1. The Technological
World of Students
with Disabilities In
Classrooms
By: Cheryl Graff
MSU Katrina Tagget Fellow 2014-2015

2. INTRODUCTION
Michigan State University
takes great pride in its
commitment to be an
institution that provides
accessible materials and is
inclusive to all people.

3. SECTION 1 : RECORDING
In college classroom settings students with disabilities may use
digital recording devices. These types of tools allow for students
to read, write, and record their notes in class.

4. Livescribe Smartpen
 A pen that records everything you hear and write.
 Helps students with disabilities who struggle
processing a lot of information all at once in lecture
classes.
 Stress free note taking in the classroom

5. Information For Instructors
 Some students with disabilities might prefer to use
recording programs are available on their computers
or tablet devices, because they can compensate for
handwriting issues
 Notability for iPads
 OneNote for PC computers
 Microsoft Word Notebook Layout for Mac computers

6. SECTION 2: Note Taking
When students with disabilities are required to take extensive
notes for a course some individuals may prefer to use free
programs that can capture and save notes on computers and
tablets.

7. Free Programs for Note Taking
Two Programs:
 Evernote
 Dropbox
Features of Evernote and Dropbox:
 Clipping web articles, uploading audio recordings,
capturing handwritten notes or typed documents, and
snapping photos

8. Information for Instructors
 If you are concerned with a student’s note taking in
your course, or would like to provide assistance to a
student, he or she can share their items in Evernote
and Dropbox on their computer and over the web.

9. SECTION 3: Accessibility of
PDFs, Scan documents, and
Textbooks
Many college classes today require students to use textbooks and
be able to read articles in order to think critically about a variety of
material in their majors.

10. Accessibility
 An issue students with disabilities encounter in the
classroom is accessibility of articles and textbooks
 Students with learning disabilities often will need
textbooks and articles to be read a loud to them
 Ensures quality and maximum participation in the
classroom

11. Accessibility: Adobe Systems
 Converts documents, forms, graphics, and web
pages into PDFs or portable document formats so
that they look just like they would if they are printed
 Contains links and buttons
 Can be read using Adobe Reader or text-to-speech
software such as a screen reader or Natural Reader.

12. Information for Instructors
 It is recommended to use a word document version of an
article or textbook over a PDF file for the following
reasons:
 Visually impaired individuals - access text of articles or
textbooks on a word document with a screen reader
 Word documents are always accessible
 Microsoft Word’s built in heading style (main headings,
sub headings, and main ideas) can be split up.

13. Video: How To Make a PDF
Accessible
For a demonstration of
how to make a PDF
accessible click on the
video link that was sent
with this presentation.

14. Conclusion
Thank you for watching this presentation. I hope as an MSU
faculty member you have learned valuable information that will
help your students with disabilities maximize their ability and
opportunity in the classroom.

15. Credits
Special Thanks:
Mike Hudson
Liza Reynolds
Darryl Steele
MSU Resource Center for Persons With Disabilities
MSU Tower Guard Members:
Tina Alati ,Hannah Hull, and Emma Weil