Students who are approved to use locked laptops for exams can utilize personal or SAS computers at the discretion of the instructor. If a SAS loaner laptop is needed, it must be reserved in advance with SAS in order to plan pick up and drop off. SAS hours of operation are M-F 8:30-5:00 pm. We are unable to come before work hours or stay after hours to wait for computers to be picked-up or returned from exams. The instructor will need to make arrangements to receive the computer the previous day for early morning exams. For evening/weekend exams, the instructor or proctor will need to keep the computer overnight, and return the computer to SAS the next day. 

Reserve a SAS Secure Computer

Assistive technology includes:

• Digital audio recorders
• FM listening aid equipment
• Live Scribe recording pens
• Portable standing desk/podium
• Other specialized items
• Video magnification equipment

Students registered with SAS can borrow assistive technology based on their disability needs. If you think that you may need to request assistive technology, please email sas@brown.edu or call our office at (401) 863-9588 and make an appointment to meet one of our staff. Once your request is approved you will need to complete the Equipment Loan Contract Form. SAS staff will follow-up with you to determine pick up and return of equipment. 

Kurzweil 3000 incorporates reading, word processing and learning software into one single program. The software can access many different formats including printed, electronic, and web resources. When used as a reader, Kurzweil reads text aloud in clear, humanlike, synthetic speech while visually highlighting the words. The reader can be paused at any time. Speech speed and reader language can also be easily adjusted. Kurzweil has dictionary, thesaurus, spell check, and print functions. The user can also color highlight important passages as well as place bookmarks to keep his/her place. Notes can be added by the reader, and there are features that allow users to pull out highlighted passages and notes into a separate document.

The latest version of Kurzweil includes a web version and iPad app called Firefly. Files can be shared among Kurzweil 3000, Firefly online and on an iPad using Kurzweil 300's cloud-based file storage system, which comes with each installation. This allows eligible students to access their Kurzweil files on their computer, online and on an iPad.

The following formats can be read in Kurzweil:

• KESI File (.KES) Kurzweil created files
• Rich Text Format (.RTF)
• Text File (.TXT)
• MS Word Files (.Doc)
• Image Files (.TIF, .BMP, .JPG)
• Daisy (.OPF)
• Adobe Acrobat Files (.PDF)
• Websites/HTML (.HTM, .HTML)

For more detailed information about how to best use Kurzweil 3000, please refer to the Kurzweil Education website.

Glean is a notetaking tool that works through a Chrome browser. For approved students, they would receive an account with a login, create a "new project" for a lecture and then record audio. Audio is captured with a diagram showing when there is audio and when there is silence. Students can tag the audio for things like "Important" or "Follow-up." Students can also import slides in PDF format and type associated notes. The tool allows students to be independent with notetaking and go back and check notes without having to listen to the entire lecture a second time.

For more detailed information about how to best use Glean, please refer to the Glean website.

JAWS is a screen reader. Reader languages include: American English, British English, Castilian Spanish, Latin American Spanish, French, French Canadian, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese and Finnish. JAWS supports all standard Windows applications including Internet Explorer. Navigation quick keys are available in Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer.

For more detailed information about how to best use JAWS, please refer to the JAWS website.

Dragon Naturally Speaking, or Dragon, is a speech recognition software which allows users to create text by simply speaking into a microphone headset. With Dragon, one types using shortcut voice commands and normal speech. This device can be used to dictate and edit in Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet Browsers and basically all Windows-based applications.

For more detailed information about how to best use Dragon, please refer to the Dragon website and YouTube training videos on using Dragon effectively for typing word-processing, e-mail, etc. The Dragon Commands Summary Sheet can be printed out to use to help learn how to control Dragon effectively.

ZoomText is a screen magnifier/screen reader program. This software enlarges and enhances everything on your computer screen, making all of your applications easy to see and use. While magnified, it will also read documents, web pages, and email.

For more detailed information about how to best use ZoomText, please refer to the ZoomText website.

• Includes: Printer, scanner and a headset with microphone

• Software: Kurzweil, Dragon, Jaws and ZoomText

This room is locked at all times -- please see the page on SAS library room scheduling. Take the stairs to the 2nd level, take a left, and it will be on your left side.

• Includes: Video magnifier

This room is locked at all times -- please see the page on SAS library room scheduling.

• Includes: Printer, scanner, copier and a headset with microphone

• Software includes: Kurzweil, Dragon, Jaws and ZoomText

This room is locked at all times -- please see the page on SAS library room scheduling. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor, go left and then all the way to the far wall, take another left and it is immediately on your right.

• Includes: Printer, scanner and a headset with microphone on reserve at the desk

• Software includes: Kurzweil, Dragon, Jaws and ZoomText. Desktop video magnifier

This room is open at all times. Room is available to authorized SAS students only. Computer requires username and password to access. Contact SAS@brown.edu for more information. In the Science Library, take the stairs to the basement, go left and back towards the Mac computers, and it is on the right (it has a glass door and front walls).