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Assistive technology

Read on for general information on assistive software technology and for details on what solutions and training are available through our Digital Accessibility Hubs.

Regular software accessibility provisions

In addition to the information available on specialist software below, make sure to check what accessibility provisions are available within regular software, e.g.:

Discover Assistive Technology

AT Hive guides you through various technologies that can help you to learn or work more effectively. 

Change your own device to suit you

For step-by-step instructions on how to adapt your phone, computer or tablet to meet your needs, refer to My Computer My Way.

Software list and availability

Different software is available to help with different types of disabilities - including visual impairment, deafness, or specific learning differences such as dyslexia/dyspraxia.

Some are open-source and therefore freely available. Others require a purchase. 

In some cases, some paid-for packages are made available to students and/or staff through UCL (on computers in teaching rooms, on Desktop@UCL and/or to download from UCL Software Database).

Through the Digital Accessibility Hubs, we provide access to a selection of software programmes for trying out and training.

Available for demo and training through the Hubs

SoftwareTypeDescriptionAvailability
Dragon Speech recognitionAllows users to control their computers with their voiceRequires purchase but available for trying out in the Hubs
EquatIO (by TextHelp)Maths and STEMMPowerful equation editor that makes it easy to create digital, accessible mathsRequires purchase but available on Desktop@UCL Everywhere for Students and for Staff
Fusion (Freedom Scientific)Screen reader and magnificationFusion combines two of the best vision accessibility tools available – ZoomText Magnifier/Reader and JAWS for Windows screen readerAvailable for download or version for purchase
InspirationMind mappingVisual thinking and learning tool to plan, research and complete projects successfullyRequires purchase but available on Desktop@UCL Everywhere for Students and for Staff
JAWS (Freedom Scientific)Screen readerFor computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouseAvailable to download or version for purchase
Read & Write (by TextHelp)Text-to-speechA literacy support software designed to assist with reading or composing textRequires purchase but available on Desktop@UCL Everywhere /  Available to download on UCL standalone machines (staff)
ZoomText (Freedom Scientific)Magnification and Text-to-speechA fully integrated magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision usersAvailable for download or version for purchase

Other software available at UCL

SoftwareTypeDescriptionAvailability
Mind GeniusMind mappingAllows to capture large amounts of disparate information and to view content from different viewpoints

In teaching rooms for students / Available on request for staff

Online version also available for WIN and MAC users - please email our Digital Accessibility Team 

NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access)Screen readerFree and open-source portable screen reader for Microsoft WindowsFree to all
RNIB BookshareAccessible file formatOnline repository of books that have been converted into accessible digital formatsUCL has an account with RNIB Bookshare - contact Student Support and Wellbeing

There is also the 'AT Hive' - an assistive technology resource: the aim of 'AT Hive' is to guide you through various technologies that can help people with disabilities in many different ways.