Accessibility Technology at SUU

• Real-Time Transcription: Otter listens and transcribes lectures, discussions, and meetings as they happen, providing instant access to written content. This immediate transcription ensures that students don't miss crucial information and can fully engage with the material.
• High Accuracy and Customizability: The AI technology behind Otter is designed for high accuracy, even in noisy environments or with multiple speakers. Students can train the AI to recognize specific voices and terminology, improving the transcription's precision over time.
• Searchable Transcripts: Every word Otter transcribes becomes searchable text. This powerful feature allows students to quickly find topics, keywords, or phrases within their notes, streamlining study sessions and research.
• Integrated Note-Taking Tools: Beyond transcription, Otter offers built-in tools for note-taking, including the ability to highlight, add comments, and organize notes into folders. These features enable students to tailor their study materials in ways that best suit their learning styles.
• Built-in Chat Assistant: One of Otter's newest features provides a built-in chat assistant that can answer questions about saved conversations, including both past transcriptions and active recordings. This makes accessing content and finding specific information even easier.

Empowering Diverse Learners: By providing an alternative way to capture and interact with lecture material, Otter supports students with diverse learning needs, including those with disabilities that make traditional note-taking challenging.

Enhancing Study Efficiency: With searchable transcripts and organized notes, students can streamline their study processes, leading to better preparation, higher retention rates, and improved academic outcomes.

Fostering Independence and Confidence: Otter empowers students to take control of their learning experiences. By removing barriers to information capture and access, students gain confidence in their ability to succeed academically.

Encouraging Active Learning and Participation: Without the pressure of capturing every word, students can engage more actively in lectures and discussions, contributing to a richer educational experience.

We've made accessing Otter straightforward for students. Eligible students can sign up through SUU's Disability Services website, ensuring they have the tools they need from day one. Our dedicated team is always ready to assist with setup, training, and any questions that arise. If you would like to learn more about Otter, please visit the Otter.ai website at https://www.otter.ai/ 

Or

Check out some of our custom made Otter handbooks. Our team and students have collaborated to create a series of guides that can make the set up and effective use of Otter easier.

Bi-Tapp is a tool designed to alleviate stress and anxiety through the method of bilateral stimulation. This technique engages both hemispheres of the brain by delivering gentle, rhythmic taps via lightweight wristbands to the user's body, promoting enhanced brain communication. The result is a calmer and more focused state of mind, essential for academic success and personal well-being.

• Portable and User-Friendly: Bi-Tapp wristbands are portable, making them easy for students to use anywhere, from the library to the dorm room. The user-friendly design ensures that anyone can benefit from its calming effects with no complicated setup.
• Customizable Settings: With the accompanying mobile app, users can personalize their Bi-Tapp experience. This includes adjusting the intensity of the taps and their speed, tailoring the device to the user's comfort and needs.
• Silent Operation: Designed to be discreet, Bi-Tapp operates silently, ensuring that users can enjoy the calming effects without drawing attention or disturbing those around them.

Bi-Tapp is backed by research into the effectiveness of bilateral stimulation on stress and anxiety reduction. Studies have shown that activating both sides of the brain through such stimulation can significantly calm the body's fight or flight response. For students, this means:

• Reduced Anxiety and Stress: By calming the nervous system, students can approach their studies and exams with a clearer mind, reducing feelings of overwhelm and panic.
• Enhanced Focus and Concentration: A calmer state of mind naturally leads to improved concentration levels, enabling better study sessions and academic performance.
• Improved Emotional Regulation: Regular use of Bi-Tapp can help students manage their emotional responses more effectively, promoting a balanced and healthy emotional state.

We believe Bi-Tapp provides a range of benefits for individuals with disabilities, offering a valuable resource to support our students' academic journey and overall well-being. We have made it easy for our students to check out a Bi-Tapp for use during exams or for variable periods dependent on the student's symptoms. Please reach out to your DRC Case Manager for more information if you feel that you would benefit from Bi-Tapp.

For more information and set up guides, please visit the Bi-tapp official website

• VoiceOver - Aiding Visual Accessibility: VoiceOver offers a comprehensive solution for visually impaired students taking exams. This feature provides audible descriptions of on-screen elements, enabling students to navigate exam materials independently and efficiently.
• Hearing Innovations for Clarity: With features like Made for iPhone hearing devices, students with hearing impairments can connect their aids directly to our Apple devices. Sound Recognition further enhances the testing environment by alerting students to important announcements or sounds, ensuring they remain fully informed throughout their exam.
• AssistiveTouch - Customized Control: AssistiveTouch supports students with motor skills challenges by adapting device interaction to their needs. This allows for a more comfortable and accessible exam-taking experience, minimizing physical strain and maximizing focus on exam content.
• Voice Control - Commanding Access: Voice Control enables students to operate their devices hands-free—a crucial feature for those with physical limitations. Whether navigating through exam questions or dictating answers, Voice Control ensures a seamless, accessible testing process.
• Spoken Content - Enhancing Comprehension: For auditory learners or students with reading difficulties, Spoken Content reads exam questions and instructions out loud. This auditory support can greatly assist in comprehension and retention of exam materials.

• iMac - A Desktop Solution for Complex Exams: The iMac is available for students who require a large, clear display and robust processing power, particularly useful for complex visual tasks or design-based exams. Its accessibility features ensure that visual and auditory accommodations are seamlessly integrated.
• iPad Pro - Flexible and Portable Exam Assistance: The iPad Pro is ideal for exams that require portability and flexibility. Its range of accessibility features, combined with the ease of drawing, makes it a versatile choice for various accommodation needs.
• MacBook Air - The Lightweight Companion: For written exams or those requiring extensive typing, the MacBook Air provides a lightweight yet powerful solution. Equipped with full accessibility features, it ensures that students can comfortably complete their exams, regardless of physical or sensory challenges.

Outside of specialized computers and software, another particularly useful device students will find are the white noise machines in each of our private exam rooms. White noise machines produce a consistent sound that can help mask a range of external noises — from the footsteps in the hallway to the distant chatter of campus life.

The benefits of white noise are universal, but they can be particularly significant for students with certain disabilities. For individuals with ADHD, for example, white noise can help minimize the distraction of irregular sounds, supporting sustained attention and working memory. Students with anxiety disorders may find the soothing sounds calming, reducing exam-related stress and enabling them to focus more effectively on the task at hand. Furthermore, for those who are neurodiverse, including individuals on the autism spectrum, the predictability of white noise can create a comforting sense of stability and safety.

The inclusion of assistive technology into our exam rooms focuses on acknowledging and supporting the diverse needs of our student body. By providing an environment that can be customized to individual preferences, we empower our students to take control of their exam experience. This empowerment can lead to increased self-confidence, reduced test anxiety, and ultimately, improved academic performance.

• Versatility: JAWS is compatible with a wide range of applications, making it an invaluable tool for academic success.
• Advanced Navigation: With its array of navigation options, including text-to-speech and Braille output, JAWS enables students to efficiently interact with digital content.
• Customization: Each user can customize the software to meet their unique needs, ensuring a more personalized and effective learning experience.

NVDA is a free, open-source screen reader that offers similar functionalities to JAWS. It supports a wide range of languages and braille displays, making it a versatile choice for students.

Windows Narrator is a screen-reading app built into Windows 10 and 11, providing immediate access to text-to-speech technology without the need for additional software installation. It's a great starting point for those new to screen readers.

Our center is equipped with computers that have these screen reader technologies installed, ready for student use. This setup is particularly beneficial for exam accommodations, offering students the support they need to perform their best. By integrating JAWS, NVDA, and Windows Narrator into our resources, we ensure that every student has the opportunity to access information and complete their work efficiently and independently.