What are assistive technologies?
Assistive technologies are tools that help students with disabilities to fully participate in their studies and campus life at University of Limerick.
These technologies are designed to overcome barriers and make learning more accessible for everyone.
Students may use a variety of assistive technologies depending on their individual needs:
![A person's hands are typing on the keyboard of a laptop](/sites/default/files/styles/width_of_content_area/public/2023-03/Laptop.png.webp?itok=PccFG-zd)
Screen readers
For students who are blind or have low vision, screen readers like JAWS or NVDA convert text on a screen into speech, making digital content accessible.
Text-to-speech software
Tools like Read&Write or Kurzweil read out written text, which can help students with dyslexia or other reading difficulties to better understand course material.
Speech-to-text software
Programs like Dragon NaturallySpeaking convert spoken words into text. This can assist students with mobility impairments or those who find writing by hand or typing difficult.
Mind mapping tools
Software like MindMeister or Inspiration can support students with learning disabilities to organize their thoughts, plan assignments, and structure essays.
Note-taking aids
Tools like Sonocent Audio Notetaker allow students to capture and organise lecture notes more effectively, which is useful for students who struggle with traditional note-taking.
These technologies can be installed on personal devices or accessed through the university’s computers and resources.
The goal is to ensure all students have equal opportunities to succeed in their education by removing obstacles and supporting different ways of learning.
Using assistive technologies
If you require assistive technologies for access or just for general use, please email the Educational Assistive Technology Centre
In addition to the assistive technologies and accessibility features available across the Microsoft 365 suite, the University has site licences for a range of software including:
- MindGenius – Professional Mind Mapping Solution
- Inspiration 10 – Mind Mapping Solution (Works on Windows 11)
- ClaroRead – Literacy software which including Text to Speech
- Grammarly (Limited Access - Students with Disabilities only)
- CaptionEd Captioning Services (Limited Access - Students with Disabilities only)
- Glean Note-Taking Solution (Limited Access - Students with Disabilities only)
- Read & Write Gold (UL-owned machines only)
For access to these solutions, please email the Educational Assistive Technology Centre
There are a range of assistive technologies and accessibility features available across many of the common operating systems.
Android accessibility options vary.