Assistive Technology

Explore the Assistive Technologies Available to Support Your Success

At John Jay, we’re committed to ensuring that all students have equal access to learning. Assistive technology plays a key role in helping students with disabilities overcome barriers and reach their academic goals. Whether you need support with reading, writing, note-taking, or visual access, we offer a range of software and hardware tools tailored to your individual needs. Below, you’ll find some of the most commonly used assistive technologies available through our office.

Kurzweil 3000 is text-to-speech software that reads and highlights text as the text is read. It helps to increase comprehension and memory retention for those who have learning and cognitive disabilities. Kurzweil 3000 recently received an update allowing it to be able to scan and read mathematical equations. 

Please be advised that the math reader function of Kurzweil 3000 does have limitations. These limitations are:

  1. Users must manually select the math equation to be read, which can slow down workflow.
  2. Accuracy depends heavily on the quality of the document, especially for scanned or handwritten math.
  3. This feature isn't fully available across all Kurzweil versions (for example, there are limitations to the browser version of Kurzweil).
  4. The processed math equations are not always saved for reuse, meaning you may need to reprocess a math equation when revisiting a document

JAWS is a screen reader software designed to run on the Windows platform and is commonly used by blind and low vison students. Students can access the computer and many of its applications using a variety of keyboard commands. JAWS is also used to navigate websites and other web-based applications.

This is an online platform where the user can request for textbooks to be sent in a certain format that is compatible with screen readers. 

To request an accessible format of an textbook, students must first purchase a copy of the textbook in accordance to copyright law. Afterward, students should email the Assistive Technology Coordinator with the following:

  • Title of the textbook
  • Author
  • ISBN number
  • Course this textbook is for
  • Attach a copy of the textbook receipt

Once the Assistive Technology Coordinator is in receipt of the above, they will contact the necessary parties to procure an accessible format of the textbook. Please be advised that this process can take up to two to three weeks.

Genio and Jamworks are both online, browser-based note-taking platform that allows the user to record audio from course lectures and synchronize the notes taken with the audio recorded. While the software is recording audio, it will caption the audio and once it is done recording, you can transcribe the audio. Please keep in mind that when playing back recorded audio, you will not have access to live captioning, only the transcript. Below, we have included functions specific to each software platform.

Genio:

  • Can be installed as an application on mobile devices
  • Allows the user to take notes and connect those notes with timestamps on the recorded audio

Jamworks:

  • Need to install an application to record audio
  • You can upload pre-recorded audio to the platform
  • The platform can generate key points and a summary of the uploaded audio. It will also create a list of audio highlights with timestamps.
  • There is an AI assistant that can create the following based on the audio:
    • Quiz
    • Creative story
    • Analog
    • Emoji Quiz
    • A simplification of the audio content
    • List of key definitions
    • Memory Aids
  • Important: There is a limited number of Jamwork licenses available at our office.

ZoomText is a screen magnification software that can magnify the computer screen at different levels to accommodate many degrees of vision loss. It can be used with many applications, including popular internet browsers. Magnified text may be read aloud as well. The mouse pointer color and the screen contrast can be adjusted to meet different users’ needs.

Fusion is an assistive technology software that is a combination of both JAWS and ZoomText. It allows users to magnify the computer screen and read screen contents. Functions that can be found in either JAWS and ZoomText will also be available in Fusion.

This hardware technology allows users to record class lectures and listen to them after class. They have four (4) separate folders users can can store the recordings in, which allows for organization. The recorders can store around 200 hours total of voice recordings.

This includes tables and workstations that can be raised or lowered to accommodate individuals who use wheelchairs or have other mobility-related needs. The adjustable height ensures comfortable and accessible seating for all students, allowing them to fully participate in classroom or testing environments.

These are Sign Glasses

Sign Glasses

The Sign Glasses allow students to have access to a sign language interpreter, CART, or transcriber remotely. These practitioners will be interpreting or transcribing the lecture in real time for the student. Through the Sign Glasses website, you can also request transcription or interpretation services for remote lectures. You can utilize the service either through your personal device or by borrowing from our office glasses that comes with a built-in camera, microphone, and screen.

This is a BrailleTrac 120 device

BrailleTrac 120

The Irie BrailleTrac is a braille embosser that can generate high-resolution tactile graphs using 8 different distinctive dot heights. The dot heights can be used to depict the different colors of an image or to add details such as depth.

Image of a Livescribe Pen

Livescribe Pen

The Livescribe pen is a smart pen that uses unique micro dot paper to record lecture audio that is synced with the student’s handwritten notes. It allows the student to go back and review the recording of incomplete or missed notes by simply tapping on the notes with the pen.

Two different Optelec devices, on the left there's the Optelec speech and on the right there's the Optelec reader.

Optelec

  • The device on the right is a ClearReader+, a text-to-speech reader designed for individuals with learning or cognitive disabilities. It scans printed text and reads it aloud from beginning to end. Users can adjust settings such as reading speed, volume, and specific sections of the text.
  • The device on the left is a ClearView+ speech, a desktop video magnifier used by individuals with visual impairments. It enlarges printed material and displays it on a screen to make reading easier. The magnification level and display settings can be customized based on the user's needs.
A Roger Neck Loop Device

Personal FM System (Roger Neck Loop)

This transmitter/receiver system is used by individuals who are hard of hearing to enhance the lecturer’s voice (volume). A typical setup includes the professor and a student in the classroom. The professor wears the transmitter and the student wears the receiver.

Image of a UbiDuo device

UbiDuo

This device is a pair of screens with an integrated keyboard belonging to each half. It is used by deaf & hard of hearing individuals and those with speech impairments to communicate. The UbiDuo can be used to communicate on a one-to-one basis and in group study sessions. Think of “texting,” but where each user is able to see what the other is typing in real-time.

List of Available Assistive Technology Resources

CUNY Assistive Technology Services website

If you have any questions or concerns, please email the Coordinator of Assistive Technology Jonathan Zou.