Student Resources

Disability and Accessibility Services provides a variety of tools, alternative formats, and institutional resources to help you customize your learning environment and navigate campus life effectively.

Campus Resources and Accessibility

Academic Support: Student Success Central, Math Lab, Writing Studio, instructor office hours, TA hours.

Campus Life and Basic Needs: Campus Case Manager, Campus Christian Center, Housing, HEART (Health Education Advocacy Resource Team)

Health and Wellness: Counseling Services, Student Health, Thrive!

Other Campus Partners: Labor Office, Financial Aid, Registrar, Public Safety

Document and Content Accessibility

Need to turn an unreadable scanned PDF into a clear Word document? Or convert a heavy textbook chapter into an audio MP3 you can listen to while walking to class? 

Berea College provides SensusAccess, a free, automated self-service tool that converts your educational materials into formats that work best for your learning style. Use your official @berea.edu email address to upload and convert your files instantly. Upload your documents to SensusAccess.

If you are creating documents, presentations, videos, or course materials for a class, student group, or labor position, use these quick guides and free tools to ensure your content is inclusive to everyone.

Documents & Presentations

  • Microsoft Word & PowerPoint: Instead of external guides, use the built-in software tools. Simply go to the Review tab in Word or PowerPoint and click Check Accessibility to find and fix barriers instantly.

  • Official Quick Guides: Review the official Microsoft Accessibility Center or the Adobe Acrobat PDF Remediation Guide for step-by-step styling tips.

Video & Captioning Support

  • Built-In Platform Tools: The fastest way to caption is directly inside your hosting platform. Learn how to Edit Captions in YouTube or Manage Captions on Vimeo.

  • Free Captioning Tools: If you need to generate a subtitle file from scratch, tools like Amara.org provide a clean, free browser interface to sync text with your video.

  • DAS Third-Party Support: If you have an automatically generated transcript or caption file with significant errors, please contact DAS staff.

Bonus: Free Accessibility Training

  • KSARN (Kansas Accessibility Resources Network): Access KSARN Training Courses. Anyone with a higher education email can register for 10 free, on-demand courses ranging from basic document layout to video accessibility and impairment awareness.
  • The 7 Core Skills: Check out the University of Minnesota’s ultra-simple Start with 7 Core Skills Guide for a quick mental checklist on headings, alt-text, and link descriptions.

Free & Low-Cost Assistive Technology Apps

  • NaturalReader (Free/Premium): A powerful text-to-speech app and browser extension that reads PDFs, web pages, and eBooks aloud with natural-sounding voices.

  • Speechify (Free/Premium): Converts physical books, documents, and articles into audio screen-reads. Great for listening on your phone while walking across campus.

  • BeeLine Reader (Free Extension): Uses a subtle color gradient to guide your eyes through dense text, which accelerates reading speed and improves focus for students with ADHD or dyslexia.

  • Otter.ai (Free Basic): An AI-powered transcription tool that records audio and automatically generates smart, searchable lecture notes and transcripts in real time.

  • Grammarly (Free with berea.edu address): Goes beyond standard spellcheck to assist with tone, structural clarity, and advanced grammar remediation while writing essays.

  • Built-in Dictation: Use Microsoft Voice Typing (Windows Key + H) or Apple Dictation (double-press Fn key) to dictate text directly into any open document.

  • OneNote (Free via Berea Office 365): A multi-platform digital binder that allows you to embed audio recordings directly next to your typed lecture slides and typed notes.

  • Goblin.tools (Free Web/App): A brilliant, zero-cost AI tool designed for neurodivergent individuals that breaks down overwhelming assignments into granular, step-by-step checklists.

  • XMind or MindMeister (Free Basic): Visual brainstorming tools that turn disorganized thoughts, research ideas, and dense concepts into structured visual maps.

  • Forest (Free/$3.99): A gamified focus timer where staying off your phone grows a virtual tree. If you leave the app to check social media, your tree dies.

  • Focusmate (Free Basic): Provides virtual, quiet body-doubling sessions with a remote partner to ensure accountability during intensive study blocks.

  • Cold Turkey / Freedom (Free Basic): Website and app blockers that lock you out of distracting social media feeds or games during designated study hours.

  • Be My Eyes (Free): Connects blind or low-vision users with a global network of sighted volunteers and AI tools to assist with real-time visual interpretation via video call.

  • Live Transcribe (Free on Android/iOS): Provides real-time, highly accurate speech-to-text captioning for spoken conversations or group discussions.

  • Seeing AI (Free on iOS): A talking camera app from Microsoft that instantly scans and narrates short text, documents, product barcodes, and environmental currency.