Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is an item, piece of equipment, or product that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of an individual with a disability.

It is a goal of the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) to provide assistive technology tools in support of student accessibility and success.

Built on the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Kurzweil 3000 is our primary assistive technology tool (for print and digital content). This technology provides multi-sensory access to textbooks, class curriculum, and OAR Test Proctoring Services.

access a free Kurzweil 3000 Account

If you have any questions or issues setting up your account please contact our office at accessibility@wcu.edu. 

Kurzweil 3000 personalizes individual learning by allowing students to access content and build their note taking and literacy skills. With speech-to-text and text-to-speech resources, reading speed and accuracy can increase and test results can improve.

Kurzweil 3000 also provides the option to access content above the student’s proficiency level if the student wants to build their literacy skills even further.

Kurzweil 3000 can:

• Differentiate instruction with digital tools
• Save content to class or student folders (no file storage limit)
• Guide learners throughout the full learning process
• Inform instructional decisions with centralized reporting

Students can access Kurzweil 3000 from any device or computer with internet access.

Assistive Technology

Microsoft - Personalize your Windows Computer with built-in accessibility features to support ease with vision, hearing, learning, neurodiversity, and mobility interactions with your computer. Learn how to set up a device  and how to get Office 365 at WCU.  

Mac/Apple - Personalize your Mac Computer with any of the built-in accessibility features to support vision, hearing, mobility, learning and other interactions with your computer.