Accessibility Tools for Students

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In today's digital learning environment, accessibility isn't just a bonus - it's essential. Whether you're navigating course materials, preparing assignments, or revising for exams, having access to tools that support diverse learning needs can make all the difference. 

To help the Queen Mary community understand the importance of accessibility from the student perspective, our TELT student ambassadors have developed an amazing set of resources, demonstrating how they use technology for assistive purposes and what a difference having accessible content can make. 

Read on to find out what resources are available to you that promote inclusive education. 

Sensus Access: Convert Your Documents with Ease

Ever struggled with scanned PDFs or wished you could listen to your typed lecture notes on the go? Sensus Access is here to help. 

What is it? 

Sensus Access is a free tool for QM students and staff that converts documents into alternative formats - including mp3 audio files, e-books, accessible PDFs, and even Braille. 

What can you convert? 

• Files (Word documents, PDFs, PowerPoint slides, image files)
• Websites (using a URL)
• Typed (or copied and pasted) text

How can I access it? 

You can access Sensus Access in several ways. 

1. Via the Disability and Dyslexia Services (DDS) website.

2. Via your profile in QMplus.

3. From your module areas in QMplus using the Brickfield icon - via your web browser or your mobile device. 

Our student ambassadors show you how to do this: 

How are other students using it?

In this video, one of the ambassadors shows us how she uses Q-Review transcripts to create an e-book for revision purposes. 

Microsoft Accessibility Tools

Creating accessible content isn't just for staff, it will help you too. Particularly if you want to utilise Sensus Access - the more accessible the original document, the better the conversion. 

The student ambassadors have also created a short guide on using the built-in accessibility features within Microsoft. The guide covers smart features, the accessibility checker, and pro formatting tips. 

Microsoft Accessibility Tools [PDF 792KB]

Next time you're working on a document, take a moment to use these features. 

What Next? 

Start small: run the Accessibility Checker the next time you use Word or PowerPoint. Try using the Read Aloud feature to proofread your written work. Add alt text to images. 

These simple steps can make a big impact - not just for you, but for anyone who might access your work. 

Take action today: bookmark this article so you can easily find the resources again, or try watching the Digital Accessibility Playlist via QMplus Media. Share these tips with your peers - accessibility benefits everyone. 

By embracing these tools, you're not just improving your own learning experience, you're helping to build a more inclusive university community.