Assistive Technology

Hudson Valley Community College provides an accessible computing environment to computer technology through specifically designed adaptive equipment.

Students may:

• Use the equipment in conjunction with computer courses offered at Hudson Valley Community College
• Request an orientation to the specifically designed computer equipment for personal knowledge
• Be evaluated on the assistive technology, to assist them in making their own determination regarding the type of components they may wish to purchase or have purchased by a funding agency such as the ACCES/VR NYS Educational Department Adult Career and Continuing Education Services Vocational Rehabilitation or the NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH)
• Utilize several computers equipped with various components available throughout the campus.

Students interested in using these technologies should schedule an appointment by contacting the Center for Access and Assistive Technology at (518) 629-7154.

Equipment, Software and Services Available

These resources are made available through a VATEA grant.

SensusAccess
SensusAccess is an automated document conversion service that allows you to convert your readings into alternate formats. You can also use SensusAccess to convert inaccessible or tricky documents into more accessible formats.
NOTE: This service is available to all Hudson Valley Community College students, faculty and staff.

Kurzweil 3000
The Kurzweil 3000 is specifically designed to improve comprehension for students with learning disabilities. Students place their books (or other printed material) on a scanner. After scanning, an exact image, including pictures and illustrations, appears on the computer screen. The student can have the text read aloud with each spoken word highlighted, adjusting speed and reading voice for maximum comprehension. The Kurzweil 3000 provides spoken dictionary, synonyms, syllabication and letter-by-letter spelling.

• How to Use Kurzweil for Reading Online (PDF)
  NOTE: Students should contact the Center for Access and Assistive Technology at (518) 629-7154 if they need an account or password information for Kurzweil 3000.

Kurzweil 1000
The Kurzweil 1000 is an advanced PC-based reading tool that is able to convert printed word into speech for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Dragon Naturally Speaking (Professional Editorial Version)
This is a continuous speech recognition software program. It transcribes spoken words and lets the user control Windows applications with voice commands.

Jaws for Windows
This is a powerful computer screen reading software with synthesized speech. It works with Microsoft Windows and is designed for the visually impaired students. Simple keystrokes give the user the ability to read computer pages with graphics, complex columns and even frames on internet webpages.

Zoomtext
This is a family of adaptive software designed specifically to meet the needs of the visually impaired. Zoomtext includes two (2) adaptive technologies: screen magnification and screen reading. It provides access to all Microsoft Windows applications.

Everest Braille Printer with Megadots Braille Translation
This software allows material available in computer text to be produced directly in Braille. It can translate material directly from many word processing formats.

Tactile Image Enhancer
A machine that looks and acts like a standard copier, but permits copying of pictures and diagrams in raised formats to provide a tactile dimension.

Optelec Spectrum SVGA
A full-color computer compatible system that interfaces with a computer to display computer graphics and magnified reading material simultaneously.

Other:

• Laptop computer
• Franklin Language Master
• FM amplification system
• Four-track audio player