Remote Access to Assistive Technology

Find out below what assistive technology is available and how to access this from home. 

Accessibility tools and checkers

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 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. Please see our guide 'Requesting Remote Access to Assitive Technology' in the 'Useful Downloads' section below, for a step-by-step instructions.

Claro Read Plus

Claro is currently offering a range of free apps. Please visit https://www.clarosoftware.com/cloud-web-apps/  for more details.

• Reads and annotates a variety of document types.
• Allows you to listen back to text that you have written.
• Provides word prediction and spell check.

 For Windows and Mac computers, please request access to Claro via ServiceLine.

Texthelp read & write

Available on Windows and Mac computers. Please raise a request through ServiceLine.

• Reads a variety of document types with a choice of natural voices.
• Includes a spell check, word prediction and grammar checker.
• Includes a screen tint function.

Dragon Naturally Speaking

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. Please contact Student Disability and Inclusion if you require information on how to access Dragon dictation software.

• Creates, formats and edits documents by voice.
• Includes naturally sounding text-to-speech or audio playback of your own dictations.

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. 

Please see our guide 'Requesting Remote Access to Assistive Technology' in the section below. If you have a questions about accessing assistive technology from home, please email studenthub@soton.ac.uk. To speak to a member of the team, call 02380 599 599.