Accommodations
Students with disabilities can use a variety of accommodations and assistive technology tools that target accessibility issues, depending on their challenge. Some have print disabilities and need text converted into digital format to be read aloud or altered in presentation. Some have fine and gross motor limitations and need alternate keyboards or switch access to control a computer. Others may have visual impairments and require screen readers or screen magnification. This page includes examples of effective assistive technologies that target access issues and accommodations.
Accommodations Book and Accommodations for Adult Learners by Marty Beech. Excellent resource for teachers on accommodations. Developed in Florida.
Try Free Assistive Technology for a wide variety of tools and utilities that can be used in the classroom.
- Text to Speech
- Text Scanning Software
- Alternative Keyboards
- OnScreen Keyboards
- Screen Magnifiers
- Screen Readers
- Switch Access
Text to Speech - back to top
Read and Write Gold ( Win . Mac ) from TextHelp provides text to speech support across applications. It even reads help files out loud. It includes word prediction, a talking calculator, and scanning from printed to digital text.
Natural Voice Reader ( Win ) from Natural Voice is a text to speech program that comes in a variety of flavors, including a free one. The Professional ($30.00) and Enterprise ($40.00) editions include high quality AT&T voices.
ReadPlease ( Win ) from ReadPlease is a free text reader. The commercial version is about $50.00 and is recommended. The free version will only read from the beginning of each text file. Nice control over background/foreground colors and voices.
Reading Bar ( Win ) from ReadPlease is a great utility that adds text to speech to Internet Explorer. It will also increase the size of the page, including graphics, and will convert the text information to an audio file. Trial version lasts about 30 days. Registration costs about $70.00.
ScreenReader ( Win ) from TextHelp is a utility that provides basic text to speech for any text in a Windows based application. A trial version is available. Registration costs about $45.00.
TextAloud ( Win ) from TextAloud is a text reader that will render text files into audio files that can be burned to CD or played on MP3 players. Great way to make audio books. 30 day trial.
Ultimate Reading Machine ( Win ) from URM is another text reader that will convert text to audio. Limited trial.
AspireReader ( Win ) from CAST is a feature rich text reader with a built in Internet browser for reading web pages.
Accessibility Suite ( Win ) from Premiere Programming is a suite of text to speech and scanning programs. You can download the demos of many of the programs.
Key to Access ( Win) from Premiere Programming is a USB flash drive with accessibility software loaded so that it will run from the flash drive without having to install software on a computer. Students can take their software from computer to computer.
Text Scanning Software - back to top
WYNN ( Win ) from Freedom Scientific is a feature rich program that will scan printed text into the computer, retaining the original format and graphics, and then read the text aloud to the student. It also include features for reformatting the text to make it more accessible. A 30 day or 30 hour trial version is available.
TestTalker ( Win ) from Freedom Scientific enables you to create talking tests and worksheets. A timed evaluation version is available.
Kurzweil 3000 ( Win . Mac ) from Kurzweil Educational Systems is a feature rich program that will scan printed text into the computer, retaining the original format and graphics, and then read the text aloud to the student. It also includes features for reformatting the text to make it more accessible. You can request a trial version on CD and a Flash version can be viewed on the Internet.
Read and Write Gold ( Win . Mac ) from TextHelp provides text to speech support across applications. It even reads help files out loud. It includes word prediction, a talking calculator, and scanning from printed to digital text.
Accessibility Suite ( Win ) from Premiere Programming is a suite of text to speech and scanning programs. You can download the demos of many of the programs.
Key to Access ( Win) from Premiere Programming is a USB flash drive with accessibility software loaded so that it will run from the flash drive without having to install software on a computer. Students can take their software from computer to computer.
Alternative Keyboards - back to top
IntelliKeys ( Win . Mac ) from IntelliTools is a popular alternative keyboard with a completely customizable surface.
BigKeys ( Win . Mac ) from RJ Cooper is a basic keyboard with very large keys.
Tash USB Mini ( Win . Mac ) from Tash is a small membrane keyboard.
FrogPad ( Win . Mac ) from FrogPad is a mobile one handed keyboard.
OnScreen Keyboards - back to top
Click n'Type ( Win ) from Lake Software is a free onscreen keyboard with basic word prediction features.
OnScreen (. Win . Mac .) from RJ Cooper is an onscreen keyboard with "word complete" features. 14 day trial. You can request a free CD with all their stuff on it.
Keystrokes ( Mac ) from Assistiveware is a nice looking onscreen keyboard that works with OSX and includes word prediction features. Demo.
Reach ( Win ) from AHF is a feature rich onscreen keyboard with word prediction. Very customizable. 30 day trial.
My-T-Mouse and My-T-Mouse for Kids, both Windows, from IMG. Onscreen keyboards. Demo.
Screen Magnifiers - back to top
BigShot Magnifier and ZoomText ( Win ) from BigShot is a full featured screen magnifier. 30 day trial.
Lunar ( Win ) from Dolphin is a full featured screen magnifier. 30 minute sessions.
MAGic ( Win ) from Freedom Scientific is a full featured screen magnifier. 40 minute sessions. ZoomText ( Win ) from AiSquared is a full featured screen magnifier. 30 day trial.
Lens Magnifying Glass ( Win ) is a simple free utility that magnifies a small area of the desktop. You can download it at magnifiers.org.
Dragnifier ( Win ) is another free utility that magnifies a small area of the desktop. You can download it at magnifiers.org.
Screen Readers - back to top
JAWS ( Win ) from Freedom Scientific is a full featured screen reading program. 40 minute sessions.
Window-Eyes ( Win ) from GW Micro is a full featured screen reader. 30 minute sessions.
Switch Access - back to top
TASH "Solutions That Click" provides an extensive product line of switch systems and mounting systems.
From RJ Cooper. 14 day trials.
Biggy Lite Cursors (. Win . Mac .)
CrossScanner - switch access (. Win . Mac .)ScanBuddy ( Win ) from AHF is a switch control system. 30 day trial.
DiscoverPro 2 ( Win ) from Intellitools is a software program that provides computer control through touch, scanning, or pointing. Additional supported interfaces include Intellikeys, IntelliSwitch, and TrackerPro devices.
