Assistive Technology at Bowdoin

Questions

  • What assistive technology is available at Bowdoin?
  • What tools can read text aloud, take dictation, or magnify the screen?
  • What accessibility features are built into my Bowdoin devices?
  • How do I convert a scanned PDF into readable text?
  • Where can I get accessible textbooks?
  • Who do I contact about assistive technology or accommodations?

Environment

This article applies to all Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff. It provides an overview and links to the specific how-to articles in this section.

Resolution

Assistive technology (AT) is any tool that helps people read, write, navigate, and access information. Much of it is already built into the devices and software Bowdoin provides.

Read text aloud (text to speech)

  • Speechify — a text-to-speech tool licensed by Bowdoin that reads web pages, PDFs, and documents aloud. See Use Speechify to Read Text Aloud.
  • Microsoft Immersive Reader — built into Word, Edge, and other Microsoft 365 apps. See Use Immersive Reader to Read Text Aloud.
  • Apple Spoken Content — built into Mac, iPad, and iPhone. See Use Spoken Content on Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

Type with your voice (dictation)

Dictation turns speech into text on your Mac, iPad, and iPhone. See Use Dictation (Speech-to-Text) on Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

Navigate by audio (screen readers)

Screen readers describe the screen and let you control your device without a mouse — VoiceOver on Apple devices and Narrator on Windows. See Screen Readers: VoiceOver and Narrator.

Other tools Bowdoin offers

  • Bookshare — textbooks converted for online and audio reading.
  • ABBYY FineReader and Adobe Acrobat — convert image-based PDFs into searchable, readable text (OCR).
  • Captioning — live captions, automatic captions, and editable transcripts in Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Panopto. See the Captioning and Subtitles articles.
  • Hardware — headsets with microphones, scanners, and voice recorders are available in several campus locations.
Accommodations: If you need an accommodation, students should contact the Student Accessibility Office and employees should contact Workplace Accessibility and Accommodations, both linked from Bowdoin's Accessibility site below.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Additional Resources

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Related Articles (5)

Screen Readers: VoiceOver (Apple) and Narrator (Windows)
An introduction to the built-in screen readers VoiceOver (Mac, iPad, iPhone) and Narrator (Windows), including how to turn each on or off with a keyboard shortcut and where to adjust voice and navigation settings. Applies to Bowdoin community members using Apple or Windows devices.
Use Dictation (Speech-to-Text) on Mac, iPad, and iPhone
How to turn on and use Dictation (speech-to-text) on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, including enabling it in settings, starting and stopping, and adding punctuation by voice. Applies to Bowdoin community members using Apple devices.
Use Immersive Reader to Read Text Aloud
How to use Microsoft Immersive Reader and its Read Aloud feature in Word and Microsoft Edge to have documents and web pages read aloud, with word highlighting and adjustable voice, speed, spacing, and Line Focus. Applies to Bowdoin community members using Microsoft 365.
Use Speechify to Read Text Aloud
How to use Speechify, the text-to-speech tool licensed by Bowdoin, to have PDFs, documents, and web pages read aloud. Covers logging in through Bowdoin single sign-on at login.bowdoin.edu (Okta), adding content by file, text, or web link, adjusting the voice, language, and speed, and using the browser extension and mobile apps. Applies to Bowdoin faculty, staff, and students.
Use Spoken Content on Mac, iPad, and iPhone
How to set up and use Apple Spoken Content — Speak Selection and Speak Screen — to read text aloud on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, including turning it on, using the shortcuts, and adjusting voice and speaking rate. Notes how it differs from the VoiceOver screen reader. Applies to Bowdoin community members using Apple devices.