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Digital Accessibility

Digital Accessibility

Assistive software

Mindview

Mindview is a visual learning tool which allows you to get thoughts and ideas quickly onto the screen in a diagrammatic way. It enables you to re-organise and structure your thoughts as well as create outlines for essays, presentations and reports. These can then be easily copied into Microsoft Word for expansion.

ClaroRead

ClaroRead is a highly effective multi-sensory software solution for supporting reading and writing and is helpful to users with dyslexia.

ZoomText

ZoomText is a powerful screen magnification package which allows magnification up to 32 times. It also provides sophisticated speech output and can read menus and dialogue boxes. The software is designed for anyone using Windows who has a visual impairment. 

 

For more information on what other software is available please visit this Digital Accessibility page.

 

What is an Assistive PC?

IT Services currently supports four dedicated PCs for students with a disability or specific learning need. This guide describes the facilities that are available and where they can be found.

All Assistive PCs have software to make computer work easier for any student with a disability or specific learning needs.

To use the Assistive PCs, you will need to contact IT Services by emailing support@sussex.ac.uk. Once registered, you can login using your IT username and password and will have access to your own N:drive and email.

An Assistive PC is a PC specifically for use by students with disabilities or specific learning needs. Each PC offers our standard desktop, but also includes a variety of assistive packages to help users with learning difficulties or a visual impairment. Each PC has been carefully located to ensure easy access for users with a physical disability.

Note: assistive software is available on all campus cluster PCs. More information on this can be found on this FAQ.

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Where are the Assistive PCs?

The four Assistive PCs are located in the Library:

  • Two in the assistive technology room on the ground floor near the hub.
  • Two each in the ground floor cluster space. 

All locations are wheelchair accessible.

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What do the Assistive PCs offer?

The Assistive PCs offer the following facilities and assistive software:

  • scanner with OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software to "read" text
  • "ZoomText" - Screen Magnification software
  • "ClaroRead Pro" - Multi-sensory software for supporting reading and writing
  • "Mindview" - Mind Mapping software
  • Some Assistive PCs have electrically operated height adjustable desks

Note: assistive software is available on all campus cluster PCs. More information on this can be found on this FAQ.

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Can anyone use the Assistive PCs?

No. The Assistive PCs are only for use by students with a disability or specific learning need. Students who would like to use the Assistive PCs need to make contact with IT Services so access can be arranged for them. If you are unsure if you would benefit from using the Assistive PCs then the Student Support Unit in Pevensey 1 may be able to offer advice. Students are often referred to IT Services following an assessment or consultation with them.

For ways to contact IT Services please visit this ITS Help page. 

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Are the Assistive PCs difficult to use?

No. Once access has been approved you will be notified by email. You can then login to the Assistive PCs using your IT Services username and password and will have access to your N:drive. 

 

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created on 2010-02-03 by Liz Davis
last updated on 2024-02-14 by Benoit Sharp