Adaptive Technology
On this page:
Specialized Computer Hardware & Software
Text-to-Speech Features in Online Library Resources
Closed-Captioning & Transcripts in Library Film Collections
Other Services that Might Interest You
Specialized Computer Hardware & Software
The Adaptive Technology Area provides tools for students with special needs, including impaired vision or learning disabilities. This equipment is located at the far end of the 1st floor computer area, closest to the Administration Offices.
These tools include:
- Computer with a large-screen (24-inch) monitor
- ZoomText screen magnifier software
- JAWS screen-reading software
- 1 CCTV video magnifier for enlarged viewing of print materials on a computer monitor (Optetec ClearView 700)
Adaptive technologies are also available at other locations at SHSU.
Text-to-Speech Features in Online Library Resources
Several of the Library's electronic resources provide text-to-speech capabilities.
Many times, the audio reading of an article can be downloaded as an MP3 file.
Who can benefit from these features?
- searchers with dyslexia or other learning challenges;
- searchers with low vision, blindness, or other physical disabilities;
- searchers who are learning English;
- busy searchers who would like to listen to research material at the gym, in the car, or elsewhere;
- any other searchers who might like to hear as well as read an article.
Which databases offer these features?
Closed-Captioning & Transcripts in Library Film Collections
View our guide on how to search for films with closed-captions or transcripts
Films on Demand
Closed-Captioning is provided for some (though not all) of these educational videos. Advanced Search allows you to search only for closed-captioned films. To access closed-captioning: select a film, roll the mouse over the video player, and click the "CC" button at the top right corner to toggle closed-captioning on or off.
Interactive Text Transcripts are included for select films. View the entire transcript of the film's audio, watch highlighting to keep pace with the audio, and click a specific section of the transcript to jump to that point in the video. Read more about these interactive transcripts.
Academic Video Online
Transcripts: Academic Video Online provides interactive text transcripts. View the entire transcript of the film's audio, see where the audio is at any given moment, and click any point in the transcript to skip to a specific part of the film.
NBC Learn Higher Ed and NBC Learn K-12
All videos in NBC Learn are closed-captioned and include text transcripts. To view captions: Start a video, roll the mouse over the video player, and click the "CC" button towards the lower right corner to toggle closed-captioning on or off. To view transcript: Click the "Transcript" tab along the top right edge of the video player.
Other Services that Might Interest You
Talking Books for Texans (Texas State Library & Archives Commission)
Talking Books for Texans is a free program is available to Texans with visual, physical, or reading disabilities. They loan large-print books, Braille books, and audiobooks by mail. Certain books and magazines in Braille and audio formats are also available by digital download through the BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) program.
Find details and an application at the program's website, call them toll-free at 1-800-252-9605, or ask for assistance at the SHSU Library Service Desk.