Accessibility Guides for Students

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.

Please note that these guides are not comprehensive or definitive. Each student’s needs are unique, and while these resources are a helpful starting point, we encourage students to consult with accessibility services for personalized support and accommodations.

Enabling Computer Accessibility Features

• Quickly Enable Accessibility features on a Mac

• Windows Keyboard shortcuts for Accessibility on Windows

General Accessibility Guides

• Canvas

  • Immersive Reader

  • 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

    • 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

    • Calm

  • 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:

  • Microsoft immersive reader translations

  • Zoom caption translation