Assistive IT support
The University of St Andrews is committed to supporting users with disabilities as they undertake either studies or employment at the University. Within this commitment IT Services plays a vital role by providing IT support and solutions. The department's expertise in assistive software and hardware technologies, along with an increasing range of alternative learning formats, enables users with a wide variety of disabilities. The department works in close cooperation with Student Services as it strives to offer a holistic service to its users.
Assistive Technologies
Site Licensed Assistive Software available on campus
Read and Write Gold
Read and Write is a text support program giving assistance to users who have input difficulties, or dyslexia-type literacy obstacles.
The university's site license allows us to use this software on all university owned Windows machines. This includes computer classroom machines, staff machines and Student Services' loan laptops.
For more information see Information and text support.
Mindjet MindManager
MindManager is an information mapping tool that allows users to lay out, organise and work with ideas and information in a variety of interactive visual formats.
The university's site license allows the software to be used on any machine owned by the university or on any personal computer owned by a matriculated student. The license covers both Mac and Windows versions.
For more information see Information and text support.
To download a copy of MindManager please visit the ITS software pages.
Other Assistive Software packages
A variety of assistive software and hardware is available from specialist IT companies. The lists below give an introduction to some of the other applications and hardware available.
- Ergonomic hardware
- Information and text support
- Optical character recognition software
- Screen reading and magnifying
- Voice to text
- Open Source Solutions
Call Scotland and CereProc have launched a new synthetic Scottish voice thanks to funding from the Scottish Government. 'Stuart' is available to download here
Purchasing of assistive equipment for students and staff can be done through IT Services by contacting Finlay Miller (e-mail frgm).
Assistive Technology Training
Classroom training sessions in the University's site licensed software, Mindjet MindManager and Read and Write Gold, are arranged at regular intervals during the academic year. One to one training on other AT packages is also available.
To express an interest in AT training please contact Finlay Miller (e-mail frgm).
IT Services also offers a training course on web accessibility.
Disabled Students' Allowance
Disabled Students Allowance (DSAs) provides extra financial help if you want to study a higher education course and have a disability, ongoing health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty like dyslexia.
Alternative Format Suite (AFS)
A state of the art Alternative Format Suite (AFS) offers users the chance to access learning materials in a wide range of formats including Braille and Daisy books. Further information on alternative formats is available direct from the AFS. The AFS is also looking for volunteers to help with the task of converting books into alternative formats.
Student Services Staff Information
To assist Student Services staff a number of online tools have been made available by IT Services to assist them with day to day operations.
Please see Staff Portal here.
