Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology Education Center (ATEC) Lab
The Assistive Technology Education Center (ATEC) Lab is D&A’s dedicated space for adaptive equipment and software. It’s located in the Student Services Building (SSB) Room 3.220 and is available to students registered with D&A.
The ATEC Lab includes
- Closed-circuit television (CCTV) for enlarging text and printed materials
- Apple iMac and PC workstations
- Access programs including NVDA, JAWS, ZoomText, Fusion and Kurzweil 3000
- NVDA is a free screen reader that reads text aloud and helps users navigate websites, documents and applications using keyboard commands.
- JAWS is a screen reader that provides spoken and Braille output, allowing users to access websites, documents, email and other digital content.
- ZoomText is a screen magnification and reading program that enlarges text and images on the screen and can read content aloud.
- Fusion combines the screen-reading features of JAWS with the screen magnification features of ZoomText, supporting users with both low vision and blindness.
- Kurzweil 3000 is a text-to-speech program that reads text aloud, reads web content and creates MP3 files. If Kurzweil 3000 is an approved accommodation, submit a request through the Kurzweil 3000 Request Form . You will receive setup instructions within one to three business days.
For questions about the ATEC Lab, email the lab manager at
Software and Tools
The tools below can help with accessibility, notetaking, transcription and creating accessible materials. Most are free or have free versions available.
Note: The list is not comprehensive, but it provides a starting point for finding tools that meet your needs.
Built-In Screen Readers
- Windows Narrator: Built into Windows devices
- VoiceOver: Built into Mac computers and Apple devices
- ChromeVox: Free screen reader extension for Google Chrome
- TalkBack: Built into Android devices
- NVDA: Free screen reader for Windows, an alternative to JAWS
- Microsoft Immersive Reader: Built into Microsoft products and reads text aloud
Digital Notetaking and Transcription
- OneNote: Records lectures, transcribes audio, syncs and shares notes. Free for UT students, faculty and staff.
- Otter.ai: Transcribes audio, generates smart notes, integrates with Zoom and Microsoft Teams. The free version includes 300 minutes per month.
- Helperbird: Browser-based accessibility tool that includes reader mode, font customization, immersive reader and magnification features. A free version is available, while a student plan with additional features costs $40 per year.
If you need assistance accessing these services, contact us. We are happy to help.
Accessible Course Materials
D&A can convert course materials into accessible formats for students approved for this accommodation. If you are approved for accessible course materials, submit your request as early as possible. Most requests are processed within five to ten business days.
Submit Your Book List
Complete the Accessible Format Book Request Form. You’ll need:
- A photo or screenshot of your receipt
- The full title, edition and ISBN-13 of each book
- Author, publisher and publication year
- Any specific format requests
D&A Works with Publishers
D&A contacts publishers to obtain digital versions of your course materials. If a digital version isn’t available, you’ll be asked to bring in your physical copy for scanning.
Receive Your Materials
Once your materials are ready, they will be delivered through a secure UT Box link in a format compatible with Kurzweil. The link is active for 30 days, so download and save your files to a personal device or drive.
Free eBook Resources
Several free resources are available for finding accessible digital texts.
HathiTrust
A large digital library combining materials from Google Books, the Internet Archive and university library collections, including UT Libraries.
Bookshare
A collection of accessible digital books. To filter results, use the Advanced Search feature and select “Freely Available Books.”
Project Gutenberg
A collection of over 60,000 free eBooks, mostly older literary works published before 1924.