Assistive Technology Initiative Office
ATI
The Assistive Technology Initiative (ATI) operates under the Office of Equity & Diversity Services, reporting directly to the ADA Coordinator. The ATI works collaboratively with other units within the Mason community to develop and coordinate implementation of a university-wide plan to ensure equivalent access for individuals with disabilities to information technology and communications. This is achieved through the use of adaptive equipment and the provision of technical assistance to all university departments/units. The ATI also provides training and technical support to the university community regarding equivalent access to information technology and compliance with the Virginia Information Technology Accessibility (VITA) Standards, which covers web accessibility. The VITA standards are based on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Additionally, the ATI manages the production of accessible text and media for individuals with disabilities who require equal access to the university curriculum and other resources.
Read & Write Gold
Free Software at Mason
The ATI has purchased a University Wide site license for Read and Write Gold by Texthelp for PC & Mac. In addition to finding this software on most computer labs and the VCL (Virtual Computing Lab), ATI has provided an "at home" license making it possible for anyone with a Mason ID to access the software for FREE through Blackboard at home or on the go from any computer! For more information about Read & Write Gold, visit the Training section of this website: Reading, Writing and Studying Tools.
Instructional Video for Downloading Read & Write Gold through Blackboard:
Visit our Reading, Writing and Studying Tools page for information and a video on how to download Read & Write Gold.Mission Statement
Our mission is to help provide individuals with disabilities an accessible university environment by supporting access to all technological, architectural, and educational resources available at George Mason University through the incorporation of assistive technologies, the provision of technical support, and the development of university-wide strategies for universal access.
COMING EVENTS
Summer Training Schedule- Fairfax Campus (Location TBD) Times: 1:00-4:00 PM
For Mason Department Web Accessibility Testing: Please submit the Web Accessibility Site Evaluation Form. Fill out all information with an asterisk (*). The information
will be submitted to our ATI office email and we will respond shortly.
For Students and Employees with a Web Accessibility Issue to report: Please submit the Web Accessibility Access Issue Form.
You can choose to remain anonymous. However, all of the information
with an asterisk (*) will need to be completed with as much detail as
possible. The information will be submitted to our ATI office email and
we will respond as soon as possible.