Assistive Technology and Web Resources
Text to speech software
ReadPlease 2003
The free edition of ReadPlease 2003 reads text via Windows clipboard from any program; voice speed (rate) and size of font can be adjusted. The voices are fairly clear, but robotic.
Text Aloud
TextAloud2 is Text to Speech software that converts your text from MS Word Documents, Emails, Web Pages and PDF Files into natural-sounding speech. You can listen on your PC or create audio (MP3) files for use on portable devices like iPods, MP3 players and CD players. Highlights as it reads. Free 15 day demo. The voice it comes with is decent, the optimal AT & T voices cost extra. Cost is approximately $32 for the software, plus $25 for AT & T voices if you want them.
Adobe Reader
Adobe Reader is not text to speech software, but it comes with a built-in read aloud feature (under View Menu) that will read PDF documents aloud. The voice is quite robotic and there are no additional features (such as highlighting the text), but it is free.
Speech to text software
Dragon Naturally Speaking (for Windows),
MacSpeech Dictate (for Mac OS)
Windows 7 (for PC)
www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking
Create and edit documents or emails using speech. Open and close applications. Control your mouse and entire desktop. Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred is the version most recommended for students with disabilities. Price varies depending on version and where purchased. $150 - $300. AT-BC has information about the use and installation of both DNS and MacSpeech Dictate at their website under the Learning Centre tab
www.at-bc.ca/learningcentre.html
Productivity/study skill software
OpenOffice
Free office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, and databases. It is available in many languages and works on all common computers. It can also read and write files from other common office software packages such as Word. It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge.
MyStudyBar
MyStudyBar is free. It is a floating toolbar consisting of a set of portable open source and freeware applications, assembled into one package. It can help overcome problems that students commonly experience with studying, reading and writing.
MyStudyBar has 6 sections; examples include: Xmind for planning and organization; T-Bar for customising font and colour backgrounds; Lingoes for when you need a talking dictionary; LetMeType for help with text input, and Balabolka for converting text to audio. There’s even a speech-to-text app which allows you to talk to your computer (only for Vista and Windows 7 users).
MyStudyBar can be saved to and launched from a USB drive, so does not require installation on individual computers.
Kurzweil
Kurzweil 3000 is comprehensive reading, writing and study skill software for students who struggle with reading and writing. It is expensive (approximately $1500 single license). Sometimes provided by AT BC if a student is eligible. Watch product overview videos or download a demo version at the Kurzweil website.
Read and Write Gold
This software is designed to assist students and individuals of all ages who require extra assistance when reading or composing text. Sometimes provided by AT BC if a student is eligible. Visit the website to view a demo video or request a demo DVD.
Mr. Kent's Typing Tutor
MrKentstyping tutor (http://www.mrkent.com/kb/keyboard.htm)
Free on-line typing tutor for beginningn keyboarders.
Bruce’s Unusual Typing Tutor Wizard
download.cnet.com/Bruce-s-Unusual-Typing-Wizard/3000-2051_4-10219467.html
A typing program with several useful features including the ability to add your own text for practice typing.
Concept Mapping software
Inspiration
Inspiration is useful for visual mapping, outlining, writing and making presentations. Easily add graphics as a way to assist with remembering key ideas; quickly convert mind map diagrams to an outline format for written assignments. 30 day free demo available for download. Cost is approximately $70 US.
Bubbl.us
Bubbl.us is a simple and free web application that lets you brainstorm online. You can create colour mind maps on-line, save them as an image, email or print them.
Screen magnification
Desktop Zoom Screen Magnifier
users.telenet.be/littlegems/MySoft/DesktopZoom
A free zoom/magnify program with lots of options: Completely portable and doesn't need admin privileges to use in lab. Zoom an area around the mouse, zoom a fixed window or zoom the entire desktop; use the mouse inside the zoomed window; use the mouse wheel or arrow keys to adjust the magnification strength.
My Visbar
MyVisBar is a floating toolbar (similar to commercial products) with a range of open source and freeware applications to support learners with visual impairments. The floating toolbar is a high contrast (yellow on black) toolbar which offers 6 applications; Magnify, Speech, Write, Read, Resize and Focus. MyVisBar is portable which means it can be downloaded to and launched from a USB pendrive.
ZoomText (Magnifier and Magnifier/Screen Reader)
A commercial product available from Nanopac. ZoomText Magnifier (approx. $500)enlarges and enhances everything on your computer screen, making all of your applications easy to see and use.
ZoomText Magnifier/Reader (approx. $700)allows you to see and hear what you're doing in all of your applications.
Web Resources
Access Firefox
Firefox is a free web browser (just like Explorer is a web browser). Access Firefox presents and showcases some of the accessibility tools and features that are available for, and that comes pre-installed with the Firefox web browser. Some of these include: Click Speak (text to speech), Colorful tabs (ability to make tabs specific colours for easier identification), Readability (strips the superfluous information and shows the main content in a single column of easy-to-read text), Mouseless browsing and more.
Assistive Technology BC (AT BC)
AT BC facilitates Provincially funded programs through the Ministry of Advanced Education and the Ministry of Housing and Social Development to help BC residents with permanent disabilities get the assistive technology they need for overcoming barriers to employment and post-secondary education. Check out their Learning Centre for online training videos, Tip Sheets, and other resources to learn more about adaptive software and hardware.
Resources for Digital Literature
A PDF handout produced by the PACER/Simon Technology Center that provides a list with descriptions of a number of on-line sources of electronic text and audio resources.
Internet Research and Internet Safety Tutorials
A set of free Internet tutorials to help you develop Internet research skills for your university course.
Universal Design
Diversity has become a fact of life in post-secondary institutions. More frequently than ever instructors and staff are interacting, teaching and supporting individuals who are diverse in many dimensions. Universal Design is a paradigm that can help to address the needs of students with a broad range of characteristics, abilities, disabilities and learning styles. It is a process as well as a set of guidelines and strategies that can be applied to instruction, services, information, technology and physical spaces. For more information, check out the links below: