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Accessibility Services > Adaptive Equipment Lab

Adaptive Equipment Lab

The Adaptive Equipment Lab is available to students referred by one of the following service providers:

Registered users may enter using the regularly updated door code displayed at Room 134 Door Code. You must visit the CDS Assistive Technology Lab in TEL to get a login to access Room 134 computers.  No group study work is permitted. The Lab is intended for quiet study only.  Library rules on food, drink and conduct must be followed.

The Lab is located in room 134 Scott Library and offers four individual study rooms (Rooms A,B,C and D), one large room with eleven computers (Room E) and one room without computers (Room K) for laptop use or for quiet study.  There is also one room available in SMIL (Sound and Moving Image Library).

Starting in January 2013 we will be piloting a new online room availablity display,  and and individual study room booking online option for registered users.  You may also book individual study rooms by contacting LAS at 416-736-2100 ext 58484 or by email to ws134@yorku.ca  Learn more at Adaptive Lab Room Booking.

Adaptive Software and Hardware

The lab houses accessible computers with the following adaptive technology software: Kurzweil 1000, Kurzweil 3000 and compatible scanners, DAISY, ReadPlease, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Inspiration and Zoom Text.

Kurzweil 1000 is software that makes printed or electronic text readily available to people who are blind or visually impaired. It combines accessibility, communication and productivity tools to ease and enhance their reading, writing and learning experience.  The software speaks text aloud in a variety of natural-sounding voices that can be modified to suit individual preferences. In addition, it provides users with document creation and editing as well as study skills capabilities for note taking, summarizing and outlining text.  Kurzweil 1000 delivers quick access to a wealth of information including online books, magazines and encyclopedias or material that has been scanned and character recognized by the software. Users can also take their reading wherever they go by sending files to Braille note takers and embossers as well as portable devices such as DAISY and MP3 audio players.

Kurzweil 3000 is a comprehensive reading, writing and learning software program designed for individuals with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia or attention deficit disorder.  The software can access virtually any information, whether it is printed, electronic, or on the Web.  Kurzweil 3000 facilitates active reading including: highlighting, text circle tools, annotations, Bookmarks, Voice Notes and Extract in order to create outlines, study guides, or word lists.  It reads the words aloud to the student in clear, humanlike, synthetic speech.

DAISY books are digital talking books that may contain both sound and text. DAISY stands for Digital Accessible Information SYstem. Disks can be read on a portable digital playback device or on a computer with DAISY software. 

ReadPlease is text-to-speech software for Windows based operating systems.  It reads virtually any text you see on your screen.

Dragon Naturally Speaking is a voice input word processing program that types as you speak. After an initial training period that allows the program to become accustomed to a user’s voice, it can perform many functions of a regular word processing program through auditory commands. Students are able compose, edit and save their documents through voice commands, without having to touch the keyboard. It also lets them listen to what they have dictated.

Inspiration is a graphic based program that readily allows the user to create a pictorial representation of a mind mapping or brainstorming session. Colours and shapes are used to organize ideas into charts. These charts are then transferred to an outline that uses headings and sub-headings. This tool is excellent for visual learners. It is also extremely helpful both for brainstorming ideas prior to writing, as well as outlining an essay already written in order to check for flow and connections.

Zoom Text enlarges and enhances everything on the computer screen, making applications easier to see and use.

General Services

A networked printer is stationed in the lab.  Printing is 10 cents per page (a photocopy card is required).  The lab also has a CCTV reader, AirYork for laptops and accessible washrooms.