Assistive Technology

Some of our assistive technology is limited to students who have active academic accommodation plans with our service. In these cases, access to these tools must be include in your accommodation plan. 

Computer Lab

McLennan Library, room M1-21G.  Located on the main floor, just behind the elevators. 

Questions about the computer lab or available software? Contact a Student Accessibility and Achievement advisor, or email access.technology [at] mcgill.ca.

Assistive Software

The following software is available in our computer lab:

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Zoomtext and MAGIC & Bigshot Screen magnifiers
• JAWS Screen Reader
• Open Book Scanning & Reading
• WYNN Scanning and Reading
• Kurzweil Scanning and Reading
• Inspiration
• IBM Home Page Reader
• Co:Writer
• TextHelp Scanning and Reading
• Duxbury Braille Translator
• PDF Converter

Printers

Printers are available in our computer lab - for academic purposes only.  You must supply your own paper. 

Assistive Equipment

The following equipment is available:

• CCTV- print enlargers
• Scanners
• 19 and 21 inch computer monitors
• tactile image enhancer
• adapted key boards
• 4-track tape recorders
• FM wireless voice amplification systems

To use our equipment, students with active academic accommodation plans with Student Accessibility and Achievement should contact us as early as possible to make arrangements.  Students must sign an equipment loan agreement and return the equipment at the end of semester.  

Scanning

Scanners are available in our computer lab on a first come, first served basis. With the help of our staff, you can use these for digitizing texts.  

Have a lot to scan? Contact access.technology [at] mcgill.ca in advance; we may be able to help with large scanning jobs.  

Do you receive governmenting funding for this service? You may be able to hire a support worker to help you with scanning.

Photocopying

A photocopier is available for those with both academic and disability related needs (for example, if your accommodation plan includes making copies of class notes or enlarging text). Our staff can assist you.

Alternate Format Texts

If your accommodation plan includes access to alternate format materials, you can make your request through ClockWork's Alternate Format Request module.

We offer a variety of adaptive technological solutions for those who have disability-related difficulties accessing print materials, including:

• Digital text: We help you obtain digital textbooks or course packs for reading with computer software. We can also assist you with creating digital texts using our scanners.
• Braille: We help you to locate Braille materials and we also have a braille embosser and tactile image enhancer on site.
• Text enlargement: We help you to locate large print texts. You can use our CCTVs to read enlarged print or, when applicable, large print can be produced on our photocopier. All Student Accessibility and Achievement computers are equipped with screen magnification software.
• Text-to-speech computer software: All our computers are equipped with screen reading software that reads digital text.
• Audio recording of lectures: We can help you locate on-line audio recordings of McGill lectures.
• Recorded books: We help you access what you need from libraries of audiobooks.
• Adapted exams: An exam can be read onto audiotape, scanned for use with assistive technology, brailled or enlarged.

To qualify for alternate format materials, students must be registered with Student Accessibility and Achievement and have a documented print-related disability.