Adaptive Technology Lab
Technical Assistance
Lab Coordinator: Seham Mohamed
Phone: 732-906-3676
Email: smohamed@middlesexcc.edu
The Adaptive Technology lab is staffed by a full time Lab Coordinator who assists students in learning how to use the specialized equipment. The lab is available to all students with disabilities at Middlesex County College who have self-identified to the Counselor for Students with Disabilities.
Please click on the appropriate link below:
The Adaptive Technology Lab is located in Johnson Learning Center (JLC) room 243. The professional Lab Coordinator, Seham Mohamed, is available on site to assist students in learning how to use all the equipment.
Lab Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:30 am–4:00 pm
Phone: 732-906-3676
For students enrolled in evening classes, both Kurweil 3000 and JAWS systems are located at the Middlesex County College Library in the Reference Room. Students can also access the internet at the library.
View Library hours and availability →
The Lab is located in Johnson Learning Center room 243. The lab is open Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 am–4:00 pm.
The following is a general overview of some of the equipment and software available in the lab. Students need no prior knowledge in order to use the lab; Seham Mohamed is the professional lab technician who is on the site to help students learn how to use all the equipment.
- Dragon Naturally Speaking
- Franklin Speller
- Jaws
- Kurzweil 3000
- Read&Write
- Learning Ally
- Write Out Loud
- WYNN Wizard
- ZoomText
Dragon Naturally Speaking
Dragon Naturally Speaking is a speech recognition dictation program. It uses the power of speech to create, format and edit documents. The greatest advantage of this software is that you can dictate documents instead of typing them.
With Dragon Naturally Speaking you speak at a normal pace, and what you say appears as text in the Dragon Naturally Speaking document window or another application. You use simple voice commands to revise text, move around your document, and control your computer. This program is quite useful; however, it does require patience, since the program must get used to your voice.
Learn more about Dragon Naturally Speaking
Franklin Speller
The Franklin Speller is a portable spelling helper that fits in the palm of your hand. This hand held computerized dictionary simplifies definitions, and has exciting learning games and a cursive handwriting tutor. It is a perfect resource tool for any student who struggles with spelling or vocabulary.
Learn more about Franklin Speller
JAWS (Job Access With Speech)
JAWS is screen reader software for Windows. It works in conjunction with a Speech Synthesizer. It is a software program that tells the user what is on the screen, including menus, text and punctuation. It vocalizes every keystroke.
JAWS can be used to:
- Make a computer accessible to someone with limited or no vision.
- Provide auditory prompts, menus, and commands.
- Provide confirmation of keystrokes without looking at the screen.
- Provide access to printed materials and manuals after they have been scanned into a computer.
Kurzweil 3000
The Kurzweil 3000 is a reading program. Many students have found that is a great tool for dealing with reading difficulties.
The Kurzweil 3000 allows you to scan your work (textbooks, papers, etc) onto the computer screen and listen to it as an animated voice reads it aloud. In addition, Kurzweil 3000 provides help with study skills and editing. The system’s rich feature set can assist you with reading, reading comprehension, vocabulary development, organization of information, writing, spelling, self-editing, and study skills.
Learn more about Kurzweil 3000
Read&Write
Read&Write works with any Windows text-based application. It can be used with word processors, spreadsheets, databases, email and the Internet.
Read&Write is simple to use. When you open it, The Read&Write toolbar appears on top of any open application, waiting for your commands.
Learning Ally
Learning Ally is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization that provides access to educational, professional and technical material at virtually no charge to visually, physically and learning disabled individuals.
This material enables students to achieve educational and professional success promoting independence, increasing productivity and enhancing their self-esteem and quality of life.
Learning Ally has established the Books On Tape Program to meet the growing demand of schools and institutions who benefit from their services. You can borrow books based on what classes you are taking. You may select one or a combination of books.
Write Out Loud
The Write Out Loud program is a talking word processor that offers many of the same advantages as Read&Write.
Writing can be frustrating due to difficulties with spelling, vocabulary, organization, mechanics, and even confidence. You can help yourself overcome these difficulties with Write Out Loud, a program that supports the writing process by reading text out loud as you write. You can revise and edit with greater ease because you get consistent and immediate auditory feedback that helps you monitor your progress.
Visit learningtools.donjohnston.com/product/ to learn more
WYNN Wizard
WYNN is another reading program. It lets you open a document file and hear it read out loud. Or, you can scan a page, and hear the page read out loud. Once you open a file, WYNN lets you alter the way the file looks on the screen as well as the way WYNN reads it to you. Best of all, you can even edit documents and scanned-in pages.
WYNN can also be used as a writing program. You can create a document from scratch with WYNN. Using WYNN’s edit mode, write and revise your document, then correct typing errors using WYNN’sspell checker. When you’re done, proofread the document by having WYNN read it aloud to you.
Download WYNN from Freedom Scientific’s website
ZoomText
ZoomText is a screen magnification program to assist with the needs of the visually impaired. It offers many advanced features that give you more power and control.
With ZoomText you can:
- Magnify your whole screen, a single line, or a sizeable portion of the display.
- Magnify text from 2 times to 16 times the normal screen size.
- Magnify graphics in 2x, 4x, 6x and 8x.
- Select from three smooth fonts for your normal screen and zoom window.
- Track on your cursor, mouse or menu bar movement in your application program.
- Wrap continuous lines of text within the zoom window.