Discover Your AT: A Handy Resource for Staff and Students

When it comes to assistive technology (AT), the sheer number of options can feel a bit overwhelming. What’s the best tool for note-taking? How do you pick the right app for focus and time management? And most importantly, how do you even begin to figure out what works best for you?

That’s where Discover Your AT comes in. Created by AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access and Disability), this brilliant resource helps both staff and students explore a wide range of assistive technologies in a quick and user-friendly way. It’s not just a list of tools; it’s an interactive guide to finding the right tech solutions to meet different needs.

What is Discover Your AT?

Discover Your AT is an online resource that categorises assistive technologies based on the specific challenges users face. Whether you’re a student looking for a tool to help with organisation or a staff member trying to make your teaching materials more accessible, this tool provides tailored suggestions for:

• Note-taking
• Time management
• Reading and writing support
• Focus and concentration
• Collaboration tools

With just a few clicks, you can discover tools and software to make learning and teaching easier, more efficient, and more inclusive.

Why Should Students Use It?

For students, the beauty of Discover Your AT lies in its simplicity. You don’t need to be an expert in technology to find what you need. If you’re struggling with keeping up in lectures, for example, the tool might recommend software like Otter.ai for transcription or Sonocent Audio Notetaker for capturing and organising your notes. Need help focusing? Tools like Forest or Focus@Will might pop up as suggestions. It’s like having a personalised tech advisor at your fingertips.

How Can Staff Benefit?

For staff, Discover Your AT is a great way to explore technology that can make your teaching more accessible and effective. It’s particularly useful if you’re working with students who have additional needs, but it’s just as relevant for designing learning experiences that benefit everyone. For instance, if you’re creating lecture materials, the tool might point you to text-to-speech apps like Speechify or organisational tools like Trello to make content delivery and planning more engaging.

How to Get Started

Using Discover Your AT is super straightforward:

1. Head to the Discover Your AT website: https://www.ahead.ie/Discover-your-AT
2. Choose a category that aligns with your challenge or need (e.g., note-taking, focus, etc.).
3. Browse through tailored recommendations and try out some tools that catch your eye.

Final Thoughts

Discover Your AT isn’t just about introducing you to new apps and software; it’s about empowerment. It’s about giving you the knowledge and confidence to choose the tools that work best for your needs. Whether you’re a student juggling assignments or a lecturer looking to make your classes more inclusive, this resource has something for everyone.

Why not give it a try today? You might just discover the perfect tool to make your work or studies a little bit easier!

Support Channels 

• Assistive Technology Teams Channel: Join for real-time support, updates, and discussions.
• For more information and guidance on supporting students with assistive technology, please contact the Assistive Technology Coordinator.

• IT Helpdesk: For licensing issues or technical support, reach out to the QUB IT Helpdesk.