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Assistive technology loans
Disability Resources has a small inventory of assistive technology devices that eligible students are able to borrow for a semester. The technology is made available to students at the beginning of each semester on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students are required to complete and sign a Technology Loan Form, and agree to return the device to Disability Resources at the end of the semester.
Eligibility
Students must meet the following criteria to borrow a device from Disability Resources:
- The student must be eligible for an accommodation that is consistent with the type of device borrowed. For example, a student requesting a loan of a digital recorder would need to be eligible for the accommodation of an audio recorder.
- The student must be registered with Disability Resources for the semester in which they are requesting the device loan.
Student responsibility
When students borrow technology from Disability Resources, they are required to complete and sign a Technology Loan Form that indicates they agree to the following conditions:
- The student is responsible for returning the equipment to Disability Resources on or before the return due date.
- The technology will be returned in the same condition and working order as when it was received.
- Disability Resources will be notified immediately if the technology is not working for any reason.
- The technology will be returned before the end of the loan agreement if it is not being utilized on a regular basis.
- A charge for the replacement cost of the technology will be placed on the students account the week before the end of the loan period; and the charge will be removed once the technology is returned to Disability Resources.
Technology available
The following types of technology are available to borrow on a first-come, first-serve basis:
- Digital Recorder
- Smart Pen
- XTag Wireless Microphone
- FM Listening System
- Portable Loop System
- Portable CCTV
- Sonocent Audio Note-Taker
Digital recorder
Disability Resources has a variety of Sony digital recorders available for students to borrow. These recorders have the capability of creating separate folders for each class and transferring the audio file to a computer. The older models require batteries for charging, while the newer models are charged using a USB cable.
Smart Pen
A Smart Pen is a ballpoint pen that contains an digital recorder and computer. The Smart Pen is used with special Anoto digital paper, which allows the user to record what is written and synchronize the notes with any audio that was recorded. The notes can later be uploaded to a computer. A student who has the accommodation of an audio recorder would be eligible to borrow a Smart Pen.
XTag wireless microphone
The XTag wireless microphone from Revo Labs is an omnidirectional microphone that is used primary for students who have an accommodation of Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART). The digital base receiver unit connects to any Windows or Apple computer through a USB interface. It does not require any device drivers or software and installs immediately. The microphone provides the remote captioner with clearer audio of the class lecture.
FM listening system
Personal FM Listening Systems are wireless assistive listening devices that consist of:
- A transmitter, which enables sound to be picked up from a speaker using a lavalier microphone, or any other sound source.
- A receiver, which allows the end user to receive better clarity of speech and sound by reducing background noise.
FM systems can enhance the use of hearing aids or cochlear implants, but are typically used by individuals who are hard of hearing and do not wear hearing aids.
Disability Resources has two different types of FM Listening Systems available to borrow:
- Comfort Contego
- Williams Sound Motiva
Portable loop system
The portable induction loop systems are beneficial for individuals who wear a hearing aid with a T-coil. The system contains an integral microphone that picks up the sound of speech within the room, and transmits the audio directly to the individuals hearing aid through the T-coil. The system requires no set-up other than being fully charged and turned on when ready to use.
Portable CCTV
This is a portable device that will magnify print material, as well as content written on a whiteboard or blackboard in a classroom. A student who has an accommodation for either a CCTV or large print would be eligible to borrow this technology. The device available for loan is the Transformer HD. This is a high performance portable video magnifier, that features a Sony full HD 1080p 3-in-1 camera. The device has 4 desktop positions (left, right, forward and upright), magnification up to 30x, 32 viewing modes to optimize contrast and brightness, and works in either full or split screen mode.
Sonocent Audio note-taker
Disability Resources has a 25 seat license for for the Sonocent Audio Note-taker program. Students who are eligible for a note-taker accommodation may request access to this software for use during any semester they are registered with Disability Resources. The program can be used on a laptop or any mobile device to assist in:
- Note-Taking
- Study Skills
- Language Learning
- Transcription and Interviewing
The program includes the following features:
Capture audio
The program includes a companion app for recording audio, and also works with recordings taken from another source. The audio is visualized, phrase-by-phrase, in chunks.
Annotate
The program allows you to highlight audio, add photos, slides and text notes for use alongside the recordings.
Review
Chunks of audio may be reviewed and listened to at a slower or faster pace, and allows the inclusion of more detailed notes.
Engage
Information can be brought together by topic or task. The information may also be exported into multiple file formats.