Getting Started with AssisT
Install AssisT and discover accessibility features personalized to your learning style.
Welcome to AssisT
AssisT is an adaptive accessibility extension for Chrome that helps you read, write, and learn more effectively. With 35+ features organized into intuitive sections, you can customize your browsing experience to match your unique needs.
Not sure where to start? Take our 2-minute Discovery Quiz to find the perfect tools for you.
Discover Your Tools →Installation
From Chrome Web Store
- Visit the AssisT Chrome Web Store page (coming soon)
- Click Add to Chrome
- Confirm the installation when prompted
- The AssisT icon appears in your browser toolbar
First Steps
Opening the Extension
Click the AssisT icon in your Chrome toolbar. You’ll see:
- Quick Start presets at the top for common needs
- Feature sections organized by category
- Settings button (gear icon) for advanced options
Quick Start Presets
Get started instantly with one-click presets:
| Preset | Best For | What It Enables |
|---|---|---|
| ADHD Focus | Staying on task | Pomodoro timer, progress bar, simplified interface |
| Dyslexia Support | Easier reading | OpenDyslexic font, wide spacing, reading progress |
| Low Stimuli | Reducing overwhelm | No animations, muted colors, media blocking |
Click any preset to apply it instantly.
Extension Layout
AssisT organizes features into 9 sections that match your popup:
- Reading Help — TTS, OCR, Reading Mode, Dyslexia Mode
- Writing Help — Speech-to-Text, Annotations
- Look Up Words — Dictionary, Translation, Highlight Menu
- Reading Aids — Reading Guide, Focus Mode, Progress Bar, Magnifier
- Pointer & Zoom — Custom Cursor, Screen Zoom
- Visual Comfort — Dark Mode, Overlays, Text Customization
- Productivity — Pomodoro Timer, Simplified Interface
- School Tools — Citations, LMS Helpers (Canvas, Moodle, Google Classroom)
- AI Assist — Smart summarization, simplification, and more
Each section can be expanded or collapsed. You can also reorganize and hide sections in Organize Mode (click the grid icon in the header).
Features That Need Enabling
Most features are visible but disabled by default to respect your preferences. Features that require enabling include:
- Text-to-Speech (TTS) — Toggle on in Reading Help
- Speech-to-Text (STT) — Toggle on in Writing Help
- Dark Mode — Toggle on in Visual Comfort
- Focus Mode — Toggle on in Reading Aids
Once enabled, features work automatically on all websites.
Essential Keyboard Shortcuts
These shortcuts work once you’ve enabled the related feature:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+Shift+Space | Play/Pause TTS |
Alt+O | Screenshot for OCR |
Alt+R | Toggle Reading Mode |
Alt+Shift+D | Dictionary lookup |
Alt+F | Toggle Focus Mode |
Alt+G | Toggle Reading Guide |
See all shortcuts in Keyboard Shortcuts Reference.
Next Steps
Choose your path:
- New user? → Take the Discovery Quiz
- Know what you need? → Browse the Tutorials for your section
- Power user? → Check out User Profiles for advanced configuration
For Educators & Parents
Setting up AssisT for students:
- Install the extension on the student’s Chrome browser
- Have them take the Discovery Quiz or select an appropriate Quick Start preset
- Review the recommended features together
- Features sync automatically if Chrome Sync is enabled
Privacy assurance: All settings are stored locally. No personal data leaves the device unless you opt into cloud AI features (which are completely optional).
Need Help?
- Browse our Troubleshooting guide for common issues
- Check Browser Compatibility for system requirements