Assistive Technology Education Center (ATEC)
The ATEC Lab is located in the Student Services Building (SSB), room 4.206 and offers adaptive equipment and software for students registered with SSD. It also serves as the production facility for students who receive alternative text accommodations. The ATEC lab is open during SSD business hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
The ATEC Lab contains a color CCTV, duplex scanners, a Macintosh G4 workstation and PC workstations equipped with the following programs:
- NVDA
- Kurzweil 3000
- Dragon Naturally Speaking
- ZoomText
In addition to assistive technology and adaptive equipment, the ATEC Lab offers on site staff to assist students with scanning, testing and assistive technology use as needed. For further information, contact the Lab Manager at ssd-atec@austin.utexas.edu or 512-232-2842.
Kurzweil 3000 Firefly Accommodation
Kurzweil is designed for students with learning differences including learning, mobility, and/or visual disabilities and can convert pdf and text files to audio format and read text aloud. Students approved for Kurzweil as an accommodation can email the ATEC Lab at ssd-atec@austin.utexas.edu with a request for the software to install the software on their personal computers. You will receive an email within 2 business days with instructions on how to register yourself for an account and how to download the software.
Alternative Text Accommodation
Book requests are processed in 5-10 business days.
Submit your book list to our Alternative Format Book Request Form.
*This accommodation is only available to students for which it is approved. Publishers have strict guidelines for what constitutes a “print disability” and we must adhere to those restrictions when requesting accessible versions of texts.*
You will be asked for:
A picture/ screenshot of the receipt/ invoice
The full title of each book
Edition
ISBN 13 (13 numbers, starts with 978…)
Author name
Publisher name
Year published
All this information is located within the first few pages of the book. Please include any specific formats needed, such as braille, when you submit your request.
How the process works:
After you submit your book list, we work with publishers to get digital formats of the texts. Not all texts are going to be available from the publishers. If we are unable to get a digital version from the publisher, you will be contacted to bring in the physical copy of the book/course packet for us to scan. To scan a book, we have to cut the spine off of the book. This process cannot be done on library loaned books, rented books, or borrowed books. After we cut and scan the books, we will send the books to be re-bound. After we get the books back, you will be notified to pick up your physical copy. *NOTE: Any re-bound copy cannot be sold because it has been modified.
What happens when your digital books are ready?
You will receive your texts, in an accessible format that will work with Kurzweil, through a secure UT Box link. This link will be active for only 30 days during which time you will need to download and save your books on a personal drive.
**TIP: A good practice is to check your booklist at the University Coop listing before the semester begins and submit the request as soon as possible. The ATEC Lab fulfills all print accessibility requests for SSD students and we get very busy at the beginning of the semester. You can get your books faster by sending in your request before the semester begins. After the semester begins and you purchase your books, send in your receipt(s) and we will release your books through a UT Box link. NOTE: Proof of purchase is required to release your books. A picture or screenshot of a completed order will work as proof of purchase.
Additional Resources:
The University of Texas Libraries offer reference and research assistance, access to accessible electronic material, and accessible workstations. Information on Library Services For Users With Disabilities is available here: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/services/assistive/
