Access Technology Center (ATC)
Computer Programs and Apps
The following programs and apps are available for students to install on their home devices or access in a computer lab on campus.
Most programs are available for download for PC, Mac, Chromebook, Tablet or Smart Phone. There are text-to-speech programs for converting digital text to audio, audiobooks apps, speech-to-text programs for dictation, screen magnification programs, and more.
During your ATC intake appointment, we will provide instruction on how to use these programs and provide information on how to download them onto your devices at home.
Text to Speech Programs and Audiobooks
READ & WRITE GOLD (PC & MAC VERSIONS)
This software program reads digital text (your textbooks) out loud and provides study skills, research, writing and self-editing tools. It allows you to highlight important text within your books and extract it to make a custom study guide. The program can be used on tests with approval from your disability specialist. It is also available, at no cost, for use at home for currently enrolled SRJC-DRD students. Read and Write Gold Website
LEARNING ALLY
Learning Ally has 80,000 human-narrated audiobooks. Listen on computers, smartphones and other devices using accessible technology with page-level navigation, text highlighting and audio or speed adjustments. Learning Ally Website
SPEECH TO TEXT PROGRAMS
DRAGON NATURALLY SPEAKING
Dragon Naturally Speaking enables PC users to create and edit documents and e-mail, fill out forms, and streamline workflow tasks—all by speaking! Dragon Naturally Speaking Professional is Section 508 certified to give people with disabilities complete hands-free use of the PC. It can also be used with any Scansoft-approved handheld recorder and allows editing by voice. Dragon Naturally Speaking is available in various computer labs on both Santa Rosa and Petaluma campuses. Dragon Naturally Speaking Website
OTHER OPTIONS FOR SPEECH TO TEXT
There are various other options for speech to text that are built into Mac, PC, Google Drive and Read & Write Gold. With these tools, you can use your voice to dictate using your computer’s microphone. The Assistive Technology Specialist can go over this info during your ATC Intake Appointment to find the right one for your needs.
Screen Reading or Magnification Programs
JAWS FOR WINDOWS
JAWS for Windows works with your PC to provide access to today’s software applications and the Internet. With its internal software speech synthesizer and the computer’s sound card, information from the screen is read aloud, providing technology to access a wide variety of information, education and job related applications. JAWS also outputs to refreshable braille displays, providing braille support to screen readers. JAWS Information Website
ZOOMTEXT MAGNIFIER/READER
ZoomText Magnifier/Reader is a fully integrated magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users. Magnifier/Reader enlarges and enhances everything on your computer screen, echoes your typing and essential program activity, and automatically reads documents, web pages, email. Students with a SRJC bear cubs email address can have this program downloaded onto their home computer. ZoomText Website
KEYBOARDING
FIVE FINGER TYPIST
Five Finger Typist is a typing tutor for people who want to learn to type with one hand. It teaches the accepted keyboarding technique for one-handed touch-typing on the standard (QWERTY) keyboard. Learn a life-long skill, which can be used on any computer, tablet or phone. Five Finger Typist Website
KEYBOARDING PRO
Keyboarding Pro 6 is an interactive and engaging software which combines new-key learning and skill building to help students master the proper methods for keyboarding quickly and accurately. Keyboarding Pro Website