Home / Services and Accommodations / Overview / Inclusive Computing and Technology (ICAT) Lab / Online Accessibility Resources

Online Accessibility Resources

Tutorials and Online resources

    Intro to Mac/PC

  • Hoonuit provides free online video tutorials for basic Apple Mac OS skills and navigation. These videos will show you how to navigate Finder, add things to the dock, organize folders, take screenshots and more.
  • GFC Learn Free offers free tutorials and guides for computer beginners. These guides cover computer basics, basic skills, mouse tutorials, typing tutorials, internet 101, savvy tips and tricks and much more.
  • Sense-Lang is a free resource that contains keyboarding tutorials, tests and games to help improve your typing skills.
  • UCSC offers technical trainings for those who want to learn more about computers and how to navigate and fully utilize Google applications, databases, project management, desktop publishing and spreadsheets.

  • Microsoft Office Tutorials and Resources has trainings and basic guides for Microsoft Office 2010 and 2011 applications such as Word, Powerpoint and Excel.

  • On-Campus Technical Support

  • Residential Network Services (ResNet) helps with internet problems, connecting routers, as well as general computer issues such as software and viruses.

    ITS has information on Recommended Computer Specs regarding current requirements and recommendations for each type of computer operating system. 

    • Electronic Text Book Resource

  • Bookshare is a free online accessible library of ebooks for people with print disabilities. The online reader provides digital braille, enlarged fonts, and high quality text-to-speech voices. It is also able to create physical braille or large print, and it highlights words as they are read. Ebooks can be accessed by computer, mobile device or hardware devices. Please ask the DRC A.T. Coordinator or a DRC Service Coordinator for more information.

  • Project Gutenberg offers over 49,000 free ebooks in multiple formats including epub, mobi, and txt. Ebooks can be either downloaded or read online. Project Gutenberg also offers audio books, sheet music, CD and DVDs.

    • Audio Books

  • Learning Ally has more than 80,000 audio books that supports all grade levels and subjects. You can listen to texbooks or best-sellers read by real people. With easy navigation, tone and speed can be adjusted without distorting the narrator’s voice quality or pitch. The audio books can be accessed through the computer, Apple IOS devices, android devices, and DAISY devices. Please ask the DRC A.T. Coordinator or Service Coordinator for more information.

    • Document Converter Tool

  • SensusAccess is an online file conversion system that converts documents into more accessible formats (such as searchable PDFs, audio MP3 files, Daisy, Braille, or e-text) for individuals with visual, physical, or information processing disabilities who experience barriers with print materials.

    How to use:

    • Reading Tools

    • Beeline Reader is an online plug-in and mobile app that makes reading faster and easier by using a color gradient that helps guide your eyes from the end of one line to the beginner of another. This helps prevent accidentally re-reading the same sentences over again or skipping sentences all together. This also helps reduce eyestrain. Beeline Reader works on websites, ebooks, email, and other documents.
    • Microsoft Immersive Reader allows anyone with dyslexia, low vision, visual processing disorders or ADHD to customize how they read the text. It is available when using Microsoft Edge browser, Microsoft products, browser extensions, mobile apps and in Canvas pages. The end-user can customize the font-size, background color, font-spacing, present text using line focus, adjust font spacing, and read aloud without a screen reader. This tool incorporates current reading research and inclusive design principles. It will be a helpful tool for the students.

    • Reading (Text-to-speech)

  • ClaroPDF is an application for iOS that allows users to read, annotate, and edit PDF documents with a touchscreen device. The software has several drawing tools including pens, highlighters, and shapes. Sticky notes and text boxes can be added anywhere on an existing document. ClaroPDF also allows users to import saved photos and audio into their PDFs. Users can open webpages through the app’s browser and automatically convert them into editable PDF files.
  • NaturalReader is a program for PC and Mac and an application for iOS and Android that converts typed text into a spoken audio format. Users can copy and paste text or import Word or PDF documents into the program, which will proceed to read it aloud. The software’s variety of voices have adjustable speed and are customizable and natural-sounding - not like a robot! NaturalReader also has a floating toolbar that allows users to read directly off of web browsers. Imported text can be saved as an MP3 audio file for playback on the go.
  • Read and Write Gold Text-to-speech and study tool software that includes many functions such as an online dictionary, spell checker, grammar/thesaurus checker, etc.

  • Voice Dream is an application for iOS and Android that converts written text into a spoken audio format. The application highlights text that it reads aloud, and there are Play, Pause, Fast-forward, and Rewind buttons just like any audio playback software. Users can import PDF and Microsoft Word documents and other files into the application, which will be stored on its Home menu. Text can be resized, and the voices are customizable and natural-sounding. Users can also use the built-in web browser to extract text on webpages into the application.

    • Flashcards

  • Quizlet is a website and application for iOS and Android that allows users to create portable electronic flashcards. Users can flip cards to the front or back by clicking or tapping, just as they would inspect a physical index card. The cards can be sorted by category or subject, and the software includes 2 different quiz and matching games to help users memorize and study terms. Users can upload their created decks to an online database, where they can search for and download other decks. Quizlet also uses an account system to sync saved decks across all devices, whether created on a computer or a smart device.

    • Mind Maps

  • Mindly is an application for Mac OSX, iOS, and Android that allows users to create more complex mind maps. The maps are aesthetically pleasing, with a sleek design and smooth user interface. The free version limits how many nodes users can create in one map. When a bubble in the map is clicked or tapped, it zooms in to reveal more bubbles, which can be rotated around the main one. Mindly is ideal for displaying text, photos, and ideas in a similar style to PowerPoint and Prezi.

  • Popplet is an application for iOS that allows users to create mind maps and flow charts. The bubbles, called “popplets”, are colorful and can be resized. Users can write text and import photos into bubbles and automatically link them using the intuitive touch controls. Users can upload created projects to an online database, where they can search for and download other projects. These can also be saved to the iOS device as JPEG or PDF files.

    • Google Drive

  • Google Drive is a cloud-based file storage system that can be accessed on any computer, iOS, or Android device. Anyone with a Google account can store documents and projects of various file formats on Drive. Google Docs is the word processor of Drive. Documents can be shared with classmates or coworkers and can be edited simultaneously; many students use Docs to collaborate on group projects. Google Slides is essentially the same as Docs, but based around slideshows. Google Docs and Slides are excellent substitutes for Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, respectively.