Technology plays an essential role in access to your education. At Student Accessibility Services (SAS), we offer consultation & support on a wide range of adaptive, assistive & learning technologies that support students with disabilities in their learning journey.
Read&Write and Orbitnote
Trent students, staff, and faculty have free access to Everway's Read&Write & Orbitnote, versatile literacy support tools that help with reading, writing, and studying. It’s available for download on personal Mac and PC devices and works with both Chrome and Edge browsers.
Getting started is simple: visit our Read&Write & OrbitNote page for download links to your preferred platform, sign in with your @trentu.ca email to authenticate via Microsoft and activate your license.
Whether you're writing essays, researching library materials, reviewing notes or navigating online content, Read&Write can help make learning more accessible.
Alternate Format Supports for students with Print Disabilities
Students with documented print disabilities may be eligible for alternate format versions of textbooks and course materials where accessible formats of materials do not commercially exist. A print disability can include:
- Learning disability: An impairment relating to comprehension
- Physical disability: The inability to hold or manipulate a book
- Visual disability: Severe or total impairment of sight or the inability to focus or move one’s eyes
Alternate formats may include PDFs or plain / formatted text documents, ePub, or Braille, depending on the student's needs and availability. These formats are designed to ensure equitable access to academic content.
If you think you may qualify for alternate format supports, speak with your SAS Advisor or contact Caleb directly to explore your options.
Did you know: Books in the Trent University Library collection are also also eligible for alternate format supports via the Accessible Content E-Portal (ACE) - Visit the Library's Accessibility Services page for more information on accessing the ACE portal!
Accommodated Test & Exam Technology Supports
We offer a variety of technologies at the Centre for Academic Testing to support students during tests and exams, depending on individual needs:
- Dragon NaturallySpeaking – Speech-to-text software for supporting students with written expression (setup required)
- Read&Write - Text-to-speech software for students for supporting reading
- JAWS Screen Reader – A screen reading tool designed for students who are blind or visually impaired.
- CCTV Magnification Systems – Assistive devices that magnify printed materials for students with low vision.
These tools are available through SAS and can be discussed as part of your accommodation plan.
Captioning, Transcription & ASL Supports
For students who are D/deaf, deafened or hard of hearing, we provide support arranging captioning and transcription services to ensure full access to course content and lectures.
We are also able to co-ordinate support for students who use American Sign Language (ASL) as part of their academic accommodations. This may include access to qualified ASL interpreters for lectures & seminars. ASL services may be in-person or remote depending on interpreter availability.
Students who require ASL interpretation can speak with their SAS Advisor for more information and to arrange services for support.
Personalized Support with the Adaptive Technologist
Every student is unique and comes equipped with their own set of tools, preferences, and technical skillsets. Whether you're exploring assistive technology for the first time or looking to refine your setup, Caleb, our Adaptive Technologist at SAS, is available to help.
You can book an appointment to:
- Explore tools and resources tailored to your needs
- Get support with setup and troubleshooting
- Discuss ideas and technology strategies that work best for your learning
Appointments can be made by referral from your SAS Advisor or by contacting Caleb directly.
Questions? Ready to Connect?
If you're curious about what AT supports might be right for you, we're here to help!
Reach out to SAS or connect with Caleb to get the conversation started!