Oct. 6, 2025
New hands-on workshop series to educate students about assistive technology
(SAS) has introduced a new hands-on initiative to help students explore the benefits of assistive technology. The , launched in mid-September, is a peer-led series of drop-in workshops open to all U荔枝视频 students who may be interested.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no need to sign up, provide documentation, or have a formal diagnosis [to attend STAR Program sessions],鈥 says Monica Kelly, assistive services and technology advisor with SAS. 鈥淭he aim is to help students explore various assistive technologies to find the tools that best support their learning styles and needs.鈥
What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology can be as simple as noise-cancelling earbuds or blue light鈥搑educing screens, or as advanced as specialized hardware and software. The STAR Program provides access to premium tools such as:
鈥 Notability and Genio for note-taking
鈥 Natural Reader and Read&Write for text-to-speech
鈥 Kurzweil to support test preparation and learning
Peer supporters are on hand to guide fellow students in trying out these tools, answering questions, and sharing strategies for using them effectively in their learning.
Gallery
Some of the tools you can try with the STAR Program.
Fostering a supportive, inclusive campus community
In addition to hands-on learning, STAR helps promote healthy dialogue about accessibility on campus. Through STAR, students are encouraged to share experiences, build confidence, and normalize the use of assistive tools as part of their academic success. 鈥淭his program also promotes peer mentorship to foster relationship building and to help boost confidence when using these technologies,鈥 Kelly says.
The STAR Program runs daily throughout the semester on a drop-in basis. Visit the for hours and details.
About Student Accessibility Services
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) supports an inclusive learning environment at the U荔枝视频 by providing guidance, resources and programs to support student accessibility needs.
The Nat Christie Adaptive Technology Centre (MSC 456) is an inclusive study space within SAS that is open to all students. It鈥檚 also home to the Student Technology Assistant and Resource (STAR) Program.