Tools, software and adaptive technology
Adaptive technologies are apps, settings and tools that can enhance your interaction with devices and digital content. These apps and settings may assist if you’re having challenges reading course materials, taking notes, writing assignments or experiencing screen fatigue.
This section has information about technology readily available to all AUT students, whether these are standard tools on your computer, free software, part of Office 365, or subscriptions and hardware we can fund.
In this section:
Standard accessibility tools available
A suite of apps is available to all AUT students, featuring key tools for reading, writing, content management and study planning within Microsoft Office 365.
Learn more about Microsoft 365 at AUT and how to download it. These are just some of the many tools available. You may find it useful to browse the accessibility guides for your devices directly to find the information you're looking for:
Additional tools you can borrow
We can provide the following tools for you to trial or loan at no cost. Contact us to check what is available.
Immersive Reader
Immersive Reader supports reading from the screen. Adjust font size, spacing, and background colour. Listen to text using natural-sounding voices. Available in Edge, Word, OneNote and Canvas.
Read Aloud
You can use Read Aloud as a standalone feature to read text directly from Word documents, OneNote pages and webpages in Edge.
Dictate
Dictate lets you speak ideas directly into documents and presentations for quick content creation.
Your guide to Dictation - YouTube
Editor
Editor refines and enhances writing with suggestions.
Microsoft Lens
Microsoft Lens mobile app allows you to capture and manage learning materials using your camera. Use Immersive Reader on printed documents.
Keep track of deadlines, classes and other priorities with Outlook Calendar and To Do in Microsoft 365.
- To Do help & learning (microsoft.com)
- Link your AUT My Schedule to your Outlook calendar
If you’re a student registered with us and have an academic accommodation plan, you might qualify for these useful tools:
Glean
Struggling with taking notes in class? Glean supports your notetaking experience by allowing you to:
- Import slides: Easily bring in presentations from class
- Record audio: Capture important lectures
- Mark up highlights: Annotate key points for later review
- Watch the video below to see it in action. And if you’d like to learn more feel free to book an appointment with our Adaptive Technology Coordinator
Grammarly
Looking for writing support? If Dictate and Microsoft Editor aren’t quite meeting your needs, talk to us about Grammarly. It enhances your writing by checking grammar, spelling, and style, and provides in-depth suggestions.
Equipment loans
We provide equipment loans for students with specific needs. These tools include:
- Neo Smart Pens for notetaking
- USB Microphones and recording devices for capturing information
- Alternative inputs for devices, including ergonomic mice and keyboards
- Noise-cancelling headphones to minimise distractions
If you require tools that aren’t currently available, we can offer advice or support for funding alternatives.
Adaptive technology room
The adaptive technology room is a dedicated accessible space for students to study.
Located in the City Campus Library, this room offers:
- Swipe card access
- Automatic door opener for easy access
- Height-adjustable desks for ergonomic support
- PCs and monitors equipped with up-to-date operating systems
- Accessibility settings you can customise to suit your needs
Download the guide
To find out more about adaptive technology that could support your studies download our guide. You can also find this information on the web pages in this section.
Contact us
You can contact us in the way that best suits you. For any question relating to disability support services:
Phone: +64 9 921 9210
Email: disability.office@aut.ac.nz