Resources

Kurzweil

Kurzweil3000 is an integrated literacy software with a variety of features to support reading, writing, and studying. Text-to-speech (reads text aloud) is available in over 18 languages and dialects. Users can also customize reading rate, presentation, and text size (magnification). The software reads text aloud in Word, PDF, EPUB, RTF, Daisy, and on the web. Please complete this Kurzweil Request Form to ask that Accessibility Services activate a subscription on your behalf.

• Kurzweil Product Guides – Windows, Kurzweil3000.com, Read the Web, Mac
• Kurzweil Academy – Guides for Getting Started
• Kurzweil Education – YouTube Channel

Note-taking

Microsoft OneNote is a digital note taking app available to each Law Center community member using their NetID credentials.

Dictation

Dictation is a speech transcription technology that converts speech to text. Students may elect to use dictation to write papers, emails, reading notes, etc. Ensure you work in a quiet space and speak at a rate that allows accurate conversion into text. Practicing often will increase your familiarity with the software.

• Kurzweil3000
• Type with your voice in Google Docs
• Use voice recognition in Windows
• Dictate messages and documents on Mac
• Use Voice Control on Mac
• Dictate your documents in Word

Screen Readers

Screen readers allow for text on a computer screen to be read aloud. Students who are blind or visually impaired listen to the text read aloud and navigate the screen using the keyboard or mouse. NVDA is a screen reader that can be downloaded free of charge by anyone.

Magnification

• Apple users can use the Magnifier app to make an object easier to see by zooming in, applying color filters, adding light with the flashlight, and adjusting the brightness or contrast of the image.
• Android users can use magnification to zoom or magnify to see the device’s screen better.

Law Library

Assistive Technology Workstation

The Assistive Technology Workstation (Room 506) is available for students, staff, and faculty for law school work that requires text-to-speech software, voice recognition software, screen reading software or magnification software. Students may use the Group Study Room portal to reserve the room to utilize ZoomText, JAWS, Kurzweil, Dragon and/or a flatbed scanner. The Williams Library Training Resource includes a Dragon Naturally Speaking Free Demo titled Dragon NaturallySpeaking Essential Training. A headset, with a microphone, is available to borrow at the Circulation Desk. The room is available as a study room when not needed for these purposes.

Self-Service Scanning

Georgetown Law Library provides self-service scanners that are available free of charge for all Law Library patrons. Due to email size limits, large documents may have to be scanned in black and white, in batches, or saved to a portable USB drive.

Scanners are located between the Loewinger Lounge and the Robert L. Oakley Reading Room on the 2nd Floor of the Williams Library. The Maps & Directions page provides information on the exact location of scanners throughout the library.

Both the KIC and Xerox scanners can create searchable PDFs. For the KIC Scanner, after scanning all pages, choose “More Output Options…” then select “Searchable PDF.” For the Xerox scanner, prior to scanning, choose “Searchable PDF” from under “Document Format.”

Private Study Scholar Rooms

Accessibility Services partners with the Law Library to coordinate student use of Private Study Scholar Rooms reserved for students who use voice recognition software or other assistive technology.