Kurzweil 3000:

Use the Kurzweil 3000 reader to translate text into spoken word for books unavailable on tape.

Inspiration:

Use Inspiration to get your ideas into a graphic brainstorming web.  Then automatically create a linear outline of your brainstorming.

Dragon Naturally Speaking:

Use Dragon to dictate your rough drafts and brainstorming.  Dragon Naturally Speaking is a speech to text program.

Books on Tape:

Allow several weeks to secure books on tape.  Be sure to go to the College Store and obtain a list of textbooks with title, author, publisher, and edition from the professor or College Store.  Check the website -  http://www.rfbd.org  to see if the book is read on tape.  See if an earlier edition will suffice if the later edition is unavailable.