Assistive technology software and tools help ensure equal access to information for the entire MIT community. Contact DAS if you need a demonstration of any of the listed technologies.
Operating Systems: Built-in Accessibility Tools
Learn what built-in accessibility options are available based on your computer’s operating system.
Document Conversion Tools
Kurzweil 3000
Kurzweil 3000 is text-to-speech software that has text scanning and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities, allowing users to scan printed pages or image files and convert them to text. The software provides audio accompaniment to text along with highlighting, annotation, dictionary, and mind mapping capabilities.
Kurzweil 3000 is compatible with Mac and Windows and available to MIT students and staff for free on the IS&T software grid.
SensusAccess
SensusAccess is a self-service document conversion tool available to all MIT students, staff, and faculty. MIT community members can use the tool to convert preexisting documents into accessible formats, create audio files, and convert static documents to editable text, among other things.
The SensusAccess E-Learning Course is a 9-unit online tutorial in how to use the SensusAccess tool. Please choose the units that are relevant to your needs.
SensusAccess FAQ
Users can upload files to a web form for conversion. Submission of the file sends the document to SensusAccess for remediation. The converted file is then returned to the user via their MIT email address.
SensusAccess’ supported file types are: .DOC, .DOCX, .PDF, .PPT, .PPTX, .TXT, .XML, .HTML, .HTM, .RTF, .EPUB, .MOBI, .TIFF, .TIF, .GIF, .JPG, .JPEG, .BMP, .PNG, .PCX, .DCX, .J2K, .JP2, .JPX, .DJV, and .ASC
Users may choose from a range of formats including tagged PDF, DOC, DOCX, Word XML, XLS, XLSX, CVS, text, RTF and HTML. SensusAccess can also produce audio files in MP3 and DAISY, EPUB and EPUB3 e-books, and digital Braille.
MIT students, staff, and faculty can submit as many files as they like for conversion.
No, Sensus Access is a third party company. When you use the service, you will leave the MIT website and be redirected to a third party website. All processing is conducted by the third party service externally to MIT. Before using the service for any confidential or private documents, we encourage users to consult the SensusAccess privacy notice (https://www.sensusaccess.com/privacy-fair-processing-notice).
For more information and troubleshooting help, please consult the Sensus Access Question and Answer page.
Math Software
MathML is the standard markup language for mathematics on the web. Math-based tools include:
- MathType Equation Editor allows math to be entered into Word in a format that is easily converted to accessible formats (large print and audio).
- Infty Reader recognizes and converts math text into usable electronic formats, such as Latex, XML and MathML.
Screen Reading Software
Screen reading software applications identify the text being displayed on a computer screen and convert the text to audio. This allows blind and visually-impaired individuals to hear what is being displayed on a computer screen.
- JAWS (Windows)
- VoiceOver (built into OS X)
- Emacspeak (Linux)
- Orca for GNOME
- NVDA (Windows)
- ChromeVox
Speech Recognition
All speech recognition software packages transcribe spoken language to written text. They require a voice profile for each individual and minimal training using a microphone.
- Dragon (Windows) includes many features beyond text dictation including voice commands that allow for “hands-free” operation of the computer, transcription of recorded audio, and commands to surf the web.
- Windows Speech Recognition comes standard with the Windows 10 operating system and works best with Microsoft applications.
- Apple Voice Control features come standard in the Mac OS X operating system.
Stretch Break Software
Stretchly is a free, open-source break time reminder app. Use the preset break reminds, or set your own intervals to take a break from computing.