Assistive Technology

The DRC has a small inventory of AT devices that eligible students are able to borrow for a semester. The technology is made available to students at the beginning of each semester on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students are required to complete and sign an AT Check-Out Form and agree to return the device to the DRC at the end of the semester.

Eligibility

Students must meet the following criteria to borrow a device from the DRC:

1. The student must be eligible for an accommodation that is consistent with the type of device borrowed. For example, a student requesting a loan of an FM System would need to be eligible for the accommodation of an FM System.
2. The student must be registered with the DRC for the semester in which they are requesting the device loan.

Students who are currently enrolled with the DRC can schedule a meeting to receive training and support on assistive technologies that may help remove access barriers that have been created in the academic environment.

To schedule a meeting, log in to the DRC Student Portal and select "Schedule an Appointment." Be sure to select the appropriate meeting type: Assistive Technology Consultation.

Some commonly used examples of AT the DRC may provide are:

• Video Magnification
• Screen Readers
• Text to Speech
• Adapted Computer Hardware
• Recording Devices
• Assistive Listening Devices
• Alternate Textbooks

The DRC is proud to sponsor Texthelp's Read & Write and Orbit Note software as comprehensive literacy support tools for all UNCW students, staff, and faculty.

Read&Write by Texthelp

Read&Write is a literacy support tool that offers help with everyday tasks like reading text out loud, understanding unfamiliar words, researching assignments and proofing written work. 

• How to install Read&Write on a UNCW Computer
• How to install Read&Write on a Personal Computer
• Interactive Toolbar Overview
• Read&Write for Higher Education YouTube (1:11:55)
  • Introduction (00:02:13)
  • Help with Reading (00:06:57)
  • Help with Writing (00:04:04)
  • Help with Revision (00:01:41)
  • Help with Studying (00:02:04)

If you choose to download the extension for use with the Google Chrome webbrowser on a personal computer, you will need to make sure to log in to Chrome using your UNCW email address in order to access the premium features:

• Creating a Gmail Account
  • Create a Gmail account - Gmail Help (google.com)
    • Select “Use my current email address instead” and enter your UNCW email.
    • You will need to go through the steps to accept the permissions after adding a UNCW email.

OrbitNote by Texthelp

OrbitNote allows you to transform and interact with documents in a completely different way. Create an accessible, dynamic and collaborative space that works for everyone.

• Introducting Orbit Note Playlist YouTube

If you are registered DRC student and need assistance, please log on to the Student Portal and schedule an appointment for an Assistive Technology Consultation.

Windows

• Windows Accessibility Features
• Microsoft Edge Web Browser Accessibility Features

Apple

• MAC Accessibility Features
• iPhone Accessibility Features
• iPad Accessibility Features

Google & Android

• Chromebook Accessibility Features
• Chrome Web Browser Accessibility Extensions
• Android Accessibility Overview