Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology can help students with a variety of needs to enhance their learning potential and ability. It includes computer software and applications as well as practical equipment. Below is helpful information and resources on some that are available.

Software and Applications

The following are recommended by Student Accessibility Services and can be accessed at no cost via the internet. 

Text-to-Speech (TTS) uses speech synthesis technology to convert onscreen text into words spoken aloud. This is beneficial to a variety of users, such as English Language Learning (ELL) students, persons with visual disabilities, persons with learning disabilities, and those with time constraints who might want to multitask while listening to papers, articles, books, or web pages being read aloud.   

There are now several Text-to-Speech Google Chrome extensions that are available for free on any device that has speakers and an internet browser. All of below recommended Chrome extensions are free with at least basic necessities. 

Speech-to-Text (STT) allows users to speak into an external microphone or one built into their devices and have their spoken words converted to text on screen, using speech recognition technology. Speech recognition also allows users to navigate some programs through speech the same way they would by hand.

Many different users can benefit from STT and speech recognition, including those with learning disabilities, physical issues that make writing or using a mouse difficult, and anyone who wants a hands-free way of writing so that they can also complete other tasks. 

Many commonly used computer products and services already have STT/speech recognition functions built into them or offer compatible add-ons for free. Below are recommended STT options, free for use, with instructions for setup.

Additional programs offer “light” versions for free. The below programs do require the creation of a login:

  • Otter – Record and import audio for transcription, including live Zoom meetings. 600 minutes free per month with each conversation having a 40-minute duration limit.
  • Braina – Users can navigate the functions of their PC as well as the internet via STT through a free “Lite” version.

Alternate Formats

E-books, Audiobooks, and PDFs

Digital alternate formats of texts can assist students with a variety of needs to enhance their learning potential and can be accessed with your chosen electronic device. Additionally, the Ally tool in Canvas will produce alternative formats when a file is uploaded to the platform. To access PDF, HTML, Electronic Braille, audio, and other available versions, click the triangle at the end of the file name.

Below is information and resources that are available at no cost.

E-books (electronic books) have a variety of features including resizable fonts, brightness settings, searchable text, ease of delivery and storage, and interactive elements such as bookmarking, underlining, word definitions and notetaking.

Audio books share many of the same benefits as e-books for the reader, as well as the ability to listen to the text. Titles can be found specifically as audio books, but many e-books will feature a read-aloud function as well.

PDFs (Portable Document Formats) are documents that exist digitally the same as they would on paper. Books available in PDF format can be downloaded and saved to read at any time. They can also be printed out if a hard copy is needed as well. Additionally, when an audio version cannot be located, an accessible PDF copy can be used with Text-to-Speech software. Scans of parts of books may be requested from the College's library and, if available, will be emailed in PDF format.

The following web sites offer free access to or copies of e-books, audiobooks, and PDFs. Individuals may use these sites to search for specific titles or browse through general categories.

  • National Academies Press - 8,500 titles covering a wide range of topics in science, engineering, and medicine available to download for free in PDF format.
  • NCBI Bookshelf – Online access to biomedical, health and life sciences books and documents, some with PDFs available as well.
  • Online Programming Books – A large selection of e-books on programming, computer science, software engineering, web design, mobile app development, networking, databases, information technology, AI, graphics, and computer hardware.
  • Open Textbook Library - 875 textbooks offered to read online as well as in downloadable PDFs.

  • Barnes & Noble – Download the free NOOK Reading App to access e-book titles on a smartphone or tablet.
  • Digital Book – Audiobooks and e-books of mostly classic literature.
  • Free-Ebooks - With a free standard account, users can download up to five e-books a month in PDF format. Thousands of titles in such categories as textbooks, academic, fiction and nonfiction.
  • Google Books – Google Books provides a variety of different book resources alongside their purchasable options, including where library copies are available to check out and free PDFs of books in the public domain.
  • Internet Archive – A huge resource of over 20 million downloadable books and texts. Create a free account and choose from their collection of 2.3 million e-books which can be borrowed for one hour at a time or 14 days if available. Audio read-along feature included with e-books.
  • King County Library System (KCLS) – All currently enrolled Shoreline College students have access to the KCLS online library resources, which include e-books and audiobooks.