| Resource Information | Weblinks and Contact Details |
|---|---|
Disability Services If a student has a long term condition or diagnosed disability that has an impact on their ability to study, Disability Services can arrange academic support and adjustments through a Student Support Plan. | E: disabilityservices@york.ac.uk T: 01904 324785 |
University of York Acessibility Webpages These webpages aim to help provide information on and guide staff & students alike on all of the provisions and resources that are available at/through the University to increase accessibility and inclusion. | |
IT Software to support Accessibility The University has a range of IT software available to all students and staff at the University to help support accessibility. See the adjacent link for details of what is available and how to access it. | W: IT Software to support Accessibility. |
The Distractibles A monthly meetup of people who are neurodiverse or just battling distractions. Both staff and students are welcome. Last Friday of the month, 12.30pm to 1.30pm, online. | |
Spectrum Spectrum is a group for those of us who consider ourselves to be on the autistic spectrum. This is an open group, running every fortnight during term time. It's a safe place to meet new people and have fun. | W: Spectrum |
Partnership with RNIB Bookshare The University of York has partnered with RNIB bookshare to allow print disable learners access to their repository of over a million digital format books. If you are registered with Disability Services you can sign up for a University-based RNIB Bookshare account to access this digital library. Note: Due to copyright laws, only students registered with Disability Services can access this provision. This service is also open to staff as well. | For more information about this service: RNIB Bookshare For Information about what is provided through the University and how to sign up email the Psychology Department's Disability Champion: |
IT Software to Support Accessibility
The University has a number of IT-based initiatives and software to support accessibility, that’s available as standard to all staff and students. No diagnosis and/or student/HR support plan is needed to access these resources, they are available to everyone at the University. While these tools help make work and study at the University more accessibile for those with disabilities, these tools can also be useful in supporting anyone's work.
To help increase awareness of these resources, the below details the IT resources that are available with links to where more information can be found.
Resource Information | Further information & Links | How to obtain the resource/software |
|---|---|---|
MindGenius Provides a visual, mind-mapping method of planning and organising work. Useful for assignment planning, collating information and project management. | For more information visit: MindGenius IT Webpage For information and training on how to use MindGenius visit: | University Managed Computers: You can download this software through the Software Centre Personal Computers: Visit the following webpage to access the download link and licence codes - |
Keyboard Shortcuts For anyone who prefers or needs to use a keyboard rather than a mouse, this resource guides you through the various keyboard shortcuts to help make this easier when using Google Apps and Microsoft Office. | For the Keyboard shortcut resource visit: Keyboard Shortcut Information | |
Adobe Reader Provides a Read-Out-Loud function for PDF files. | To find this feature, make sure the PDF you want to be read is open in a separate Adobe Reader application and not within a web browser. Then head to the ‘View’ menu where you’ll find the ‘Read Out Loud’ function. | Adobe Reader is available on all University managed computers or you can download it for free using the following link: Download Adobe Reader |
Texthelp Includes multiple tools for helping to aid accessibility. The following webpage link introduces and explains all of the tools available through texthelp or see the sections below for a summary of the key tools: Texthelp Information Pages | ||
Texthelp Read&Write Gold This is a toolbar application which has the following uses across multiple applications (e.g. Microsoft, PDFs, web browsers, emails and more):
| For more information visit: Read&Write Gold IT Webpage The following Library practical guide page link provides information and ‘How tos’ for all of the Read&Write functions. You can also find a link to the monthly Texthelp Read&Write meetup group. | University Managed Computers: You can download this software through the Software Centre Personal Computers: Download the Read&Write Chrome Extension within your University of York Google account See also: Obtaining the Texthelp Software |
Texthelp OrbitNote PDF Reader This is a chrome extension of the Read&Write toolbar that allows for you to use many of the Read&Write features on PDFs opened within a chrome web browser. | For more information visit: OrbitNote IT Webpage The following Library practical guide page link provides information and ‘How tos’ for all of the OrbitNote PDF reader functions. | Download the OrbitNote Chrome Extension within your University of York Google account. |
EquatIO Allows you to create mathematical & scientific equations, formulas and more directly on your computer. It allows you to type, handwrite or dictate any expression and it will convert it into a digital format which you can easily add to microsoft or google documents. | For more information visit: EquatIO Webpage For clear and comprehensive guides on how to use EquatIO visit: EquatIO Information Xerte pages | |
Mathspace Is part of the EquatIO package and provides an online workspace that allows users to easily produce and share mathematics. | For more information see the Mathspace section on the following webpage: EquatIO Webpage For clear and comprehensive guides on how to use Mathspace visit: EquatIO Mathspace Information Xerte page | Access Mathspace through the following website and login using your University of York account. |
Further Help & Support:
- Accessibility Notes for IT Support: If you have any accessibility requirements or are using assistive technology, you can confidentially inform IT Services of this to help ensure they offer you appropriate support whenever you contact them for help. For example, if you are deaf, IT support will make sure to not try and contact you by phone if you contact them for help Any information you provide is not shared beyond this system.
- University IT Accessibility Web Pages: where you can find more information about the above and more.
- Contact Alice Bennett for a confidential chat about any IT Accessibility Needs: Alice is the University lead on IT Accessibility and she is very happy to arrange a chat with anyone about accessibility options. You do not need to have a formal diagnosis of a disability and/or a Student Support Plan to chat with Alice and she will only share anything you discuss with the department if you want her to. Just send Alice an email to arrange a meeting: alice.bennett@york.ac.uk