Free software supports your access to learning
You can access free Assistive Technologies to help with the impact of a health condition, and/or carer role, on study tasks.
Overview
Assistive Technologies, also known as AT, can make studying easier. They can assist with:
- reading,
- writing, and
- organising your notes.
AT can help all students, but especially those with barriers to:
- Reading and writing due to Specific Learning Disability and Dyslexia
- Concentration due to ADHD or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Auditory processing
- Shaping ideas into writing
- Writing and/or typing due to Dyspraxia, limited hand function, physical fatigue, back pain or other reasons
Students could apply AT to their studies by:
- Changing the background colour and font for ease of screen reading
- Using 'text-to-speech' software to read out loud
- Downloading ideas onto the page using 'speech-to-text' software
- Organising videos, links and notes into one central place
Available AT Supports
A range of freely available AT for Macquarie students are described below. These AT have been trialled by the Accessibility service, and endorsed through student feedback.
Getting Started
Microsoft Office Suite is free for Macquarie University Students. For help with installation contact the Macquarie IT Service Desk.
Explore the Assistive Technologies that interest you:
- AT for Reading [PDF 269 KB]
- AT for Writing [PDF 232 KB]
- AT for Organising your Notes [PDF 227 KB]
- File format conversion service to convert your documents into an etext accessible format
If you would like to learn more about AT for reading, writing and organising your notes then please go to the Wellbeing Skillshops webpage for updates on the new Student Wellbeing ‘Thrive Hub’ Activations for Assistive Technology to be held at 18 Wallys Walk.
If you are a student with more complex AT requirements due to the impact of your health condition, such as low vision or low hearing, then we encourage you to register with the Accessibility Service.