A variety of both high- and low-tech solutions for accessing a computer, printed material, and viewing a blackboard or other classroom materials are considered for each student. Solutions considered may include: low vision magnifiers or software, speech output, scanners, Braille printers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), educational apps and other related technology.

Assessments are conducted by our Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT) at the Carroll Center or at the work site. Our CLVTs focus their time with clients on evaluating the effectiveness of low vision devices, techniques and technologies in supporting their personal needs, while also looking at their visual efficiency and trying a variety of devices. In the clinical setting at the Carroll Center, we are able to evaluate and demonstrate a multitude of devices and technologies we have on hand. When clients are interested in a specific device that is not regularly kept in the clinic, we are often able to borrow specific devices for trial during the assessment.

To schedule an assessment, please call us at (617) 969-6200 ext. 215 or email info@carroll.org.

Assistive Technology Office Hours are available to current college students who use JAWS, NVDA, Windows Narrator, Fusion, ZoomText, or Windows Magnifier on their Windows PC. Support is also available for students who use VoiceOver on the Mac. Assistance in the use of mobile devices will also be provided to iOS VoiceOver and/or Zoom users or Android TalkBack users. Support is available in the use of specific braille notetakers including the BrailleNote Apex, BrailleNote Touch, BrailleNote Touch Plus, and Braille Sense U2. Questions related to using braille displays including the Orbit Reader, Refreshabraille, and Brailliant devices with iOS devices can also be addressed.

College students are required to be savvy in the use of their assistive technology in combination with mainstream desktop and mobile applications, all while keeping up with their coursework. Today, many more students are engaged in remote learning and college course content is posted to online learning platforms. Students may encounter difficulties related to using their assistive technology to work on projects, complete coursework, and access content posted to online learning platforms.

While some colleges and universities may be able to provide limited ongoing assistive technology support to students who are blind or visually impaired, other schools do not have these internal resources. The purpose of the Assistive Technology Office Hours is to fill in this gap in available support to college students who are blind or visually impaired as they work toward earning their degree.

Assistive Technology Office Hours will be billed hourly, as needed. These support hours are not intended to replace typical assistive technology training. Rather, the Assistive Technology Office Hours are intended to provide students with ongoing supplemental support as needed and an opportunity to ask specific questions relative to using assistive technology to complete their coursework.

Topics Addressed

Students will be able to ask questions related to:

• Accessing content from online learning management platforms such as Blackboard, Moodle, Canvas, or others. Utilizing features of these platforms such as discussion boards, mail, and assignment submission.
• General questions about navigating the Windows, Mac OS, iOS, or Android environments using a screen reader or screen magnification.
• Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
• Mac Pages, Keynote, Numbers, and Mail.
• Google Drive, Docs, Slides, and Sheets.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader for accessing PDF files.
• Navigating specific webpages.
• Using book reading apps.

Communication

• Communication between Carroll Center trainers and students can be via phone or Zoom.
• Trainers may provide specific answers or resources, as appropriate.
• If questions are too broad, such as, “How do I use PowerPoint?” then trainers may recommend assistive technology training in that area instead of office hours support.
• Use of Assistive Technology Office Hours may include time to research topics.
• If course content, such as PDF files, are determined to be inaccessible, trainers will discuss workarounds where possible. Additionally, students will be encouraged to follow up with the university’s Disability Services, in these instances, so that students can request that inaccessible material be converted to a usable format.
• Technical support and installation/removal of most programs will not be addressed during these support hours.
• Office hours are generally available Monday-Friday.
• Purchase orders or credit cards will be charged monthly for time rendered.

For questions or to request office hours, please contact Tina Laffer, Director of Community Engagement and Outreach by phone at (617) 969-6200, extension 216 or by email at tina.laffer@carroll.org.