# data[].attributes.headline
Microsoft main site: innovative tools for accessible learning

# data[].attributes.subject
Microsoft main site: innovative tools for accessible learning

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Accessibility Tools for Inclusive Learning | Microsoft Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Foster an inclusive learning environment with Accessibility Tools from Microsoft Education. Equip your classroom for accessible learning with our tools for students and educators.

# data[].attributes.headline
MS Educator: Accessibility - building the foundation for inclusive learning

# data[].attributes.subject
MS Educator: Accessibility - building the foundation for inclusive learning

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Accessibility: Build the foundation for inclusive learning - Training

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This module explores accessibility through several foundational concepts. Learn to create an inclusive learning environment through consideration of each accessibility principle.

# data[].attributes.headline
MS Educator: empower every student with an inclusive classroom

# data[].attributes.subject
MS Educator: empower every student with an inclusive classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Empower every student with an inclusive classroom - Training

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This module is designed for educators of all subject areas who want to empower students to utilize tools to unlock their full potential by addressing a diversity of needs.

# data[].attributes.headline
MS Edge browser: accessibility and learning tools

# data[].attributes.subject
MS Edge browser: accessibility and learning tools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Accessibility & Learning Tools in Microsoft Edge | Microsoft Edge

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn more about accessibility features and learning tools in Microsoft Edge. Explore how tools like Immersive Reader and Read Aloud can help students succeed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Microsoft Editor checks grammar and more in documents, mail, and the web - Microsoft Support

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Microsoft Editor uses enhanced proofing tools for Microsoft 365 subscribers. Identify spelling, grammar, and stylistic issues within your documents.

# data[].attributes.body
Explore ADHD-conscious tools in Edge with features designed to enhance focus, organization, and efficiency. Learn how Edge can help keep you in the zone without interruption.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discover how Microsoft Edge can support individuals with ADHD by enhancing focus, improving organization, and boosting productivity. Starting a task can often be the hardest part, but with tools like Copilot, Edge makes it easier. Our ADHD-friendly features help minimize distractions and streamline your online experience, making it simpler to stay on task and manage your activities efficiently. Explore how Edge can provide the support you need to stay focused and accomplish your daily tasks with confidence.

# data[].attributes.headline
Google for education: accessibility quick guide

# data[].attributes.subject
Google for education: accessibility quick guide

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
With built-in accessibility features, Google for Education helps students and educators customize their learning tools and create inclusive learning environments so they can learn, teach, and collaborate with confidence.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Accessibility features in Google for Education - Google for Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Google for Education products are created with accessibility in mind, to help every student learn, be inspired, and achieve their full potential.

# data[].attributes.body
This is a great way to support those with English as an Additional Language in your classrooms. Follow the settings to enable PPT to translate your words, in real time, into other languages.

Languages featured include: Romanian, Ukrainian, Urdu, Polish, Bulgarian, and many more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Set up captions and subtitles

You can choose which language you want to speak while presenting, and which language the caption/subtitle text should be shown in (i.e. if you want it to be translated). You can select the specific microphone you want to be used (if there is more than one microphone connected to your device), the position where the subtitles appear on the screen (bottom or top, and overlaid or separate from slide), and other display options.

1. On the Slide Show ribbon tab, select Subtitle Settings. Or, you can adjust the settings without leaving your presentation through the context menu, Slide Show or Presenter View menus > Subtitle Settings > More Settings.

2. Use Spoken Language to see the voice languages that PowerPoint can recognize, and select the one you want. This is the language that you will be speaking while presenting. (By default, this will be set to the language corresponding to your Office editing language.)

3. In the Subtitle Settings menu, set the desired position of the captions or subtitles. They can appear over the top or bottom margin of the slide (overlaid), or they can appear above the top or below the bottom of the slide (docked). The default setting is Below Slide.

4. More appearance settings are available by clicking Subtitle Settings > More Settings (Windows).

You can change the color, size, transparency, and font style of the subtitles. You can change the background to improve contrast and make text easier to read.

Turn the feature on or off while presenting

If you're in the middle of giving a presentation and want to turn the feature on or off, click the Toggle Subtitles button from Slide Show View or Presenter View, on the toolbar below the main slide:

In Slide Show View:

In Presenter View:

You can also toggle subtitles from the right-click menu, or with the shortcut key J.

To have subtitles always start up when a Slide Show presentation starts, from the ribbon you can navigate to Slide Show > Always Use Subtitles to turn this feature on for all presentations. (By default, it's off.) Then, in Slide Show and Presenter View, a live transcription of your words will appear on-screen.

Set up captions and subtitles

You can choose which language you want to speak while presenting, and which language the caption/subtitle text should be shown in (i.e. if you want it to be translated). You can select the specific microphone you want to be used (if there is more than one microphone connected to your device), the position where the subtitles appear on the screen (bottom or top, and overlaid or separate from slide), and other display options.

1. On the Slide Show ribbon tab, select Subtitle Settings.

2. In the Subtitle Settings menu, set the desired position of the captions or subtitles. They can appear over the top or bottom margin of the slide (overlaid), or they can appear above the top or below the bottom of the slide (docked). The default setting is Below Slide.

3. More appearance settings are available by clicking Subtitle Settings > System Caption Preferences.

You can change the color, size, transparency, and font style of the subtitles. You can change the background to improve contrast and make text easier to read.

Turn the feature on or off while presenting

If you're in the middle of giving a presentation and want to turn the feature on or off, click the Toggle Subtitles button from Slide Show View or Presenter View, on the toolbar below the main slide:

In Slide Show View:

In Presenter View:

Set up captions and subtitles

You can choose which language you want to speak while presenting, and which language the caption/subtitle text should be shown in (i.e., if you want it to be translated). You can also select whether subtitles appear at the top or bottom of the screen.

Simplified Ribbon:

Classic Ribbon:

(Simplifed Ribbon) On the Slide Show ribbon tab, select the drop-down arrow next to Always Use Subtitles to open the menu of options.

(Classic Ribbon) On the View ribbon tab, select Use Subtitles. Then click Subtitle Settings to open the menu of options.

Turn the feature on or off while presenting

To have subtitles always start up when a Slide Show is presented, select View > Always Use Subtitles.

If you're in the middle of giving a presentation and want to turn the feature on or off, click the Use Subtitles button in Slide Show, on the toolbar below the main slide:

On/Off keyboard shortcut: J

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Present with real-time, automatic captions or subtitles in PowerPoint

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Let PowerPoint display your spoken words on-screen as you present with live captions, and even translate your words into another language with live subtitles.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Build a culture of wellbeing

Foster a happier, healthier, and more balanced school with evidence-based resources and strategies.

Learners can take a Brain Break with our curated collection of short, inclusive activities designed to promote mental fitness, refresh the mind, and refocus.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Microsoft Reflect | Encourage connection, expression and learning

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A wellbeing app to identify student needs and support their social and emotional learning (SEL).

# data[].attributes.body
A free open-source font designed to make reading easier for people with dyslexia.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
OpenDyslexic for Edge - Microsoft Edge Addons

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Make Microsoft Edge your own with extensions that help you personalize the browser and be more productive.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you have a speech disability or prefer to connect without using your voice, these built-in features give you more ways to communicate, your way.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Magnifier works like a digital magnifying glass, using the camera on your iPhone or iPad to increase the size of anything you point it at - from a prescription bottle to a candlelit menu. For those who are blind or have low vision and want more information about their physical surroundings, Detection Mode in Magnifier combines input from the camera, LiDAR scanner and on-device machine learning to offer intelligent tools like People Detection, Door Detection, Image Descriptions, Text Detection, and Point and Speak.

If you're standing in a queue, you can use People Detection to determine a person's proximity to you. Door Detection can help you navigate by identifying doors, text and the presence of symbols - such as a toilet symbol, a no-smoking symbol or an accessible-entrance symbol - within a few feet of you. Image Descriptions and Text Detection let you hear more about people, objects, landscapes and text in your camera's field of view. And Point and Speak makes it easier to interact with physical objects that have text, like household appliances, keypads or labels on files. As you point and move your finger over or under different buttons or elements, your iPhone or iPad reads the text out loud, so you can perform everyday activities and tasks with more ease and independence.

Put moments into words.

Match your levels to your location.

Look down for a heads‑up.

Pinch.
Pinch.
Chat.

AssistiveTouch for Apple Watch lets people with upper-body limb differences use their Apple Watch without ever having to touch the display or controls. Using built-in motion sensors and on-device learning, Apple Watch detects subtle differences in muscle movements and tendon activity, letting you control the display through hand gestures like a pinch or a clench. Answer incoming calls, control an onscreen motion pointer, and access Notification Centre, Control Centre and more. You can also use AssistiveTouch for Apple Watch to run shortcuts with Siri to complete tasks or modify VoiceOver and Switch Control settings on your iPhone.

AssistiveTouch for iOS and iPadOS helps you adapt standard gestures - like pinch, rotate or swipe - to make them more comfortable for you. You can make other actions, like changing volume, accessible from the AssistiveTouch menu.

Cue
magic
here.

Make your own calm.

This feature speaks for itself.

Assistive Access makes it easy for people with cognitive disabilities to tailor iPhone and iPad to reduce cognitive load and suit their specific needs. Designed with feedback from individuals with cognitive disabilities and their trusted supporters, this feature helps people focus on the activities they enjoy most and that are foundational to iPhone and iPad - connecting with friends and family, taking and sharing photos, and listening to music.

Assistive Access offers a distinctive interface with high-contrast buttons and large text labels, as well as tools to help individuals and trusted supporters focus the experience in specific apps - Phone and FaceTime (which have been combined into a single Calls app), Messages, Camera, Photos and Music. You can also choose a more visual, grid-based layout for your Home Screen and apps, or a row-based layout if you prefer text.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Apple products and services have built-in accessibility features to help you connect, create and do what you love in the ways that work best for you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Reduce Motion

Tone down the
special effects.

When you turn on Reduce Motion, you can decrease the movement of onscreen elements. Some screen actions, such as moving between apps or launching apps, become visually simpler for motion sensitivity or to lessen strain on the eyes.

Available on:

iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, iPod touch

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When you turn on Reduce Motion, you can decrease the movement of onscreen elements. Some screen actions, such as moving between apps or launching apps, become visually simpler for motion sensitivity or to lessen strain on the eyes. Available on: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, iPod touch

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
NewHeadphone Accommodations

Customise your headphones to your hearing needs.

Whether you're listening to music, watching a movie or talking to a loved one, Headphone Accommodations help you customise your audio experience to make the world sound crisp and clear. Amplify soft sounds and adjust certain sound frequencies based on your individual hearing needs. If you already have your own audiogram, you can add it to your settings. If not, you'll walk through a series of listening tests that allow you to set up as many as nine unique profiles based on your personal sound preferences.

Available on:

iPhone, iPad, AirPods Max, AirPods Pro, AirPods, EarPods, Beats

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Whether you're listening to music, watching a movie or talking to a loved one, Headphone Accommodations help you customise your audio experience to make the world sound crisp and clear. Amplify soft sounds and adjust certain sound frequencies based on your individual hearing needs.

# data[].attributes.body
Customize iPad in ways that work best for you with features for vision, hearing, mobility, speech, and cognitive accessibility—whether you need them temporarily or on an ongoing basis.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
iPad provides many accessibility features and settings to support your vision, mobility, hearing, speech, and cognitive needs.

These features make your iPad easier to use, whether you need them temporarily or on an ongoing basis.

You can set many of these up when you turn on your iPad for the first time (see Turn on accessibility features to set up your iPad), or you can turn them on later.

You can also set up Assistive Access, which gives those with cognitive disabilities the option to perform the most common tasks, such as taking photos and communicating with their inner circle of family and friends, while reducing cognitive load and offering more focused choices. See the Assistive Access User Guide.

Siri is often the easiest way to start using accessibility features with iPad.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Get started with accessibility features on iPad

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
iPad provides many accessibility features to support your vision, interaction, hearing, and cognitive needs.

# data[].attributes.body
Very helpful A3 poster giving an overview of how the iPad can support learners with dyslexia.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Details
A3 sized PDF poster - revision 2.0, published 2023
Description

When using an iPad to support pupils with literacy difficulties such as dyslexia, there is a temptation to head straight to the Apps Store to download the latest dedicated 'dyslexia app'. While many of these apps offer valuable literacy support, the built-in features in 'Accessibility' are often neglected. Not all the features mentioned in the infograph are set as 'default' so you might need to delve into Settings to turn them on. This updated poster includes new inclusive tools such as Live Text (snap an image of text and hear it read aloud), Typing Feedback (characters and words are spoken aloud as they are typed) and Stage Manger, allowing for multiple windows on the desktop thereby eliminating the need to toggle between apps.

Additionally, native Apple apps, such as Notes include brilliant tools such as Scan Text and Scan Documents that convert worksheets, and pages of books into editable text that can also be read aloud - essentially an extension of the new Live Text feature.

Although not mentioned in the poster, both the Reminders and Calendar apps offer useful planning and organisation features, particularly for those learners who find time management challenging. To see an extended list of the iPad's built-in tools to support literacy difficulties see the ' iPad short video guides to support reading and writing' and/or try out our professional learning module; Using the iPad to Support Literacy.

Contents of this PDF poster (Accessible version)

Below is an accessible breakdown of the contents of the PDF poster, designed to be accessible with a screen reader, and also for people who find it hard to see or access the links in the poster.

With each new update of the iPad's operating system (iOS), the built-in tools continue to improve. iOS 9 includes support for literacy difficulties such as dyslexia, without necessarily needing to buy additional apps. This infograph provides a snapshot of some of the built-in tools; others not mentioned here, include lower case keys, undocking the on-screen keyboard to help track writing, the facility to add external dyslexia-friendly Bluetooth keyboards to aid writing and the newly designed Notes app with text formatting options.

As well as the suggestions provided here, CALL Scotland offers many more resources, such as the ' Dyslexia Wheel of Apps', and colour background templates for Pages as well as neutral colour backgrounds for the iPad's screen.

Split View

With Split View you can work on two apps and/ or documents simultaneously, - useful for revision or notetaking. (iPad Air 2 only - alternatively Slide Over for some older iPads).

Siri

You can use Siri to ask questions, set reminders, open apps, complete tasks, and dictate text instead of typing.

Siri Voices

Use the Siri voices - Siri Male and Siri Female - for natural sounding text-to-speech.

Safari Reader

Improve the readability of web pages by removing clutter - tap the black horizontal lines on the left hand side of the URL box.

Speak Screen

Speak Screen reads content on the iPad. You can set the speaking rate and choose from different voices. Swipe down from the top with two fingers or tell Siri to 'Speak Screen'.

Speak Selection

If you don't want everything read aloud tap and hold the bits of text and Speak Selection will read it.

Highlighting

Follow words and sentences as they are read aloud with 'Highlighting'.

Text Replacement to support spelling

Use Text Replacement to create personalised spelling lists and Auto-Corrections.

Text Replacement to cut down keystrokes (Shortcuts)

Consider using Text Replacement (abbreviation expansion) to help cut down keystrokes. Text Replacement can also help to quickly type repetitive sentences and phrases.

Define/Dictionary

Use Define and Dictionary to find the meaning of words.

Use Manage to choose from a range of Dictionaries such as the English Oxford, American English Oxford, French, German, Dutch and more.

Dictionary can also help with spelling, grammar and pronunciation.

Check Spelling

Consider turning on Check Spelling (in General and Keyboards) to alert learners to spelling mistakes. Misspelt words are highlighted with a red underline.

Replace Spelling

Tap or highlight the misspelt word to replace it with a correctly spelt word. If you are unsure if the replaced word is the correct one, highlight the word to have it read aloud (Speak).

QuickType

Use QuickType to tap a word from the list of words appearing above the on-screen keyboard

3rd Party Keyboards

You can use 3rd Party keyboards such as Keedogo, SuperKeys, Swype to aid writing and improve readability (Settings and Keyboard).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When using an iPad to support pupils with literacy difficulties such as dyslexia, there is a temptation to head straight to the Apps Store to download the latest dedicated 'dyslexia app'. While many of these apps offer valuable literacy support, the built-in features in 'Accessibility' and 'Keyboard...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
With Speech Recognition you can speak to your computer, tablet or smartphone to control it, give commands and dictate text.

Useful for anyone because you can typically speak faster than you can type;

helpful for people with physical difficulties, dyslexia, writing or spelling difficulties, or visual impairment;

freely built in to all computer, tablet and smartphone operating systems;

you can also buy software for Windows and Mac computers.

What's available on Windows?

What's available on iPads, iPhones and Android?

What's available on a Mac?

What's available on a Chromebook?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
With Speech Recognition you can speak to your computer, tablet or smartphone to control it, give commands and dictate text.

# data[].attributes.headline
CALL Scotland: Scottish voice for text-to-speech engines

# data[].attributes.subject
CALL Scotland: Scottish voice for text-to-speech engines

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Free Scottish accent and Scottish Gaelic computer voices designed specifically for reading digital text and for personal communication.

# data[].attributes.body
There’s a new feature in Google Chrome browser called Reading mode that allows you to personalise the look and feel of content to support learners with reading difficulties.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
There's a new feature in Google Chrome browser called Reading mode that allows you to personalise the look and feel of content to support learners with reading difficulties.

If you're familiar with Immersive Reader in Edge Browser or Word Online, and Reader View in Safari (for iPhones/iPads), Reading mode offers similar tools, for example,

Customise the background colour,

Choice of different font styles, sizes and colours,

Line spacing and line height options.

How do I get Reading mode?

As part of a recent update Reading mode is built into the Chrome browser 'Side Panel'.

Reading mode only appears when there is readable text on a website such as an article, as opposed to results in a Google search.

What if I don't have Reading mode?

If Reading mode isn't available on your version of Chrome browser you may need to update it.

1. Launch Google Chrome on your desktop.

2. Open the drop-down menu by clicking the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner of the browser.

3. Select Settings.

4. Click About Chrome from the left sidebar.

Chrome browser automatically checks and installs updates. For schools/local authorities you will need to check with your IT department.

If you're still having problems getting Reading mode, try the steps below:

1. Type or copy "chrome://flags/" into the browser's address bar.

2. When the page appears scroll until you see Reading mode or type reading mode into the search box at the top of the screen.

3. When you see Reading mode, click the box next to it and change its setting from "Default" to "Enabled". Restart Chrome browser and follow the steps above.

Does Reading mode have text-to-speech?

Currently there is no text-to-speech, but if you are using a Chromebook you can use the built-in Select-to-Speak reader to hear the text read aloud.

Alternatively, you could use one of the free Windows text-to-speech programs such as Natural Reader or ATBar.

There's also the Immersive Reader extension for Chrome and Edge browsers to improve and enhance the readability of websites.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Google Chrome's best-kept secret - Reading Mode

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Google Chrome's free browser reading mode is a great new feature to support learners with reading difficulties.