Assistive technologies
What are ‘Assistive Technologies’?
Assistive technologies are digital tools, specialist software and equipment that can help you increase your productivity when studying. Examples:
- Text to speech tools that read text aloud.
- Font and colour options to match your vision.
Looking for a specific tool?
Our recommended resource is Ability Net’s My Computer My Way which provides simple ‘how to’ guides to make your device easier to use.
Built-in features
Your operating system
Use your operating system’s settings to ensure your device is set-up correctly for you. All devices have options relating to the display, keyboard, voice control and more.
- For Microsoft Windows use Windows Settings > Ease of Access, to access features such as Narrator, Magnifier and colour filters. See Microsoft Accessibility help to use these features.
- Apple Mac OS includes features to help you work in alternative ways including keyboard customisation, screen motion-reduction and Switch Control for assistive devices. Get started with accessibility features on Mac.
- Apple iPhone and iPad devices have built-in settings that include voice control and display changes. From your device’s Home screen, go to Settings and find Accessibility. See accessibility features on Apple iPhone or see accessibility features on Apple iPad.
- Google Android devices include audio, vision and mobility support. On your device’s Settings app, tap Accessibility to find features. More about accessibility on Google Android devices.
Your internet browser
- Microsoft Edge includes Read Aloud and Immersive Readings functions: Accessibility features in Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome include TalkBack and options for changing text size: Accessibility on Chrome
Tools for PDFs
Acrobat Reader has a Read Aloud feature and an option to change the background colour when reading a PDF. Watch our videos to learn more:
How to use read aloud:
How to change background colours on a PDF:
Using PowerPoint files
PowerPoint files provided as part of your course should be digitally accessible, but you may want to adjust them for your own viewing preference.
- Switch to high contrast view (View menu > Black and White)
- Change slide background colour (Design menu > Format Background)
- PowerPoint Online also has the Immersive Reader (View Menu > Immersive Reader)
Other free tools
There are many free and paid-for assistive technologies. These examples all have free versions:
- Grammarly is an online writing assistant which helps check your spelling, grammar, punctuation and assist with the clarity of your writing. It has a free version: Grammarly for Students
- Wordtune is an AI paraphrasing and summarising tool that assists with grammar and spelling. Wordtune
- Mindly is a mind-mapping tool which helps you organise information in a more visual way. It works on multiple devices including phones. It has a free version: Mindly App
- Popplet is a mind-mapping tool which allows you to incorporate media such as YouTube videos. The free version limits you to one mind map: Popplet