Technology and Equipment
Southwestern Michigan College Special Populations Office has a number of assistive technology devices and adaptive equipment for students enrolled in the Special Populations services. Inquiries on any of these items should be directed to Susan Sullivan, Coordinator Special Populations at 269 687-4801 or email her at ssullivan@swmich.edu.
Specialized Software
Use of a Screen Reader
Read and Write Gold 6
The Special Populations Office has Read and Write Gold 6 text reading software. An introduction to this software can be scheduled with a Special Populations advisor. This software also has scanning capabilities and speech to text (Dragon Dictate) capabilities.
For further information contact one of the Special Populations advisors or seek assistance from the TLC staff. A reference book for using Read and Write Gold 6, can be found next to the Special Populations computer and scanner in each TLC lab. Headphones are available from the TLC staff. This screen reader will allow students to access text saved in word documents or saved in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) documents.
Premier Assistive Technology
- Universal Reader
- e-text Reader
- Universal Talking Dictionary
- Talking Calculator
- Talking Word Processor
Free Screen Reading Software
Students may wish to explore using the following screen reading (text to speech) software:
Natural Reader
The free version of NaturalReader can read aloud any text in your computer such as Microsoft Word, web pages and PDF files. The Professional and Enterprise versions have additional features including conversion of written text into audio files such as MP3 or WAV for your CD Player or iPod.
Adobe Acrobat
Text saved in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format have a Read Out Loud Feature that will read text out loud if the computer has a speech engine installed (Read and Write Gold or Natural Reader, Jaws, etc.) To use the Read Out Loud Feature, click on View, click on Read Out Loud and select one of the following:
- To read the current page, choose Read this Page Only
- To read the entire document, choose Read to End of Document
- To interrupt the reading, choose Pause or Stop
- To restart the reading, choose Resume
- For more information on Reading PDF Documents with Adobe Reader 6.0: A Guide for People with Disabilities click on the link provided above.
Zoom-Text Software
Magnification and Screen Reading software can be installed on a campus computer when required by a student who is legally blind.
Dragon Naturally Speaking - Preferred
Dragon Naturally Speaking is speech to text software generally used by persons with physical disabilities who cannot gain easy access to a keyboard. A microphone is used for input. This software will be provided by Special Populations advisors when required.
Other Adaptive Equipment
CCTV - Aladdin Closed Circuit TV -Magnifier
The Aladdin personal reader is currently located in the Niles Teaching and Learning Center. It has a zoom lens that magnifies newsprint up to two inches. It provides sharp clear magnified images in a large 14-inch diagonal viewing screen. This piece of equipment can be moved to a different location if needed and requests should be made to a Special Populations advisor.
Tape Recorders
The Special Populations office will loan small tape recorders to students with documented disabilities to be used as an alternative study tool. Tape recorders are used to record classroom instruction for study purposes and are loaned on a one semester basis.
Textbooks in Electronic/E-Text Format
Students should let the Special Populations office know about their specific needs before the semester starts. It may take two to four weeks to receive the text in an alternative format or for the text to be scanned.
Electronic text is the easiest, as well as the quickest, way to convert your textbooks and course information. You may also use the Special Populations scanner in each of the three Teaching and Learning Centers on the Dowagiac and Niles Area campuses for small projects and one of the Special Population’s advisors can assist you in learning how to use this available technology.
Due to copyright laws, the Special Populations office must have proof that you have purchased your textbooks. While we may already have a copy of the book from a previous semester, you are still expected to purchase the book to be in compliance with copyright laws.
It is extremely helpful if you return any e-text book on CD after the semester is over if you do not intend to use it again. It will help build a library of available titles for use by other students.