Free software supports your access to learning

Access free Assistive Technologies to help with the impact of a health condition, and/or carer role, on study tasks.

Assistive Technologies, also known as AT, include any device, instrument, tool or software that helps functioning and independence. AT can assist students with the functional impacts of a range of health conditions and circumstances including:

  • Reading and writing difficulties due to Specific Learning Disability and Dyslexia
  • Conditions that reduce concentration such as ADHD or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Auditory processing difficulties
  • Writing and/or typing difficulties due to physical and/or coordination conditions such as dyspraxia, limited hand function, physical fatigue and back pain

If you would like to learn more about AT for note-taking, reading, and writing then you can register for the Accessibility Insight Skillshop.

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 you can register with the Accessibility Service.

Available AT Supports

A range of AT is available for free to Macquarie students, listed below. These AT have been trialled by the Accessibility service, and endorsed by students taking part in the Student Wellbeing Skillshops program.

Click on the sub-heading below to be taken to the section that most interests you:

Getting Started

Macquarie University students can access the Microsoft Office Suite free via Microsoft for Students. Microsoft Office has a range of Accessibility features described below. Installation information is available on the Macquarie IT webpage under Microsoft for Students.

Note-Taking Assistive Technologies

Do you find it challenging to engage with your lectures and tutorials, and take notes at the same time? Consider the following note-taking software and AT options.

Students can download Echo360 lecture transcripts through Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR). As the transcript is automatically generated (not checked by a person), accuracy can vary from 75%-90%, so you will need to check the transcript against the lecture for accuracy.

You can follow the transcript whilst listening and watching the lecture, then download it or cut and paste the text into your preferred word processing document, eg Word or OneNote.

You can also search the transcript for specific words/terminology then play that section of the lecture to review a particular content area.

  • Available on any device that can access the Echo360 platform
  • Go to the Echo360 webpage and scroll to the Echo360 Automatic Transcripts.
  • Inform your Unit Convenor if there are no transcripts available

Otter.ai is a freely available browser software that records real time spoken content with 75%-90% accuracy.

You can generate automatic transcripts for live or recorded tutorials and lectures by opening Otter in a separate tab. You can then copy and paste your transcript into your preferred word processing document to format and make corrections.

For the Echo360 ASR, you will need to check the transcript against the lecture or tutorial for accuracy. For live tutorials, you will need to note down key words or discipline specific words that Otter might not pick up, and integrate those into your notes from your transcript.

Live transcribe can transcribe conversations live and provides the ability to respond in text within the app. It allows easier access to meetings, conversations and interactions in everyday life.

OneNote is a multi-modal digital notebook that allows you to type, write and draw. You can import a range of different files including PDFs, emails, slides, and photos, as well as software for drawing graphs and solving maths questions.

OneNote can be a useful tool to assist with collating your course material including lecture notes, readings and research. Notes are searchable and shareable.

To learn more about note-taking skills explore the Writing Centre recorded workshops.

Reading Assistive Technologies – On-Screen Reading

Do you have difficulty reading text on a screen for short or long periods of time? Consider the following AT suggestions.

Some fonts can be easier to read than others. Try changing the font to:

Glare can impact on sustained reading. Reduce your glare by:

  • Closing blinds or curtains
  • Using a glare filter
  • Reducing brightness on the computer
  • Change the background colour with some of the on-screen reading assistive technologies below

Change font and background colours to personalise your on-screen reading experience:

Reading Assistive Technologies – Text-to-Speech

Do you have difficulty reading or processing written material? For some students being able to listen to their articles being read aloud makes it easier to process. This could be done by listening only, or by listening and following the text. Below are some free text-to-speech options for all Macquarie students.

Microsoft 365 provides a range of text-to-speech tools on Windows, macOS, and Android including: Immersive Reader, Read Aloud, Speak and Narrator. To download your free Microsoft 365 go to Install Microsoft for Students.

Immersive Reader allows you to modify font options, letter and line spacing, line focus, read aloud, speaking pace, and vocal gender and accent. Internet access is required.  It is recommended to use the Edge browser for optimal features, however you can also use the Chrome extension to use Word, OneNote, Outlook and Powerpoint in your browser. For more information explore the Microsoft Learning Tools, and the Microsoft 365 video tutorials.

Read Aloud reads all or part of your word documents without the Immersive Reader additional features. Available in Windows, MacOS, iOS, iPadOS and Android. For more information go to Listen with Read Aloud.

Speak reads only the text you've selected. Available in Windows only. For more information go to Using the Speak text-to-speech feature.

Narrator reads your dialog boxes, buttons, and other user interfaces as well as the text. Available in Windows only. For more information go to Using Windows Narrator in Office for the web.

VoiceOver allows Apple users to access a text-to-speech

Available in MacOS, iOS, iPadOS

Step by step guides:

For further assistance, book an appointment with the Apple Genius Bar.

Writing Assistive Technologies - Speech-to-Text

Do you have difficulty writing or typing for long periods of time, or are you someone that finds it easier to explain your ideas verbally rather than in the written form? For some students, talking to a device that types for them is a more efficient and effective way to study. Depending on your needs you can use speech-to-text to:

  • take down notes, such as from your assignment research
  • brainstorm ideas onto the page, or
  • to work on longer and more complex writing tasks

Below are some speech-to-text options that are free for all Macquarie students.

The Microsoft speech-to-text feature is known as Microsoft Dictation. It allows you to use your voice to create documents, emails, notes, and presentations, within the Office 365 online suite of apps. For an overview of all features go to Dictate in Microsoft 365.

Step-by-step guides:

To download Microsoft 365 go to Install Microsoft for Students.

The Apple speech-to-text feature is known as Dictation.

Available on macOS, iOS, iPadOS

For more information:

Book an appointment with the Apple Genius Bar.

Available for Google Docs and Slides only within the Chrome browser

For more information, go to Google Docs Editor Type with your Voice.

Further AT Support

If you would like more detailed guides and support for engaging with AT for note-taking, reading, and writing then you can register for the Accessibility Insight Skillshop.

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 you can register with the Accessibility Service.