Everyone needs a little help sometimes

Welcome. Use this Accessibility Hub to join the dots when you need help or support at Box Hill Institute. 

Watch this short video to get an idea of what the Hub can do for you.

On this page

We'd love to hear your suggestions and ideas. Don't keep it to yourself!

Read this page more easily

Hear this page spoken aloud

  • PC: The simplest method is to use Immersive Reader in the Microsoft Edge browser. Select the screen reader iconicon on the right of the address bar.
  • Mac: To enable VoiceOver use the key combination Command + F5.  Or, if you have a Touch Bar, press and hold Command then press Touch ID  3 times.
  • Further options are explored in Text-to-speech (screen readers).

Increase text size

The quickest method is a keyboard shortcut:

  • PC:  To zoom in, select Ctrl + plus key (+).  To zoom out, select Ctrl + minus key (-).  Alternatively select Ctrl + scroll wheel up/down.
  • Mac:To zoom in, select Option + Command + plus key (+).  To zoom out, select Option + Command + minus key (-).
  • Further options are explored in Magnify screen display

Getting help on campus

An equitable and inclusive experience is your right under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Disability Standards for Education 2005.

Read on to find out what accessibility support is available at Box Hill Institute (BHI) and how you can access it.

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Assistive technology

Assistive technology is equipment, devices or software programs that help you do things you can’t do because of your disability. It can also help you do something more easily or safely.

Equipment

Contact the Accessibility Liaison Service if you think any of the following could help you:

Icon (font awesome or image) Description
Marker icon
Weighted pen to grip and write more easily
Pen icon
Reader pen (C-PEN) to hear text read out loud with a digital voice

Trackball mouse to operate with less fine motor control than a standard mouse

Large-key keyboard to locate and operate larger keys that are further apart
Chair icon
Ergonomic chair to sit comfortably by offering multiple adjustments
desk icon
Adjustable-height tables to allow wheelchair access or standing

Angled writing board to place your wrist and hand in the best position for handwriting

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Software

Windows, Mac and Office 365 built-in tools

Microsoft and Apple have basic accessibility tools you can use without installing special programs.
Students and staff at BHI can use Office 365 for free. It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams and more.
Take a look at 
Setup Office 365 to get started.
Choose from one of the display options below:
Image/icon Title Description Links (List required)
Windows and mac icon
Windows and Mac built-in tools
Microsoft and Apple have basic accessibility tools you can use without installing special programs.
Literacy aids
These aids help with reading and writing.
Mouse/keyboard training software
This software helps you improve your skills using the computer's mouse and keyboard.  Plus, a special dyslexia font.
Screen reader software
This software reads out text that is on a screen.
Picture symbol software and resources
These tools can help you communicate and understand.
Communication software
This software can help with speaking and writing, and save you time.
Personal organisation tools
These tools will help you get organised.
Sensory software
This software helps with things that affect your senses, like seeing and feeling.
Image/icon Title Description Links (Lists required)
Physical–Fine Motor
This software can help with fine motor skills, when you need to make small hand or wrist movements.
Sensory–Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Software, such as text-to-speech readers and captioning software helps when you can't hear.
Independent learning skills
Software to help you be an independent learner.
Speech/Communication
Software to help with speech and communication.
Sensory–Vision
Software or software adjustments using accessibility features can make your screen easier to view or read out what is on it .
Dyslexia icon
Dyslexia

Software to help you if you have reading and writing difficulties.

Image/icon Title Description Links (Lists required)
Literacy development software/apps Includes: Accessibility features in Microsoft Office 365;  ReadWrite by TextHelp application.
Mac OS Accessibility tools Includes: Mac built-in Accessibility tools;  Mac Keyboard shortcuts.
Magnify screen display Includes: Windows Magnifier;  zooming in/out in your internet browser;  Windows settings for increasing text size;  Zoom settings for Mac.
Organisational software Includes: Glean Note Taking application.
Picture symbol software/apps Includes: Voice4U AAC smart phone app;  COMPIC Image Library for PC.
Screen colour schemes and filters Includes: Colour settings for your monitor; Physical colour overlay sheets; Windows colour settings; Colour settings in Microsoft Word; Use Dark Reader to change the display colour in Microsoft Edge; Dyslex.ie colour overlay for Google Chrome; ColorVeil app to change screen display.
Speech-to-text software (dictation) Includes: Windows dictation;  Dictation in Word, OneNote and PowerPoint;  Voice Typing in Google Docs;  Dictation on your Apple Mac;  Dragon Naturally Speaking.
Text-to-speech (screen readers) Includes: Immersive Reader for Microsoft Edge and Office 365;  Windows Narrator;  Apple VoiceOver;  NVDA;  JAWS;  Microsoft Lens.
Closed captions
Transcription and captions (subtitles) Includes: Microsoft Teams accessibility options;  Video accessibility options, and video settings.  
Typing software and font Includes: Learn to type properly - including for students with Dyslexia; special font for dyslexia; Bionic Reading.  
Windows Ease of Access tools Includes: Windows built-in Ease of Access tools;  Keyboard shortcuts; other Microsoft Accessibility tools.  

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Video guide to software tools

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Last modified: Monday, 4 December 2023, 8:38 AM