Apple & Microsoft team up to provide free digital accessibility support for students

Apple & Microsoft team up to provide free digital accessibility support for students

To celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day, RUSU and ELA have teamed up with technology leaders Apple, Microsoft and TextHelp to provide students with free digital accessibility support.

The free event will see digital experts lead RMIT students and staff through the inbuilt settings, software and hardware available to increase digital accessibility.

Fashion and Textile student Wendy Jasper knows all too well the importance of assistive technology when it comes to her studies.

Fashion and Textile student Wendy. Fashion and Textile student Wendy Jasper.
I was struggling last term with all the reading required for Intro to sustainable fashion and textiles. I am an avid reader, but when it comes to reading academic papers and reports I would read the same line over and over again and it would not land.

“Once I switched to text to speech software I stopped falling behind with the reading and could take notes while listening (or wash the dishes). I tried a few different types of software and settled on NaturalReader text to speech as I could pay to be able to get a nice voice I liked,” she said.

Research shows that like Wendy, up to 90% of computer users suffer visual and concentration symptoms, related to digital eye strain. It’s one of the many reasons why RMIT’s ELA department chose to focus on digital accessibility for Global Accessibility day. 

Support for students

Bring your laptop, phone or preferred technology and attend the free Lunch and Learn co-hosted by RUSU. Experts will teach you about the inbuilt settings, software and hardware that improve digital accessibility. We will also be live streaming presentations from each provider for those unable to attend the event in person. Find out more and register for the event by clicking below. 

When: 11-1pm, Wednesday 18 May
Where: RMIT Storey Hall

Visit Equitable Learning and Accessibility and RMIT University Student Union for more information and support. 

06 May 2022

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.