Resources

For students with disabilities, having the right tools and resources is essential for a truly inclusive and successful experience. The good news is that a wealth of online accessibility resources exists to support your learning journey. While the landscape of options can seem vast, those listed below are the tools we are particularly familiar with and highly recommend due to their effectiveness and ease of use. These resources have proven valuable in fostering accessible online environments and empowering students to engage fully with their coursework. 

Narrator 

• built-in e-reader for Microsoft Windows OS 

• Complete Guide to Narrator 

VoiceOver  

• built-in e-reader for Mac OS 

• VoiceOver User Guide 

Microsoft OneNote 

• Compatible with PC/MAC/Android/iOS 

• Note-taking and recording/transcription software  

• Available at no cost to all Albright students via Microsoft 365 Copilot (formerly Office 365) 

• Introducing OneNote 

NaturalReader 

• Google Chrome extension e-reader  

• Natural Reader Personal Version 

• Free version available. 

• Paid version (NaturalReader Plus) available. 

JAWS (Job Access With Speech) 

• Screen reader software for Microsoft Windows that allows blind and visually impaired users to access computer content through text-to-speech or Braille displays 

• Paid subscriptions available 

Study Fetch 

• AI platform that generates study sets, flashcards, notes, practice tests, and other study tools from your course material (e.g., PDFs, YouTube videos, PowerPoints, and uploads from Canvas, Quizlet, and Google Docs 

• Compatible with PC/MAC/Android/iOS 

• Integration with Canvas 

• Free version available 

• Paid version available 

Jamworks 

• AI platform that creates notes, summaries, audio highlights, and more from your recorded lectures 

• Compatible with PC/MAC/Android/iOS 

• Free version 

• Pro version available 

The transition to college can be rewarding and challenging for you and your student. With regard to the challenges, it is important to keep in mind that in a few years, your student will earn a college degree. It is important to help high school students grow into mature, successful college graduates. This process is not easy, and your student will frequently ask you for help, guidance, and support. Fortunately, Albright offers an array of academic and support services for students, through a variety of campus departments. 

Students with disabilities are often reluctant to request support or accommodations. Many students say that they don’t want to be “labeled”  like they were in high school. Others want to try things on their own at first. If your student is reluctant to apply, please ask them to reach out to our office before making a decision about accommodations in college. Students often feel relieved when they learn that receiving accommodations in college is different from their high school IEPs and 504s.  For example, students with disabilities are not required to take special courses or go to a resource room. Students choose which professors receive their Academic Accommodation Letter (AAL), and their diagnosis is not disclosed in this letter. The professor is only told what accommodation(s) the student is approved for. 

Students with disabilities, like all students, face an increase in their freedoms and responsibilities in college. The staff at the Student Accessibility & Advocacy office are happy to meet with incoming or enrolled students, answer questions, and provide guidance. We will partner with your student and teach them how to self-advocate and navigate academic accommodations in college. We realize that some incoming students will need help from their parents to collect documentation for their accommodations application; however, your student needs to be our primary contact. Incoming students need to learn how to communicate the barriers related to their disability, and they must learn to be responsible for utilizing the support, guidance, and resources that Albright offers.  

The process starts with your student self-identifying and sharing appropriate and confidential documentation with the Student Accessibility & Advocacy Office. It can be tempting for parents to complete the application for the student. You can help your student by providing documentation for them to upload and by encouraging them through the process; however, we have found that if a student doesn’t own the process, they won’t use approved accommodations. Because of this, we ask that you please resist any urge to complete the application for your student. We need to know that the student is the person requesting accommodations, and we want them to share their experiences with us. It is more helpful for them to answer the questions in their own words, even if there are grammatical errors and partial sentences. They know themselves, and their perspective is valuable. 

If you are interested in learning more about students with disabilities and their transition from high school to college, please read the transition guide from the Department of Education. 

Please encourage your student to make an appointment to meet with us. 

At Albright College, we’re dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive learning environment for all students, including those with visible and/or invisible disabilities. We strive to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive both academically and personally. 

It’s important to remember that many students with disabilities might not share that information with us. Making course materials accessible ensures that every student, whether they disclose their needs or not, has equitable access to the exceptional education Albright has to offer. 

Within the Reading and Berks County region, numerous dedicated organizations are committed to empowering students with disabilities and their families. These resources can provide assistance with various aspects, including assistive technologies, advocacy, support networks, and information on specific disabilities.

To explore the specific services offered by each organization and to determine how they can best support your individual needs, we strongly encourage you to visit their respective websites. Each website contains detailed information about their mission, the scope of their services, eligibility criteria, contact information, and how to access their support. By directly checking their web pages, you will gain the most accurate and up-to-date understanding of how these local resources can be a valuable asset in your educational experience.

Listed below are several resources local to the Reading PA area that may be useful to students with disabilities. Please follow the links to each office’s web page for more information regarding services offered.

Where can you look for adult assessments?

• State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies have services for individuals with disabilities, and some offer adult evaluations for learning disabilities.

• A private psychologist or clinic

• Rehabilitation Services Agencies

• Community mental health centers

• If you’re struggling to find a place to be assessed, your LDA State Affiliate may be able to help you find a local resource.