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Check out this video for more information on dysgraphia.

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National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)

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Kurzweil is a software that was developed to read printed text to users.

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For those who are living with dyslexia, are English language learners, or blind and vision impaired, text-to-speech technology, like kurzweil 3000, boasts many benefits inside the classroom and out. Functioning as an assistive technology, educators can integrate this into their classrooms so students who have challenges with reading can keep up at the same pace as their peers. By reading text aloud while students follow along, this literacy solution helps boost learners' confidence and performance in the classroom.

Using Text-to-Speech Technology

There are multiple facets of text-to-speech, including choosing the right assistive technology and getting students to properly comprehend and retain learning materials using these tools. Kurzweil Education's text-to-speech software offers a multisensory approach and multiple means of access to text-whether in print, online, or in digital formats-to support better learning at school and at home. Kurzweil literacy software and products give reading disabled, blind and vision impaired users access to causal reading, workplace documents, and classroom curriculum, all while having the freedom to read and write without the need for a tutor or human assistant.

Selecting the Right Assistive Technology with Text-to-Speech

Whether you are a student or educator, there are countless benefits of using and selecting the right text-to-speech technology to better support learning. Kurzweil Education's suite of literacy products offer key advantages for both learners and teachers, including:

Optical Character Recognition (OCR): This high quality software reproduces scanned print documents with the exact layout and format found in the original, allowing the technology to read the document aloud. Both students and educators can know that the materials they are using are accurately being conveyed and at the pace of the other peers in the classroom.

Unique Text-to-Speech Voices: Choosing a text-to-speech voice that matches up to each individual student is vital for learners' comprehension and retention of written materials. Kurzweil's text-to-speech software uses natural, high-quality acapella voices and provides 18 languages and dialects to choose from. Educators who are integrating text-to-speech technology into their classrooms can be assured that students are listening to a voice that best fits their cultural background, ensuring optimal learning.

Customization: Assistive technology is something that is used every day to help improve learning. Being able to customize your tools to better support your teaching or learning style is important for achieving success. Kurzweil Education provides a high degree of customization including tailoring the user experience to students' individual needs, providing robust support for individuals with learning disabilities, supporting research based instructional practices, and more.

Funding Text-to-Speech Technology in the Classroom

Applying for various types of grants to bring assistive technology into your classroom or school, helps alleviate some of the financial costs associated with using additional tools to support better learning. Public schools that are K-Postsecondary education and vocational rehabilitation centers for adults are eligible to receive grant funding. These stipends cover most or all of the costs associated with bringing assistive technology into your classrooms, allowing schools to focus on budgeting for intermittent upgrades. Visit Kurzweil Education's grants & funding page to learn more and apply!

Learn More About Kurzweil 3000 >

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Text-to-Speech: An Integrated Literacy Solution from Kurzweil Education

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For those who are living with dyslexia, are English language learners, or blind and vision impaired, text-to-speech technology, like kurzweil 3000, boasts many benefits inside the classroom and out. Functioning as an assistive technology, educators can integrate this into their classrooms so students who have challenges with reading can keep up at the same pace as their peers.

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Using assistive technology in the classroom  

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Using assistive technology in the classroom  

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This a video that shows how a student uses assistive technology in the classroom.

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Assistive Technology in Action - Meet Mason

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Draft builder is a tool used for struggling writers to help during the writing process.

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This is an app available for individuals to use that records voice. This can be used to record notes

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Typing with your voice and speech recognition. Simple and functional notepad.

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Classroom accommodations to assist students with dysgraphia 

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Classroom accommodations to assist students with dysgraphia 

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By Amanda Morin

Students with dysgraphia can have trouble with handwriting, typing, and spelling. What classroom accommodations can help? Here are some ways teachers can make all aspects of writing easier.

Classroom materials and routines

Provide pencil grips or different types of pens or pencils to see what works best for the student.

Provide handouts so there's less to copy from the board.

Provide typed copies of classroom notes or lesson outlines to help the student take notes.

Provide extra time to take notes and copy material.

Allow the student to use an audio recorder or a laptop in class.

Provide paper with different-colored or raised lines to help form letters in the right space.

Provide graph paper (or lined paper to be used sideways) to help line up math problems.

Provide paper assignments with name, date, title, etc., already filled in.

Provide information needed to start writing assignments early.

Help the student break writing assignments into steps.

Provide a rubric and explain how each step is graded.

Give examples of finished assignments.

Offer alternatives to written responses, like giving an oral report.

Completing tests and assignments

Adapt test formats to cut down on handwriting. For example, use "circle the answer" or "fill in the blank" questions.

Grade based on what the student knows, not on handwriting or spelling.

Use a scribe or speech-to-text so the student can dictate test answers and writing assignments.

Let the student choose to either print or use cursive for handwritten responses.

Allow a "proofreader" to look for errors.

Provide extended time on tests.

Provide a quiet room for tests if needed.

Does your child struggle with handwriting? Explore fun, effective expert tips to practice at home.

Tell us what interests you

About the author

About the author

Amanda Morin is the author of "The Everything Parent's Guide to Special Education" and the former director of thought leadership at Understood. As an expert and writer, she helped build Understood from its earliest days.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Whitney Hollins is a special education teacher and adjunct instructor at Hunter College.

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Students with dysgraphia can have trouble with handwriting, typing, and spelling. What classroom accommodations can help? Here are some ways teachers can make all aspects of writing easier. Classroom materials and routines Provide pencil grips or different types of pens or pencils to see what works best for the student.

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Writing with symbols is an app used to support individuals who have difficulties with writing .

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We believe that no matter what your level of language or reading, everybody should have fair and equal access to information. Using symbol supported text can help anyone who has a difficulty with text, including:

Children beginning to read

Children and adults with a learning difficulties, i.e. Autism, Down Syndrome or Dyslexia

People for whom English is an additional language

Children and adults with severe physical difficulties

We have been making software for over 30 years and our collection of over 16,000 Widgit symbols are now available in more than 15 languages. Our symbols are uniquely designed to make them suitable for use with users of any age or ability. Widgit Symbols are used to help communication all around the world in all walks of life including early years and primary education (K-12), health care, tourism, the arts, social justice, dementia care and of course at home.

We have come a long way from our revolutionary Writing With Symbols 2000 software, take a look at some of the software and online solutions that can help you create symbol supported resources:

Buy Now Free Trial

Buy Now Free Trial

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We believe that no matter what your level of language or reading, everybody should have fair and equal access to information. Using symbol supported text can help anyone who has a difficulty with text, including: Children beginning to read Children and adults with a learning difficulties, i.e.

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Inspiration is an app used to organize information by using an electronic tablet.

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Graphic organizers are example of low-tech assistive technology used to help all individuals during the planning part of the writing process.

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Resources for writing disabilities and the identifying tests.

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PaperPort is a digital note taking app used to support individuals with writing disabilities.

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Platforms

Ages of Learners

Categories

PaperPort Notes is a digital note taking tool for the iPad that is transforming the way people create and share information. Now you can combine documents, web content, audio, typed text as well as hand written notes into a single document that you can easily organize and share with anyone.

PaperPort Notes brings you a complete note taking experience on the iPad that you won't want to ever be without.

Quickly take typed and/or free hand notes

Leverage Dragon voice recognition to capture your ideas and notes simply by speaking

Convert scanned documents from the camera or photo albumn into editable text using the Nuance OmniPage Cloud service

Leverage powerful annotative tools to quickly mark up documents

Never miss another detail by adding audio page by page within your notes

Combine full documents, individual pages, content from the web and notes into a single document

Powerful search, copy/paste, reordering and bookmarking tools allow you to quickly navigate your notes while staying organized

Access and share content using your favorite cloud storage services

PaperPort Anywhere connector provides access to files stored online or within PaperPort Desktop

Much more... Follow us on twitter for tips and updates @PaperPortNotes

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PaperPort Notes is a digital note taking tool for the iPad that is transforming the way people create and share information. Now you can combine documents, web content, audio, typed text as well as hand written notes into a single document that you can easily organize and share with anyone.

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This web link gives users step by step instructions on how to use voice typing when using google docs.

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Remember, more Tech Tips can be found at whps.org/tech. Try searching by keyword or category!

Also, utilize on-demand training with Synergyse anytime in any Google App from the icon in the upper right corner. Just make sure you're logged into Google Chrome to access any of the hundreds of tutorials.

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Remember, more Tech Tips can be found at whps.org/tech. Try searching by keyword or category! Also, utilize on-demand training with Synergyse anytime in any Google App from the icon in the upper right corner. Just make sure you're logged into Google Chrome to access any of the hundreds of tutorials.

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Center on Technology and Disability (CTD)

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Assistive Technology (AT) Tools for Writing

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Assistive Technology Solutions for Writing

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A Slant board is an example of mid-tech assistive technology used to make writing for individuals with disabilities more comfortable.

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This link discusses tools and resources to identify signs, symptoms, and strategies for dysgraphia.

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Grammarly is a website to assist students during the writing process to make sure their paper is free of grammatical errors. Grammarly is great resource for all writers to use.

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Generative AI assistance for any writing challenge Try It for Free ⟶

Instantly generate clear, compelling writing while maintaining your unique voice.

Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos

Works Where You Do

Get suggestions from Grammarly while you write in desktop applications and sites across the web-as you move between apps, social media, documents, messages, and emails.

Beyond Grammar and Spelling

From grammar and spelling to style and tone, Grammarly's suggestions are comprehensive, helping you communicate effectively and as you intend.

Everyone Can Write With Confidence

"Grammarly allows me to get those communications out and feel confident that I'm putting my best foot forward. Grammarly is like a little superpower, especially when I need to be at 110%."

Co-founder of Venture Out

Brilliant Writing Awaits

Discover the power of confident communication with Grammarly Free.

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Millions trust Grammarly's AI writing assistance to communicate with confidence and make writing faster and more delightful. Getting started is simple - download the app today.

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PDF Max is an app that allows users to download documents so that they can annotate and listen to the content.

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PDF Max | Mobile PDF app, trusted by millions

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If you work with PDF files on a regular basis, PDF Max is an app you should take a look at. It's a free download, and you only have to pay for extra features if you'll use them. The included features and tools make it a very capable PDF utility app.

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When students have some flexibility in their seating when completing tasks, it helps increase productivity.

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Check out this video for more information on assistive technology devices.

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Assistive Technology for Teaching Writing Webinar

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SnapType is an app that makes daily classroom worksheets accessible to students who have writing disabilities.

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SnapType

A simple way to complete any school worksheet on your iPad or Tablet.

Perfect For Struggling Handwriters

SnapType helps students keep up with their peers in class, even when their penmanship holds them back. Students feel more self-confident, intelligent and independent. SnapType is fun and easy to use for students of all ages. Best of all, SnapType helps prevent homework behavioral meltdowns!

See How SnapType Makes Homework Better

SnapType makes it easy to complete any school worksheet. And when you're done, it's easy to email or print.

Students, Parents, Teachers & Therapists Love SnapType!

Contact

Empower students across a school or district with SnapType EDU!

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A simple way to complete any school worksheet on your iPad or Tablet. SnapType helps students keep up with their peers in class, even when their penmanship holds them back. Students feel more self-confident, intelligent and independent. SnapType is fun and easy to use for students of all ages.

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This web page is a resource to access tools and resources in written language.

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Technology can be a huge boost for adults and kids who struggle with writing. A keyboard, for example, can help people who have trouble using a pen or pencil. Assistive technology (AT) tools like this can make the physical act of writing easier. AT can also help with spelling and grammar, and with organizing and expressing thoughts in writing.

To understand the options, here's a guide to AT tools for writing, and where to find them.

Types of Assistive Technology Tools for Writing

There's a wide range of AT tools for writing. Here are some of the most helpful ones.

Handwriting tools can help people who have trouble with motor skills. For example, a pencil grip makes it easier to hold a pencil properly. A slant board raises the writing surface to give more leverage for handwriting. And lined or graph paper can help with writing in straight lines.

Keyboards and touchscreens can also help people who struggle with handwriting. Keyboards and touchscreens let you input letters and words through typing or touching the screen, rather than by using a pen or pencil.

Dictation (speech-to-text)allows you to write by using your voice. As you speak, the words appear on the screen. Keep in mind that to use dictation, you have to be able to speak clearly. You also need to learn verbal commands for things like punctuation. Some dictation software can also be used to convert audio recordings into digital text.

Word prediction suggests correct spellings of words after only a few letters are typed. Word prediction sometimes uses "word banks" (commonly used words in a topic area) to help writers come up with words and complete their sentences. Keep in mind that unlike dictation, word prediction requires using a keyboard.

Spell-check and grammar check are available on most word processors. Some AT tools for writing take spell-check and grammar check to the next level by checking for incorrect words that sound alike or that don't make sense in context.

Text-to-speech (TTS)is typically thought of as a reading tool. But TTS can also help with writing. That's because it can read aloud what's written, so you can check for mistakes. Some TTS tools can also read words aloud as they're typed.

Graphic organizers are visual tools that help break down ideas and projects into smaller parts. You can use these tools to brainstorm and plan what you want to write. Graphic organizers come in many forms, from mind maps to diagrams to flow charts. They can be digital or pen and paper.

Dictionaries and thesauri (print or digital) let you define a word or find the right one. There are different types of dictionaries and thesauri, too. For example, a picture dictionary uses images to define words.

Where to Get Assistive Technology for Writing

Many writing tools are "low-tech." This is especially true of handwriting tools. You can find pencil grips and graph paper, for instance, in most school supply stores. The school may also offer these tools.

When you're selecting a handwriting tool, an occupational therapist can give helpful advice. They can tell you which tools are the best fit, and they have access to a bigger selection of tools than a typical store. They can also talk you through the options for keyboarding or touchscreens. Special education teachers may be able to help you choose AT tools, too.

As with other AT, tools for writing are being used more and more on computer platforms:

Desktop and laptop computers: Computers often have built-in AT tools, like TTS and dictation. You can also download software for writing to add more AT tools.

Mobile devices (like tablets and smartphones): Mobile devices also have built-in AT. You can add more writing tools to mobile devices with apps.

Chromebooks (and Chrome browsers on any device): These have built-in AT options, too. You can add Chrome apps and extensions for more ways to help with writing.

Desktops and laptops, as well as Chrome, usually use keyboards for typing, but many computers now have touchscreens. And while the main way to use a mobile device is with a touchscreen, people who prefer typing can use an external keyboard.

Get a checklist of questions to ask about AT tools. And hear from a student who uses dictation technology for college essays.

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Technology can be a huge boost for adults and kids who struggle with writing. A keyboard, for example, can help people who have trouble using a pen or pencil. Assistive technology (AT) tools like this can make the physical act of writing easier.

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Popplet is an app that supports students with writing disabilities.

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Pencil grips are low tech assistive technology to help individuals with writing disabilities.

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Wireless keyboards are examples of mid-tech assistive technology.

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This type of paper is available for students to use who have writing disabilities. This paper provides students so that the writing is more legible. By providing boxes students are able to record one letter per box, per space. Adaptive paper is an example of low-tech assistive technology.

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Instructional strategies for teaching students with writing disabilities 

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Instructional strategies for teaching students with writing disabilities 

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Check out this video for more information on instructional strategies.

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Instructional Strategies for Teaching Writing to Elementary Students (REL Southeast)

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The claw grip is a low-tech assistive device used to help students grip the pencil when experiencing difficulty writing.