Assistive Technology User Guide for Online Testing

This guide is to help you determine if your device, testing platform and assistive technology will work together in the online testing environment.

You should be using this guide for each test, to help determine the steps you will need to take to access your assistive technology.

How to use the chart

1. Determine your device
   
   

   Note

   If you have, or have access to a Windows computer, this is always the best option for supporting your assistive technology needs. If you have a device that is not on this chart, please contact learning.strategist@lambtoncollege.ca for direct support to assess your device for compatibility.

2. Determine the testing program being used by your professor
   
   

   Note

   If your professor is not using D2L, please ask your professor if they have tested the chosen software to determine if it is accessible.

3. Determine your assistive technology needs for each test as text to speech, speech to text or both.
4. Click the determined link for information about how to install and use your assistive technology or report incompatible technology to Accessibility Centre staff. If your technology is not compatible, you will need to complete the form and a staff member will contact you to determine how we will meet your assistive technology needs.
   
   
   

Please see the examples below for further information on how to use this chart

Chart Examples

I will be using a Mac computer in D2L and require text to speech

• In this example, you will be using Read & Write.  You will click on the box in the interactive chart above to download the software and review the instructions.

I will be using an iPad with D2L with Lockdown Browser/Monitor and require speech to text software

• In this example your device will not work with your assistive technology. You will click the box in the interactive form and complete the form. A staff member will contact you to determine how we will meet your accessibility needs.

BACK TO CHART

Windows Configuration: Read & Write Text to Speech D2L ONLY

Installing or Updating your Read & Write Software

**Please read this section even if you already have Read & Write software **

1. Click the IT service desk link and follow the arrows to locate the software installation instructions: IT Service Desk
   

2. Scroll to the bottom to find Read & Write to select the Installation & Configuration Guide. Follow the instructions to install or update your software.
   
   
   

   Need IT Help?

   If you experience difficulties installing the software, please contact the IT helpdesk for support. difficulties installing the software, please contact the IT helpdesk for support here: IT Service Desk - Request Support

3. Once installed your Read & Write toolbar should look like this:
   
   
   IMPORTANT NOTE: If your toolbar looks different you could be using an older version of the software. The older version will not work with Lockdown Browser/Monitor. Please reinstall the software.

Using Read & Write Software

1. Make sure Read & Write is launched with the toolbar open.
   
2. Open D2L and find your quiz or test
3. You will be using the screenshot reader to box the text you wish to have read.
   

BACK TO CHART

Windows Configuration: Read & Write Text to Speech D2L WITH Lockdown Browser/Monitor

Installing or Updating your Read & Write Software

**Please read this section even if you already have Read & Write software **

1. Click the IT service desk link and follow the arrows to locate the software installation instructions: IT Service Desk
   

2. Scroll to the bottom to find Read & Write to select the Installation & Configuration Guide. Follow the instructions to install or update your software.
   
   
   

   Need IT Help?

   If you experience difficulties installing the software, please contact the IT helpdesk for support. difficulties installing the software, please contact the IT helpdesk for support here: IT Service Desk - Request Support

3. Once installed your Read & Write toolbar should look like this:
   
   
   IMPORTANT NOTE: If your toolbar looks different you could be using an older version of the software. The older version will not work with Lockdown Browser/Monitor. Please reinstall the software.

Using Read & Write Software

1. Make sure Read & Write is launched with the toolbar open.
   
2. Open D2L and find your quiz or test
3. Click OK to the following Read & Write notice.  It is notifying you that the software is going to launch the testing toolbar
   
   
   Your new toolbar will look like this:
   
   
   
4. You will use the screenshot reader to read selected test
   To use the screenshot reader, draw a box around the text that you would like to read
   
   
   
5. Voice settings, such as speed and voice selection, can be adjusted by clicking the icon indicated below
   
6. Do not close Read & Write until you have completed your test as you will not be able to restart the software once you are in the Lockdown Browser/Monitor.

BACK TO CHART

Mac Configuration: Read & Write Text to Speech D2L ONLY

Installing or Updating your Read & Write Software

**Please read this section even if you already have Read & Write software **

1. Click the IT service desk link and follow the arrows to locate the software installation instructions: IT Service Desk
   

2. Scroll to the bottom to find Read & Write to select the Installation & Configuration Guide. Follow the instructions to install or update your software.
   
   
   

   Need IT Help?

   If you experience difficulties installing the software, please contact the IT helpdesk for support. difficulties installing the software, please contact the IT helpdesk for support here: IT Service Desk - Request Support

3. Once installed your Read & Write toolbar should look like this:
   
   
   IMPORTANT NOTE: If your toolbar looks different you could be using an older version of the software. The older version will not work with Lockdown Browser/Monitor. Please reinstall the software.

Using Read & Write Software

1. Make sure Read & Write is launched with the toolbar open
2. Open D2L and find your quiz or test
3. You will use the screenshot ready to read selected text
4. To use the screenshot reader, draw a box around the text that you would like to read
   

BACK TO CHART

Windows/iPad D2L Configuration: Office365 Dictate

Accessing and Using Office365 Dictate

1. To access Office 365 log on to: mylambton.ca
2. Once on the homepage select Office 365 
   
3. Then select Word
   
4. When word launches, select New Blank Document
5. One the document opens, you will notice a dictate button near the top-right corner

6. Click the drop-down once and make sure English is selected
   
   
   

   Note

   You will work in this document. DO NOT open the desktop app. You will not be able to dictate in the app.

7. Click the dictate button and begin talking (the button will turn red when it is on)
   
8. Your words will become text across the screen
9. To use the dictation in a D2L test, you will need the D2L test open on a separate tab
   
10. When you have a question that you require dictation for, you will need to go back to word to dictate your answer
11. When you have completed dictating your answer, you will need to copy your answer to D2L. IMPORTANT: Microsoft 365 will only allow you to use shortcuts for copy and paste

BACK TO CHART

Mac Configuration: System Speech to Text D2L

Accessing and Using System Dictation Tools on Mac

1. Launch System Preferences 
2. Select Keyboard
   
   
   
3. The main keyboard screen will launch.  Select Dictation
   
   
4. Select On
   
5. The default controls to turn the microphone on is to press the functoin key twice.  This is also used to turn dictation off.  The dictation can be used directly in the D2L quiz:
   

BACK TO CHART

iPad Configuration: Text to Speech D2L

Accessing and Using System Dictation Tools on iPad

1. Turn on Text to Speech on your iPad
   1. Select Settings → General → Accessibility
   2. Select Speech
   3. Toggle Speak Selection to On
   4. Toggle Speak Screen to On
2. You can also adjust the speaking rate at the bottom of the page

3. Toggle On the Highlight Content option
   
   

   Supplementary Video

   The following video walks through the setup process: Text to Speech iPad

4. Open your test in D2L
5. Highlight text and tap Speak

_______________

Table of Contents

_______________

Related articles

• Page:
  Assistive Technology User Guide for Online Testing