Planning to purchase or use freely available software for department, college, or university purposes? Then you need to review that software to make sure it is accessible for all students, faculty, or staff that will be using it.
Ball State’s Software Accessibility Review Process outlines what you need to do and how to submit your results for review.
Digital Accessibility Services (DAS) provides disability-related technology support to students, staff, and faculty on campus. If a disability limits your full access to your computer or course materials, we have something to help! We offer audio textbooks as well as a suite of programs to help with reading and optimizing your study time. Our goal is to give students with disabilities an equitable educational experience by providing supports that eliminate barriers and empower access.
Campus Locations
Accessible Technology (ACT) Lab
The main office for Digital Accessibility Services is located in the Robert Bell (RB) building, room 168. To visit us, come into RB165, located across the hallway from the eSports Center. You can access our office via the door on your left as you enter RB165.
Student Accessibility Suite
Ball Communications (BC) building, room 194, offers a dedicated student accessible workspace. Room BC 194A contains an adjustable height table, a video magnifier, and table space for personal devices.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact us via
actlab@bsu.edu.
Overview of Services
The ACT Lab is the flagship office and workshop for Digital Accessibility Services. The ACT Lab is staffed with alternative media assistants specially trained and available to make course material accessible. Most requests are fulfilled either same or next day, but vary based on complexity and volume.
Students registered with Disability Services are eligible to have their textbooks converted into digital format. We provide files in accessible PDF or EPUB, and use Read and Write Gold as our PDF reader. We can also create custom formats upon request
- Read and Write Gold is our PDF reader. There is a desktop and Chrome version.
- Equatio is our STEM solution able to accurately verbalize math equations, as well as capture math from class slides or notes and convert it into Word.
- Dragon Professional is an advanced dictation solution that also provides voice control for the PC.
- JAWS and ZoomText are tools for the blind and visually impaired.
We offer full Braille, large print, and raised line graphic production capability, including advanced STEM material like charts, graphs, and diagrams. No student should feel material is ‘too visual’ to learn, we have the tools to help! Contact us for more information.
Digital Accessibility Services is available to consult faculty and students who have concerns regarding the accessibility of their courses. We work collaboratively with students and faculty to find accessible solutions, while maintaining the academic integrity of the course.
DAS also coordinates ADA/Section 508 compliance testing operations for the university. If you are purchasing a new solution and would like to make accessibility a priority in the process, contact us for a consultation.
Outreach and education sessions on topics intersecting disability, technology, inclusion, and the teaching/learning process is available to the BSU community. If your class, group, department, or organization is interested in any of these topics, contact us to set up a consultation.
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