The Assistive Technology Initiative (ATI) makes Mason's extensive educational materials accessible to those with disabilities.
ATI assesses student and staff needs, trains clients to use adaptive technology, provides technical assistance, and trains university employees on how to make technology accessible.
We also manage the production of accessible media, as well as ensure Section 508 Web Compliance, providing an equal and accessible web experience for those who use assistive technology and students taking distance education courses.
Services For Faculty and Staff:
- Provision of accessible media (closed captioning and audio description for videos).
- Web accessibility training and support.
- Web accessibility testing for all Mason websites and classroom web-based tools.
- Training and support on creating accessible materials (documents, videos, etc.).
- Distance education accessibility course audits.
- Informal assistive technology assessments and training (walk-ins or referrals).
- Provision of accessible text for those with print-related disabilities (by referral from the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator).
- Training on the use of Read & Write (software is free to the Mason community).
- Provision of other resources for accessible technology.
Explore our Creating Accessible RESources (CARES) Guide for more information about creating accessible instructional content.
Services for Students Include:
- Training and support on Read & Write software, mobile apps and other applications.
- Informal assistive technology assessments and training (walk-ins or referrals).
- Provision of accessible text for those with print-related disabilities (by referral from Disability Services).
- Maintenance of Assistive Technology Labs in campus University Libraries.
- Technical assistance for Information Technology Services and library personnel.
- Access to free scanning station (by appointment).
ATI works with Information Technology Services and Disability Services, as well as academic and administrative departments/units, faculty, and University Libraries to accommodate the needs of students, staff, and faculty with disabilities.
For more information about ATI and their services, visit https://ati.gmu.edu or contact ati@gmu.edu.