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Digital Support

Digital Support 

From SISweb for registration, to the Brightspace virtual learning environment, technology is a core component of student life. We understand that this can be a big change for many learners, and UCD Access & Lifelong Learning offers a wide range of digital supports and training for all students. Whether you are new to using technology for learning or looking to use new digital tools, there is support available for you.

What Digital Support can I receive? 

The Digital Ambassadors are a team of friendly and knowledgeable Access Leaders who can assist all students in UCD gain the technology skills they need to succeed. The Digital Ambassadors meet weekly and help answer queries relating to the day-to-day digital tools you will use in UCD such as Brightspace (virtual learning environment), Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint and PDFs.

The Assistive Technology service is based within the Disability Team. Assistive technologies are a range of tools that can benefit your learning, ranging from software for reading and writing, to equipment to support visual impairments and hearing disabilities.

SensusAccess is a tool which can convert files into another format that better suit your learning needs. This might include converting written material into an audio file or converting written files into a file which can be used with other assistive technology. 

Ally is a Brightspace feature that allows you to download course materials in the format which best meets your needs.

What is Digital Accessibility?

It is important to understand that we all access information in different ways. This could be via a laptop, a phone, or a tablet. Equally, it could be with the support of a piece of assistive technology, for instance a screen-reader or read-aloud software. Some of us may rely on visual means to take in information, whereas others require audio. Digital accessibility ensures that we can all access the same content in a clear and consistent format that best suits our individual needs.

In this section you will find support for teaching staff on how to produce accessible teaching materials, including Ally for Brightspace, and tools for students to engage with learning materials in an accessible way.

UCD is a University for All, and strives for inclusion in all areas of University life. For more information on our institutional commitment to digital accessibility, please visit our accessibility statement.

Some helpful resources on Accessibility:

Digital Ambassadors

"Hi we are your Digital Ambassadors Divine, Mohammad and Roisin. No question is too small so please drop in to see us with all your technical queries. We would be so happy to see you! We are available 1:00pm-2:00pm every Wednesday during term-time."

UCD Access and Lifelong Learning facilitate the Digital Ambassador programme to help all students in UCD gain the skills they need with technology to succeed. This support is part of our University for All promoting student inclusion in UCD. Our digital ambassadors are undergraduate students and Access Leaders here in UCD. They will answer your individual questions and follow up with additional instructions/guides, as necessary.

Come to the Access and Lifelong Learning Centre every Wednesday 1:00pm -2:00pm during term time to have your digital or technical queries answered. Alternatively, you can complete the form below in advance and we will let our Digital Ambassadors know the type of query you have so they will be prepared. (You can also come along without completing the form, so don't worry if you don't have time to do it in advance!). Click here for useful resources created by our Digital Ambassadors.

SensusAccess is a file conversion tool which uses a simple webform. SensusAccess allows you to convert files into the format which is most accessible and useful to you. This might be lecture notes into an mp3 to listen to on the go, scanned book pages into searchable PDFs to be used with text to speech software, or lecture slides into text to be read and adjusted on an E-Reader. SensusAccess supports text in multiple languages and can be a great resource for language learning - why not try listening along with your readings!

UCD Access and Lifelong Learning

University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
T: +353 1 716 7123