IT Services
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Assistive PCs
IT Services currently supports ten 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 additional facilities to make computer work easier for any student with a disability or specific learning needs.
To use the Assistive PCs, you will need to register with the IT Services Disability Advisor Liz Davis (E.A.Davis@sussex.ac.uk, internal telephone extension: 3131). Once registered, you can login using your IT username and password and will have access to your own N:drive and email.
- What is an Assistive PC?
- Where are the Assistive PCs?
- What do the Assistive PCs offer?
- Can anyone use the Assistive PCs?
- Are the Assistive PCs difficult to use?
- How do I learn about the assistive software available on the Assistive PCs?
- How do I use the scanners connected to the Assistive PCs?
- How do I contact the IT Services Disability Advisor?
- Assistive software
What is an Assistive PC?
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.
Where are the Assistive PCs?
The 10 Assistive PCs are located in the following areas:
- 4 in IT Services in Shawcross
available 24 hours via coded keypad - this location also provides access to IT Service Desk, printers, PABS, toilets/disabled toilet - 6 in the Library
1 in single study room 120 (bookable), 2 in the assistive technology room on the ground floor near the hub, and 2 each in the open plan areas to the rear of the ground and first floors
All locations are wheelchair accessible.
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
- "Kurzweil 3000" - Reading system for users with learning or reading difficulties, e.g. dyslexia
- "ClaroRead" - Multi-sensory software for supporting reading and writing
- "Inspiration" - Mind Mapping software
- Some Assistive PCs have electrically operated height adjustable desks
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 the IT Services Disability Advisor, Liz Davis, who will arrange access 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.
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. The desktop will look slightly different because of the icons for the assistive software. However, these icons are in addition to the standard software found on all IT Services PCs.
How do I learn about the assistive software available on the Assistive PCs?
If students have a long-standing or previously diagnosed condition then they often arrive at Sussex with a working knowledge of assistive software. For those who are assessed or diagnosed with a condition and are able to claim DSA (Disabled Students Allowance) training is normally included as part of the claim. If you do not qualify for DSA but are still registered to use the Assistive PCs then we offer as much online help as possible, and users can contact the IT Services Disability Advisor, Liz Davis, for assistance.
How do I use the scanners connected to the Assistive PCs?
This depends upon whether you want to use the scanners with an assistive package or to scan a document into Word for editing.
If you want to use the scanner with an assistive package, then you need to consult the online help available for the particular package or speak to the IT Services Disability Advisor, Liz Davis.
If you want to use the scanner with Word, then there is information on our web pages:
How do I contact the IT Services Disability Advisor?
Liz Davis the IT Services Disability Advisor is available between 9.00am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday on extension 3131 and can be contacted at any time via email at E.A.Davis@sussex.ac.uk
Assistive software
Inspiration
Inspiration 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
Kurzweil 3000
Kurzweil 3000 is a scanning, reading and writing solution for people with learning disabilities or reading difficulties. When reading, words are highlighted in a contrasting colour making it easier for the user to follow the text.
created on 2010-02-03 by Liz Davis
last updated on 2013-06-25 by David Guest