Boucke Testing Center now Available

Test-taking can be a stressful experience for many students, but for students with documented disabilities, taking a test without the necessary assistive technology can be a monumental task to accomplish. Information Technology Services (ITS) is committed to providing equal access to information technology for all students. In collaboration with the Office of Disability Services (ODS), Classroom and Lab Computing (CLC) recently completed work on a technology-enhanced testing facility in 115 Boucke Building for use by University Park students who may need assistance when taking a test.

In addition to four workstations in the main area of the center, the facility has two private sound-reduced rooms, each equipped with the latest in assistive technologies. Some of the assistive technologies available for students to use in the new testing facility include:

• Six accessible workstations, two of which have desktops that can be raised or lowered for wheelchair accessibility.


• A special keyboard with large keys for use by those with limited mobility skills.


• Noise reducing headphones to be used with programs that read electronic text materials to the user.


• Large monitors to display magnified materials to reduce excessive scrolling for the user.


• Digital clocks/timers with easy-to-read displays for keeping up with timed tests and drills.


• A scanner to scan tests for the computer to read to the user with text to speech software programs like ZoomText and Kurzweil 3000. The ZoomText application can read text to the user or enlarge the text on the screen so the user can read it. Kurzweil 3000 uses a natural sounding synthetic speech technology to read electronic documents aloud to a user. This software program highlights the words as they are read. Also available is Dragon Naturally Speaking, a software program that converts dictated materials into text format using voice recognition technology.


• A closed-circuit monitor and camera system provides access to print and other materials. Users can adjust the size, focus, brightness, and contrast for black and white and color video modes.

Use of the 115 Boucke Building testing center is limited to those students who are registered with ODS and determined to be eligible for certain academic adjustments. Students who are eligible for ODS services are regularly encouraged to notify ODS of any new or special technology needs. According to Karen Port, examination coordinator, "the students really appreciate what we do here, which makes me feel very satisfied with my work. This is a very rewarding career."

Penn State's Assistive Technology Committee, chaired by Mary Ramsey, manager of CLC's Software Support Group, and composed of representatives from various offices, meets on a regular basis to discuss student technology requests and select appropriate systems. CLC staff are responsible for software installation and maintenance in the new testing center, as well as other assistive technology workstations on campus.

For more information on assistive technologies available at University Park, visit http://clc.its.psu.edu/AssistiveTech/.

Every Penn State campus has an office designated to provide services for students with disabilities as mandated under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Any requests for accommodations or assistance should be directed to the Office of Disability Services at 814-863-1807 (voice or TTY). Information regarding their services and policies is available online at http://www.equity.psu.edu/ods/.