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Accessibility for All at Berkeley College

This guide is a resource for Accessibility Services at Berkeley College. Please contact AccessibilityServices@BerkeleyCollege.edu for more information

Listen to Text on Your Devices

Using text-to-speech programs can help students with visual impairments, learning disabilities, dyslexia, or ADD/ADHD as you can  listen and read the text at the same time. This can help you remember and understand the text more. 

Apple Products

Windows/Microsoft Products

Google

Accessibility in Canvas (Text-to-Speech)

Have Your Textbook Read Aloud

This is a good option if:

  • You prefer to listen than read.
  • You’re an auditory learner.
  • You want to read and listen to the content at the same time.
  • You have a lot of material to read and find your eyes get tired.
  • You read on your commute.
  • You don’t want to, or can’t, carry print materials for any length of time.
  • You have a visual impairment

Immersive Reader in Canvas:  How do I use the Microsoft Immersive Reader in a course?

VitalSource: Can I have the eTextBook read aloud to me?

Video Instructions on Using Immersive Reader

Have Your Files Read Aloud

You can also download files from Canvas in alternate formats where you can listen to them on various devices or translate to electronic braille. To use audio, download an alternate format of a file and use a text-to-speech program to read the information aloud to you. Many computers and smartphones have screenreaders already built into their systems.

Download alternative formats in Canvas 

Video Instructions on downloading alternate formats 

Dictate your papers (Speech-to-text)

Instead of typing notes or papers, try dictating them onto your smartphone or computer. Here are instructions on how to do this.

Record Lectures (Creating an audio recording)

Instructors may not allow for their lectures to be recorded. One of the approved accommodations is permission to record lectures through the use of a speech-to-text software. If you have this accommodation, your instructor must allow you to record a lecture as long as a student has signed the audio recording contract and agree to erase recordings at the term’s end. 

Here are instructions on how to record speech from a smartphone or a computer.

 

Screen Readers and Screen Magnifiers

Screen Reader

A screen reader is software that individuals who cannot see use to interact with the computer, especially the operating system.  A screen reader narrates the text of all menu options and programs out loud to the user. 

Windows/Microsoft products: Narrator can be activated using the keyboard combination of "Windows key + U." To effectively navigate the computer when Narrator is running, refer to the Narrator Command List

Screen Magnifiers

Apple

Here are a variety of tools built into the Mac OS for those with visual impairments. In iOS, one can turn your device into a magnifying glass or simply magnify the screen with display zoom.

Windows

Magnifier

Android

Magnification