Adaptive Educational Services
Reading Assistance
There are several reasons why a student might need a reader. For example, students with learning disabilities, visual impairments or some forms of neurological diseases or disorders might need readers. Readers enable these students the same advantages as others in their classes.
Document QuickLinks
- How do I request a reader?
- Important information about reading assistance
- Reading assistance FAQ
- More resources for reading assistance
How do I request a reader?
A reader may be provided for you only when the book you need read cannot be located on tape elsewhere. If a reader is provided you must submit your books to Adaptive Services at least two weeks before your first assignment is due. Students are encouraged to identify their own readers and refer readers to the Adaptive Services office.
Another option for you is to use the Kurzweil software program. The Kurzweil program is not new technology, it has been used for some time. However, our office has access to new high-speed scanning technology that allows for all of your textbooks to be converted into digitized text. Once your textbooks are in the digital format you can use the Kurzweil software on your home or laptop computer to hear the words on your computer's screen being read to you rather than simply reading the words yourself. If you want more information about the Kurzweil software, please contact our office.
Important information about reading assistance
You should first exhaust all other alternatives before requesting reading services from our office. Maybe you have a sibling, significant other, a parent, or maybe even a friend who would be willing to provide reading services for you. You should first try to make arrangements with someone else you know, but once those alternatives have been exhausted, you should contact our office.
Reading assistance FAQ
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What do I do when I take a test?
The test will be read to you by a proctor during the regular scheduled class time exam, as outlined on the class syllabus.
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Will Kurzweil read technical books?
The Kurzweil software is a document scanning and reading program that scans text into a computer. It is less likely to read technical books such as mathematics, foreign language, and engineering. Also, it will not read graphics, pictures, italicized print, green print, some dot matrix text, or a Ditto copy.
More resources for reading assistance
On-Campus
- Adaptive Learning Lab: 317-274–0489
- Kurzweil Program: Located in the lab, the program scans text directly into a computer for reading.
- Voice software and synthesizer: enables the computer to repeat vocally what is being typed into the computer.
- Perkins Braille Reader: a manual Braille typewriter.
Off–Campus Resources
- Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic: 1–800–221–4792. Recordings for the Blind is a non–profit agency that provides books on tape free of charge to people with visual impairments. There is a one–time fee (subject to change without notice). Books can be checked out for up to one year at a time. If Recordings for the Blind does not have the book you want, you can send two copies of the book to them and they will make tapes for you.
- Indiana State Library: 317-232–3675 or 317-232–3683. The Indiana State Library Special Services Division offers a reserve of books on tape for loan free of charge. They also offer volunteer readers by geographic location and subject preference. The library also keeps a reserve of books in Braille.
