Sensus Access is an online tool that allows users to convert documents into various accessible alternative formats like audio (MP3), digital Braille, e-books (EPUB), or large print, essentially making documents readable for people with visual impairments or other disabilities by transforming them from standard formats like PDFs or Word documents into formats that can be accessed with assistive technologies; it's considered a self-service document remediation tool for creating alternative formats of content that can be more accessible to fit your needs.

• SensusAccess "Alternative Media Format" Self-Service Conversion Tool is available to all Southern New Hampshire University students, faculty, and staff.
  • To use SensusAccess, please use this customized URL: SensusAccess "Alternative Media Format" Self-Service Conversion Tool
    • When asked to enter an email, use your @snhu.edu email address. Please note that you will have to enable cookies and pop-ups.

• Microsoft Editor helps improve your writing skills. It checks for grammar errors, and it detects plagiarism (similarities).
  • The default settings are limited to the simple grammar-checking tools, and your refinements will not be as robust as when you customize your settings.
    • To customize the editor tool, review the following article: How To Enable Editor Settings
• Microsoft’s proven resume tips.
• Notetaking Tips: How to Take Study Notes: Try these five methods to find your best Note-taking method!

Microsoft’s "Immersive Reader" improves everyone's reading and writing skills. It features Dyslexia support, Language Translation, and Audio Listening.

• It can help build confidence and offers text decoding solutions:
• Change font size, text spacing, and background color.
• Highlight verbs, nouns, adjectives, and sub-clauses.
• Choose between two fonts optimized to help with reading.
• Read out text aloud and change the speed of reading.
• The Optical Character Recognition (OCR) built into OneNote can decipher text within a picture and then make that available in the Immersive Reader.
  • Here is a quick How-To use Immersive Reader to help with Text to Speech. 

Microsoft Dictation helps you author content in Office with a microphone and reliable internet connection, get your thoughts out, create drafts or outlines, and capture notes.

• Learn to use Dictation and voice commands in Microsoft Word
• How to use Dictation in Microsoft Word for the web - YouTube
• Say it with Microsoft Dictate - YouTube 

Windows Dictate: Use dictation to convert spoken words into text anywhere on your PC with Windows. 

• Dictation uses speech recognition, which is built into Windows PC, so there is nothing you need to download and install to use it.
• Use the built-in voice access feature to control your PC.
• Bing Chat can give you answers from the web from your desktop.
• Customize your PC settings by reviewing the Windows 11 Accessibility Overview.
  • How to Use voice recognition in Windows.
  • To learn how to set up your microphone, read How to Set up and Test Microphones in Windows.
  • Windows 11 Accessibility Overview (Available for free as part of the Accessibility features: Get started with voice access and Set up voice access).
  • Voice access command list - Microsoft Support (Learn about the variety of voice commands available on the voice access feature in Windows 11).
  • Edit text with voice - Microsoft Support (Use Windows 11 voice access commands to edit and format text in your documents)

Would you like to remember where you jotted down that vital note? Do you feel you need help with a desk full of sticky notes? Meet Microsoft OneNote, a digital notebook tool where you can take notes, organize your thoughts and ideas, and share your content with others. Add pages to your sections. You can use pages for specific pieces of content within your sections. This could be a meeting agenda, project outline, or class or work notes. 

OneNote and Outlook Strategies and Tips:  

• Create a Digital Notebook
• Using OneNote with Outlook for Meetings and Project
• Video: Start using OneNote - Microsoft Support
• Top 20 Microsoft OneNote Tips and Tricks 2022 - YouTube
• Using OneNote for organizing and prioritizing tasks
• Using OneNote for creating and organizing to-do lists
• 11 Tips for Improving Productivity Using OneNote
• Organize Your Notes
• Create Pages, Sections, or Notebooks in OneNote for iPad or iPhone.

 Whiteboard:

Microsoft Whiteboard creates and organizes mind maps, workflows, and brainstorming digital notepads. Suppose you do not see the Whiteboard App in your Microsoft 365 Web account. Follow the instructions here: Microsoft Whiteboard. Brainstorm, plan, and share with others on a digital canvas, all in real time!

• Getting started with Microsoft Whiteboard.

• How to Use Microsoft Whiteboard - YouTube.

• How to use Microsoft Whiteboard - 2022 Beginners Tutorial.

• Tips and Tricks for Microsoft Whiteboard.

• 13 tips to get the most out of Microsoft Whiteboard

• Add notes and note grids on the Whiteboard.

• Insert templates in the Whiteboard.

• Microsoft Word Transcription helps you create a transcript. This feature is currently only available on Word for the web. The transcribe feature converts speech to a text transcript, separating each speaker individually. After your conversation, interview, or meeting, you can revisit parts of the recording by playing back the timestamped audio and editing the transcription to make corrections. You can save the full transcript as a Word document or insert snippets into existing documents. You can transcribe speech in two ways:
  • Record directly in Word (web).
  • Upload an audio file.

• Use Planner and Insights to help you stay organized, focused, and on tasks.
  • Microsoft Website: Getting started with Planner in Teams
  • The Microsoft video will show the difference between Planner and Do List Applications.
  • Stay on top of tasks and plans with email and notifications
  • Delete a task or plan
  • Use Schedule View to see tasks on a calendar
  • Create a plan in Planner
  • Video: Plan an event
  • Create tasks and a to-do list in Outlook.
  • Microsoft Insights is a collection of tools that help users work more efficiently and smarter. It uses data from Microsoft 365 to provide personalized recommendations and insight.
    • Get started with Microsoft Viva Connections
    • Introduction to Viva Insights
    • Introduction to Viva Learning
      • Insights will schedule focus time and is now available as one of your Microsoft Applications and as an Add-On in your "Classic" Desktop Outlook.

• If you are an employee, you can Get started with Microsoft Loop. Microsoft Loop is a transformative co-creation experience that brings together teams, content, and tasks across your tools and devices. Loop combines a powerful and flexible canvas with portable components that move freely and sync across applications—Watch the Microsoft YouTube video of how Loop is enabling teams to think, plan, and create together. 

   

• Use the Microsoft Teams features to enable “Accessibility Settings” as an inclusive collaboration, such as transcripts, captions, meeting notes, whiteboard, and prioritizing Signers to customize your experience in Teams.

• Now, you can use the translation feature in a TEAMS meeting.
• Microsoft Translation App can also be installed on devices (smartphone and tablets):
  • Apple
  • Android
  • Amazon

1. Users (including the facilitator/organizer) have the app installed, and the translated conversations will appear across the devices for one-on-one chats or group interactions.
2. After each user has installed the app:
3. The facilitator/organizer will press or hit the "Start conversation,” log in and enter their name and language.
4. The facilitator/organizer will share the conversation code with other participants, who can join the chat using the Translator app or website.
5. The facilitator/organizer will speak or type in your language to communicate with other participants in the conversation. Other participants will see messages in their language.

• EquatIO dictates math formulas and uses a digital graphing calculator. EquatIO should be used with Read & Write.
• Read & Write is a customizable toolbar that integrates reading, writing, studying, and research support tools. This text-to-speech tool supports reading literacy, audio note-taking, comprehension, annotation, dyslexia, and audio listening.
• Visit the Introduction to Read&Write for an overview of the functions of Read and Write.
• Visit the Read&Write Training Portal for self-paced courses, tips, and video tutorials to learn the features and best practices.

SNHU Employees- Please Note: Texthelp Software Products require "admin credentials" to install the software on your device. Please let me know, and I will facilitate the installation. I can also help you customize your settings to maximize the functionality and features of these two free digital software tools.

If you have any questions or would like to learn how these tools can help you or explore other tools, please schedule a consultation today:

• Visit the Bookings App and Schedule a time to meet with Martha Patricia Petersen, Assistive Technology Manager
• Copy and paste https://tinyurl.com/5yurujva to your Website browser.
• Send an email to: [email protected].