for non-native speakers

Tools:

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Microsoft immersive reader translations

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Mindfulness

Mindfulness apps can enhance accessibility in schools by providing tools like guided audio, customizable visuals, and adaptive features to support students with diverse needs. Incorporating mindfulness promotes mental well-being, helping students manage stress, improve focus, and foster emotional resilience, creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.

• Headspace for K-12 Students (Free accounts)

Artificial Intelligence Note-taking and Summary Tools

AI tools can provide real-time transcription and note-taking services. These tools help students with hearing impairments, learning disabilities, or language barriers by converting spoken content into text, ensuring they can engage fully with lectures and discussions. By offering features like searchable transcripts and automated summaries, AI tools empower students to access and review material at their own pace, fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment.

• Zoom AI Assistant

• Otter.ai

Text-to-Speech Services

Speech-to-text services help students with accessibility needs by converting spoken words into written text in real-time. These tools support students with hearing impairments, learning disabilities, or physical challenges that make writing difficult, enabling them to participate fully in class discussions, take notes, and complete assignments more effectively.

• Microsoft Immersive reader

  • Immersive reader in Canvas

  • Immersive reader in Edge browser

• Speechify

Screen Readers

True screen readers like Narrator and VoiceOver are more effective for blind students than tools like Speechify because they provide full system integration, allowing navigation and interaction with all aspects of a device. They offer real-time feedback, describe content layout, support keyboard commands, and work with braille displays, making them essential for comprehensive accessibility needs, whereas Speechify focuses primarily on text-to-speech.

• VoiceOver (Mac)

• Narrator (Windows)

• JAWS

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge supports screen readers like Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA, ensuring web content is accessible to users with visual impairments. Edge also offers immersive reader mode, which simplifies web pages by removing distractions and providing text-to-speech functionality. For users with cognitive challenges, tools like line focus and adjustable font settings enhance readability. Additionally, Edge includes compatibility with accessibility-focused extensions and integrates seamlessly with Microsoft's ecosystem, making it a powerful and inclusive tool for all users.

• Accessibility features in Microsoft Edge

• Keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office offers robust accessibility features to support students with diverse needs. Tools like Immersive Reader enhance reading comprehension with text-to-speech, line focus, and customizable formatting. Dictation and voice commands assist students with writing or motor challenges, while built-in accessibility checkers help ensure content is inclusive. Additionally, features like real-time captions in PowerPoint and high-contrast modes improve usability for students with hearing or visual impairments.

• Accessibility tools for Office

• Keyboard shortcuts in Office

• Use a screen reader with Office apps

• Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

• Use color and contrast for accessibility in Microsoft 365

Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote offers accessibility features like immersive reader for text-to-speech, adjustable fonts, and line focus to support users with visual or cognitive challenges. It also integrates seamlessly with screen readers and provides keyboard shortcuts for efficient navigation, making it a powerful, inclusive tool for organizing and sharing notes.

• Accessibility tools for OneNote

• Accessibility tools for OneDrive

Microsoft Windows

Tools like Narrator, Magnifier, and high-contrast modes assist users with visual impairments, while speech recognition and dictation support those with mobility challenges. Windows also includes customizable keyboard shortcuts, closed captioning, and Focus Assist to reduce distractions, ensuring an inclusive and user-friendly experience for everyone.

• Accessibility support for Windows

• Windows keyboard shortcuts for accessibility

• Keyboard shortcuts in Windows

• Keyboard shortcuts in apps

• Change color contrast in Windows

• Accessibility information for IT Professionals

Google Workspace

Google Workspace provides a variety of accessibility features to support students with diverse needs. Tools like voice typing in Google Docs assist with writing, while screen reader and braille display compatibility ensure access for visually impaired students. Live captions in Google Meet enhance communication for students with hearing impairments, and customizable display settings improve usability for those with visual or cognitive challenges.

• Google Workspace User Guide to Accessibility