Find out below what assistive technology is available and how to access this from home.
Website accessibility bar
The university website has an accessibility bar with a range of tools including a read aloud function, screen magnifier and coloured overlays.
This can be accessed from the blue ribbon, at the top of any university web page. Simply select ‘Accessibility Tools' from the top ribbon to choose from a range of options.
Microsoft package accessibility checkers
Microsoft Office has accessibility checkers to make sure your content is easy for people of all abilities to read and edit.
On Word and PowerPoint, the accessibility tracker is found under Review, then Check Accessibility. If you don't see the Check Accessibility option on the Review tab, you might have an older version of the app. If this is the case, select File / Info then select Check for issues which will give you the Check Accessibility option.
To ensure your email content is accessible, select New Email or open your email response in a new window. The accessibility tracker is found under Review, then Check Accessibility.
Software for students with a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), such as Dyslexia
Our assistive software packages are being uploaded to the download site with priority access for students registered for the Assistive Technology suite. Students should contact Serviceline if they are unable to access assistive software essential for their learning.
Glean is a note taking tool designed to improve your learning and productivity. It is an online software, so can be used on both Windows and Mac computers.
How to access Glean: If you think you would benefit from using Glean then please raise a request through ServiceLine and your request will be reviewed.
Please note: Students who request access to Glean must be a registered user of the Assistive Technology Suite (ATS).
From December 1st 2020, Glean will replace Sonocent Audio Note taker. If you have previously used Sonocent Audio Notetaker, please request access to Glean via ServiceLine.
Claro provide a suite of software for people with disabilities such as print and reading difficulties like Dyslexia.
Claro is currently offering a range of free apps. Please visit https://www.clarosoftware.com/cloud-web-apps/ for more details.
Claro Read Plus
For Windows and Mac computers, please request access to Claro via ServiceLine.
Available from software download site. For Mac computers, please request access via ServiceLine.
It is an online software, so can be used on both Windows and Mac computers. Contact ServiceLine for access.
This is an interactive word map that you can use as a dictionary or thesaurus.
Software for Visually Impaired Students
Software which may benefit visually impaired students is listed below alongside key features. Our assistive software packages are being uploaded to the download site with priority access for students registered for the Assistive Technology suite. Students should contact Serviceline if they are unable to access assistive software essential for their learning.
Claro is currently offering a range of free apps. Please visit https://www.clarosoftware.com/cloud-web-apps/ for more details.
For Windows and Mac computers, please request access to Claro via ServiceLine.
Available from software download site.
Available on University of Southampton PCs, including the AT Suite. This software is available on Windows PCs only.
At present this is not available for home use, but the supplier does provide a discounted student offer. Raise a ticket to Service Line if you would like more details.
AT software for students with recommended access:
JAWS ("Job Access With Speech")
Contact Service Line for access. This software is available on Windows PCs only.
A computer screen reader program for visually impaired and blind users to read the screen either with a text-to-speech output or by a refreshable Braille display. Whilst compatible with most software, please note it is not compatible with FPSS often used by geographers.
Many providers of software for the visually impaired are also providing extended free trials.
Software for Hearing Impaired Students
Many audio and video-based software offer automation speech recognition or captioning.
Panopto Lecture Capture improvements
To access automatic speech recognition in Panopto, view the following guide.
To use live captions in a meeting, go to your meeting controls and select ‘More options’ then, ‘Turn on live captions’.
If you have a questions about accessing assistive technology from home, please email enable@soton.ac.uk. To speak to a member of the team, call 02380 599 599 and press option 3.