Guided Video Tutorials

Navigating assistive technology can be overwhelming, but our guided video tutorials are here to help. These tutorials provide step-by-step demonstrations of key assistive software available through the Fred Smithers Centre, showing what each tool does, how it can support your learning, and how to use it effectively. Whether you need text-to-speech for reading, speech-to-text for writing, or tools to enhance focus and organization, these videos will walk you through the features and benefits of each program. Some of these tools are also available on Brightspace under Student Resources > Accessibility Tools, providing additional access and flexibility. Explore the guides to find the right technology for your needs and maximize your academic success.

MS Word Accessibility

This video demonstrates key Microsoft Word accessibility features, including Dictation and Immersive Reader. Learn how these tools can support students by enabling speech-to-text for writing and text-to-speech for reading, with customizable options to enhance focus and comprehension. Follow along to discover how Microsoft Word can improve accessibility and productivity for your studies.

Read & Write

This video provides a walkthrough of Read&Write, an assistive technology that supports students with reading, writing, and studying. Learn how to use text-to-speech, speech-to-text, word prediction, and other key features to enhance accessibility and productivity. Follow along to discover how Read&Write can help streamline your academic work.

Glean Demo

This video provides a step-by-step guide to using Glean, an assistive technology designed to support students with note-taking. Learn how Glean records lectures, generates transcripts, syncs with slides, and allows students to take and organize notes efficiently. Follow along to discover how Glean can enhance independent learning and improve study strategies.

Dragon

This video provides a guided introduction to Dragon, a speech-to-text assistive technology that allows students to dictate, edit, and navigate documents and web pages hands-free. Learn how to use voice commands for note-taking, text formatting, web searches, and more. Explore how Dragon can support students who benefit from an alternative to typing and traditional input methods.

Kurzweil

This video provides a step-by-step guide to using Kurzweil 3000, a powerful assistive technology for reading, writing, and note-taking. Learn how to have documents read aloud, make text or audio notes, brainstorm essay ideas, and even scan printed materials for accessibility. Explore how Kurzweil 3000 can support your learning and organization.