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Online Diagram Software & Visual Solution | Lucidchart

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Online Diagram Software & Visual Solution | Lucidchart

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Create powerful visuals to understand the teams, information, and processes that drive better decisions in every area of your business. Sign up for a free trial today.
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Yes, you should diagram

Anyone, in any industry and any role, can use Lucidchart. After all, everyone has been drawing out ideas since childhood. We make it easy to create powerful visuals to improve how you do business. Get a head start with over 500 templates, or drag and drop from our shape library to customize your diagram.

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Online Diagram Software & Visual Solution | Lucidchart

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Lucidchart is your solution for visual communication and cross-platform collaboration. Create professional flowcharts, process maps, UML models, org charts, and ER diagrams using our templates or import feature. Works on Mac, PC, and Linux and integrated with your favorite apps. Start a free trial today!

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The most intuitive diagramming & flowcharting tool in the cloud. Seamlessly integrate with Google Drive, Slack, Atlassian, and more.

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Accessibility Features Chrome and Apps [Shareable] - Google Slides

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Accessibility Features Chrome and Apps [Shareable] - Google Slides

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Accessibility Features Chrome and Apps [Shareable] @scotlandlouise

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Our Goal for Information Technology is for Maine citizens to have accessibly and universally designed hardware and software that enriches lives and expands job opportunities. Education. Employment....

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Free Text to Speech: Online, App, Software & Commercial license with Natural Sounding Voices.

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Free Text to Speech: Online, App, Software & Commercial license with Natural Sounding Voices.

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Dyslexia and other reading-based learning disabilities are most common among students. NaturalReader text-to-speech makes learning more accessible by assisting with any reading, taking tests and promoting independence.

Students can have any text they need to read, read aloud to them so they can read along. Having the text provided both visually and auditory, allows the student to focus less on the act of reading, and more on the comprehension of the content. Other features like dyslexia font, flexible reading speeds, and highlighted text also ease the task of finishing readings.

For most students, learning does not stop when school ends. NaturalReader EDU enables students to be more independent and assists with learning at home. Whether they're doing homework, reading at home, or just surfing the web, our Chrome Extension and Mobile Application are always available.

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NaturalReader: Free Text to Speech for Online, Mobile App, Commercial license and Education with AI voices.

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Read&Write for Google Chrome™ - Chrome Web Store

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Read&Write for Google Chrome™ - Chrome Web Store

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Boost reading and writing confidence across all types of content and devices, in class, at work, and at home.

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Make it easy for dyslexic people to read any website.

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Make your document or presentation more accessible - Docs Editors Help

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Make your document or presentation more accessible - Docs Editors Help

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When you create a document or presentation, follow the tips below to make it more readable by everyone, including people with disabilities.

Include alt text

Alternative text for images, drawings, and other graphics provides screen reader users with an audio description of what's on screen. Otherwise, a user only hears the word "image" and could miss any relevant visual details.

Always provide alt text for any visual data if there are no other text annotations. Some images automatically include alt text. It's a good idea to verify that the automatic alt text is correct.

Add or edit alt text

1. Select an image, drawing, or graphic.

2. Use one of the following options:

For Docs: Click Image options Alt text.

For Mac: Press + Option + y.

For all other platforms: Press Ctrl + Alt + y.

For Slides: Click Format options Alt text.

For Mac: Press + Option + y.

For all other platforms: Press Ctrl + Alt + y.

For Sheets: At the top right corner, once you insert an image in a Sheet, click More Alt text.

3. Enter a description.

4. To add a title, select Advanced options.

Use tables for data

Use tables to present data, not to change the visual layout of the page. In the table, include a heading row rather than start with data in the first row.

Use comments and suggestions

Use the commenting and suggesting features instead of writing notes within the text of your document or presentation. Screen reader users can jump to comments using keyboard shortcuts rather than hunting through your file. The file owner can also receive email notifications or review comment threads.

Check for high color contrast

High color contrast makes text and images easier to read and comprehend. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 recommend a minimum ratio of 4.5:1 for large text and 7:1 for other text and images. For example, avoid light gray text on a white background.

To check contrast, use one of these tools:

Use informative link text

Screen readers can scan for links, so informative link text is helpful. It's best to use the title of the page as the linked text. For example, if you link to your profile page, the linked text should say "my profile," not "click here."

Check text size and alignment

To make your document or presentation easy to read, use large, left-aligned text when possible. Justified text is more difficult to read because of extra space between the words. To change the alignment, press Ctrl + Shift + L (Windows or Chrome OS) or ⌘ + Shift + L (Mac).

Use text to support formatting

It's best not to rely on visual formatting alone to communicate meaning. Screen readers might not announce formatting changes, such as boldface or highlighting.

For example, to mark an important section of text, add the word "Important."

Use numbered and bulleted lists

Google Docs and Google Slides automatically detect and format some lists for accessibility. For example, if you start a new line in your document by typing the number 1 followed by a period, the new line automatically becomes the first item in a numbered list. Learn how to format bulleted and numbered lists.

Use headings to organize your document

Headings divide your document into sections, making it easier for people to jump to a section (especially if they're using keyboard shortcuts). You can use the default heading styles or create your own. Learn how to add and customize headings.

Include navigation landmarks in your document

Landmarks like headers, footers, page numbers, and page counts help your readers find where they are in your document. To maximize accessibility, especially in long documents, include one or more of these landmarks (available in the Insert menu).

Present slides with captions

When you present with Google Slides, you can turn on automatic captions to display the speaker's words in real time at the bottom of the screen. Learn how to present slides with captions.

Share a link to the HTML view of your presentation

The Google Slides HTML view displays your entire presentation in a single, scrollable HTML page, instead of one slide at a time. For some screen reader users, HTML pages can be easier to navigate.

To share a link to the HTML view of your presentation:

1. Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Shift + p (Windows or Chrome OS) or ⌘ + Option + Shift + p (Mac).

2. Copy and paste the URL from your browser.

Publish to the web

When a document, spreadsheet, or presentation is published to the web, the published content is viewable as a single, scrollable HTML page. Screen reader users often find the HTML version easier to read.

Based on your account's settings, when you publish a file, you can make it visible to:

Everyone on the web

Everyone in your organization

A group of people in your organization

Learn how to publish to the web.

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Make your document, presentation, and sheets more accessible

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When you create a document or presentation, follow the tips below to make it more readable by everyone, including people with disabilities. Include alt text Alternative text for images, drawings, an

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Audio format are human-voice recordings and computer synthesized Text-to-Speech (TTS). However, for the purpose of acquiring Audio Accessible Educational Materials - (AEM), we will be providing information about human-voice recorded content only. If the student can use TTS, please see the acquisition information about Digit Text as this content can be converted with text-to-speech software.

The following are sources for acquiring human-voice recorded Audio AEM:

Learning Ally

Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic - RFB&D) provides human-narrated textbooks, as well as thousands of other books for individuals with qualifying print disabilities. Learning Ally is the only resource for school textbooks in human-recorded Audio format.

Acquisition of AIM from Learning Ally requires a School Membership which is fee-based; individual memberships for qualified students are free. Learning Ally has also been designated by Maine as a NIMAC Authorized User.

Visit the Membership Section of the Learning Ally website to learn more about school membership and how to acquire AEM in Audio format.

Maine State Library Service

The Maine State Library Service's Talking Books Program is a loan service provides audiobooks for individuals with qualifying print disabilities. Patrons have the choice of audiobooks in cassette or digital format. Membership is at no cost to Maine residents.

The Maine State Library is a NIMAC Authorized User. Please contact the Library for more information about this service.

For assistance, please contact Chris Boynton, Outreach/Special Services Coordinator by e-mail at chrboynton@mestate.lib.me.us or by calling 207-287-5653 or 1-800-762-7106

Books Aloud, Inc.

Books Aloud, Inc. hosts a Reading by Listening loan service for individuals with qualifying print disabilities. Audiobooks are shipped via standard cassette tape. Membership is free.

Notes and other alternatives

Book Publishers:

Some publishers of instructional materials are now making their materials available in specialized formats. There is no central clearinghouse listing who these publishers are. Schools are encouraged to ask sales staff from these companies for lists of AEM that they can purchase.

If a publisher has a specialized format of a copyrighted material, such as a textbook or contemporary novel, available for sale, it can be purchased and used by any student. That is, it doesn't have to be reserved for the sole use of a student with a print disability.

Here is a list of some resources:

Volunteer's Voice Recording

A school volunteer may make a high-quality voice recording of copyrighted materials for students with qualifying print disabilities. If a material is in the Public Domain, licensed under Creative Commons, or teacher-created, a voice recording can be made available to all students.

The Maine State Library has a recording booth available for voice recorders. The process of creating a quality recording can be lengthy, therefore plenty of time will need to be devoted to this task. For more information, please contact Chris Boynton, Outreach/Special Services Coordinator at chrboynton@mestate.lib.me.us or 207-287-5653 or 1-800-762-7106.

Free Online Collections Available for Use by All Students

The following on-line resources may be able to provide free online books in Audio format. All of the following are external links:

Commercial Purchase for Use by All Students

-

Photo Credit: Image of Maine State Library is licensed through Creative Commons by Wikimedia

rev: 9/18/2018

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Audio format are human-voice recordings and computer synthesized Text-to-Speech (TTS). However, for the purpose of acquiring Audio Accessible Educational Materials - (AEM), we will be providing information about human-voice recorded content only. If the student can use TTS, please see the acquisition information about Digit Text as this content can be converted with text-to-speech software.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Audio format are human-voice recordings and computer synthesized Text-to-Speech (TTS). However, for the purpose of acquiring Audio Accessible Educational Materials - (AEM), we will be providing information about human-voice recorded content only. If the student can use TTS, please see the acquisition information about Digit Text as this content can be converted with text-to-speech software.

The following are sources for acquiring human-voice recorded Audio AEM:

Learning Ally

Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic - RFB&D) provides human-narrated textbooks, as well as thousands of other books for individuals with qualifying print disabilities. Learning Ally is the only resource for school textbooks in human-recorded Audio format.

Acquisition of AIM from Learning Ally requires a School Membership which is fee-based; individual memberships for qualified students are free. Learning Ally has also been designated by Maine as a NIMAC Authorized User.

Visit the Membership Section of the Learning Ally website to learn more about school membership and how to acquire AEM in Audio format.

Maine State Library Service

The Maine State Library Service's Talking Books Program is a loan service provides audiobooks for individuals with qualifying print disabilities. Patrons have the choice of audiobooks in cassette or digital format. Membership is at no cost to Maine residents.

The Maine State Library is a NIMAC Authorized User. Please contact the Library for more information about this service.

For assistance, please contact Chris Boynton, Outreach/Special Services Coordinator by e-mail at chrboynton@mestate.lib.me.us or by calling 207-287-5653 or 1-800-762-7106

Books Aloud, Inc.

Books Aloud, Inc. hosts a Reading by Listening loan service for individuals with qualifying print disabilities. Audiobooks are shipped via standard cassette tape. Membership is free.

Notes and other alternatives

Book Publishers:

Some publishers of instructional materials are now making their materials available in specialized formats. There is no central clearinghouse listing who these publishers are. Schools are encouraged to ask sales staff from these companies for lists of AEM that they can purchase.

If a publisher has a specialized format of a copyrighted material, such as a textbook or contemporary novel, available for sale, it can be purchased and used by any student. That is, it doesn't have to be reserved for the sole use of a student with a print disability.

Here is a list of some resources:

Volunteer's Voice Recording

A school volunteer may make a high-quality voice recording of copyrighted materials for students with qualifying print disabilities. If a material is in the Public Domain, licensed under Creative Commons, or teacher-created, a voice recording can be made available to all students.

The Maine State Library has a recording booth available for voice recorders. The process of creating a quality recording can be lengthy, therefore plenty of time will need to be devoted to this task. For more information, please contact Chris Boynton, Outreach/Special Services Coordinator at chrboynton@mestate.lib.me.us or 207-287-5653 or 1-800-762-7106.

Free Online Collections Available for Use by All Students

The following on-line resources may be able to provide free online books in Audio format. All of the following are external links:

Commercial Purchase for Use by All Students

-

Photo Credit: Image of Maine State Library is licensed through Creative Commons by Wikimedia

rev: 9/18/2018

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Audio format are human-voice recordings and computer synthesized Text-to-Speech (TTS). However, for the purpose of acquiring Audio Accessible Educational Materials - (AEM), we will be providing information about human-voice recorded content only. If the student can use TTS, please see the acquisition information about Digit Text as this content can be converted with text-to-speech software.

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Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Maine State Library

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Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Maine State Library

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library for the blind and physically handicapped

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Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Maine State Library

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Maine State Library Outreach arranges with the Perkins School for the Blind to have Braille library materials provided directly to eligible Maine residents without cost to users.

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Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Maine State Library

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Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Maine State Library

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library for the blind and physically handicapped

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Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Maine State Library

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Maine State Library Outreach arranges with the Perkins School for the Blind to have Braille library materials provided directly to eligible Maine residents without cost to users.

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Apps as Assistive Technology (AT) – Maine CITE

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Apps as Assistive Technology (AT) – Maine CITE

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To aid consumers and professionals who may be interested in knowing more about various mobile devices (including smart watches) and the assorted "apps" than can be used as assistive technology, we have assembled this resource.
Last updated: June 4, 2018
The links are added in reversed chronological order with the newest items designated with an asterisk *.

If you find something that is outdated, or something that we should add to the list, please contact John Brandt at jbrandt@mainecite.org

"Buyer Beware"

When purchasing any product, consumers need to do their homework and examine the quality of each purchase/download carefully. The resources here are for informational purposes and are not an endorsement of any product or device (please see our disclaimer below). Most of the "app stores" have a place where users can rate and comment about the various apps. We recommend that you read these reviews carefully. While many of the apps listed in this resource are free to download, some cost a considerable amount of money and many are sold with a no refund policy (see Getting Refunds for your iTunes Store Purchases; Apple's iTunes Store Terms and Conditions; Google Android Market return policy)

The Resources - Lists of Apps

* (Apps) AT for Managing Stress - AT3 Center Tips and News

* Top assistive technology and apps for people with sight loss - Disability Horizons

Free and Low-cost Assistive Technology (PDF) - apps, extensions, programs - QIAT in Post Secondary. (See also their webinar on topic of free and low-cost AT)

100+ Best Autism and Special Needs Apps for Learning Disabled Students - A Day in Our Shoes

21 Best Apps for Seniors - a Place for Mom

10 Best iPhone Apps for Seniors - The Senior List

18 Unexpectedly Innovative Apps for Seniors - Fox Hill

2017 Best Apps for Seniors - Senior Homes

10 Helpful Apps for Senior Citizens - LifeHack

Best Mobile Apps for Those Recovering from a TBI - Trymunity

34 Assistive Technology Apps From Edshelf - Teachthoughts

5 AT Apps for Students with Special Needs - The Tech Edvocate

Assistive Technology for Students with Dyslexia-22 Apps and Resources - Reading Horizons

The top dictation apps - Disability Horizons

7 Apps to Help Calm Individuals with Autism, Anxiety, Other Special Needs - Easterseals Crossroads

PDF Apps and Extensions - list for scanning of PDFs - from Hillary Goldthwait-Fowles, ATP

ASD App Wheel (PDF) - Apps for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Three Text to Speech Apps - inData Project.

Five top apps for people with limited mobility - Assistive Technology Blog.

8 New Apps for Tweens and Teens With Learning and Attention Issues - Understood.

Apps That Help Students with Low Vision in the Classroom - Perkins School for the Blind.

Apps for Students with Learning Disabilities/Dyslexia - a new resource from Maine CITE.

iPad Accessibility Apps - from Carlton College.

Apps for Kids (and Adults) with Hearing Loss - from Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Assistive Technology (AT) for Students with Dyslexia - Dyslexia Materials - apps as well as other AT discussed.

6 Apps Senior Care Professionals Should Ensure Every New Resident Has - Keystone Technologies

The 39 Best Health and Fitness Apps of 2016 - Greatist

The Best Diabetes iPhone and Android Apps of 2015 - Healthline Media

Executive Functioning App Matrix - provides by Diana Petschauer, M.Ed, ATP and Stacy Driscoll, M.Ed, ATP of Assistive Technology for Education

Popular Health Apps for Consumers - AOTA Blogs

Go back to school with these apps by AssistiveWare! - from Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

5 Apple Watch Apps for Visually Impaired - from Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

Special education apps from Teach with Your iPad.

Brain Injury and Assistive Technology: 10 Devices for Memory Loss - IPAT.

Best Mobile Apps for Sensory Impairments - AT Blog.

Best Apps for Kids - special education.

Android Apps for Special Education on Pinterest by Lauren S. Enders, MA, CCC-SLP.

Complete guide to educational and special needs apps - from One Place for Special Needs.

AT in NH - Apps and other AT Resources

Miami University - Favorite iOS Apps for educators.

Mobile Applications - from The National Center for Telehealth and Technlogy.

CommonSenseMedia - reviews of apps for kids.

Eric Sailor's Speech & Language Pathology Apps resource website (revised).

Bridging Apps - List of Apps (formerly SNapps4Kids) Houston Easter Seals.

"Cool Apps for your Therapy Toolbag" at Not Your Average Therapy Bag - this resource has numerous links.

Moms with Apps.

Apps for Children with Special Needs (a4cwsp).

Reviews and Articles about Apps

Disclaimer

The Maine CITE Program offers this website to help people find and get the AT they need and want. This is part of the public service mission of the University of Maine System. Maine CITE does not endorse any of the devices or applications listed on this site. It is the sole responsibility of the users of this site to check out the devices and applications listed. Maine CITE is not responsible for users' actions or inactions, is not involved in the transactions between users and vendors, and has no control over and does not guarantee the suitability, fitness, condition, quality, safety or legality of devices or applications listed, or the accuracy of any information posted.

BY USING THIS SERVICE, YOU ACCEPT THE ABOVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND AGREE TO RELEASE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMESS THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM AND ITS MAINE CITE PROGRAM FROM ANY CLAIMS, LOSSES, JUDGEMENTS, COSTS, FINES, PENALTIES OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE OR INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE.

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To aid consumers and professionals who may be interested in knowing more about various mobile devices (including smart watches) and the assorted "apps" than can be used as assistive technology, we have assembled this resource. Last updated: June 4, 2018 The links are added in reversed chronological order with the newest items designated with an asterisk *.

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Learning Tools to improve reading and writing skills - Office Support

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Learning Tools to improve reading and writing skills - Office Support

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Learning Tools are free tools that implement proven techniques to improve reading and writing for people regardless of their age or ability. Read more about Learning Tools' features and the products that offer them below, or select your product to get started.

Learning Tools features available in Microsoft products

Check ﻿languages supported by Learning Tools.﻿

Immersive Reader

Read Aloud

Syllables

Parts of Speech: Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives

Line Focus

Dictate

Picture Dictionary

Comprehension

Feature Description

Recognizes text from images and files

Reduces file length

Highlights words while reading them out loud

Separates words into syllables

Shows verbs, nouns, and adjectives in different colors

Highlights one, three, or five lines of text

Writes words as they are said with correct punctuation

Clicking certain words will show a picture signifying the word

Highlights dependent clauses within sentences

OneNote Desktop

Windows 8

Windows 8.1

Windows 10

(2016)

OneNote Mac

OneNote iPad

Word Desktop

Word Mac

Word iPad

Outlook Desktop

Office Lens

Edge

Web page (RS3 update)

PDF (RS3 update)

ePub (RS3 update)

Reading view (RS4 update)

Reading view (RS4 update)

ePub (RS4 update)

Reading view (RS4 update)

ePub (RS4 update)

Improving reading skills: Decoding, fluency, and comprehension

The research about reading identifies three separate reading skills: decoding, fluency, and comprehension.

Decoding: Understanding individual words by breaking them into meaningful pieces

Learning tools improve decoding by letting the reader see words highlighted at the same time they hear the words spoken. This implements research published in 2012 by Floyd and Judge.

Immersive Reader (OneNote, Office Lens on iPhone), and Read Mode with Read Aloud (Word) recognizes text from images, then highlights words as they are read out loud.

Sound segmentation, which is breaking written words apart into separate syllables, is an important part of decoding. Syllables (OneNote, Word) lets readers see words separated into syllables.

Fluency: Reading accurately and quickly

To increase accuracy, research published in 2012 by Zorzi showed 50% fewer reading errors when people with dyslexia increased spacing. To increase speed, research published in 2013 by Schneps showed a 27% increase in reading speed when using short line lengths.

Spacing (Word, Office Lens on iPhone, OneNote) allows readers to increase text spacing (including between letters, words, and lines of text), and shorten line length.

Comprehension: Understanding what you read

Comprehension is the ability to understand what you read. Comprehension can improve by 30% just by adding line breaks between clauses according to Graf & Torrey (1966).

Comprehension (OneNote desktop) shows grammatical clauses by adding brackets around dependent clauses. Parts of Speech, part of Comprehension, adds colored text for verbs, adjectives, and nouns.

Breaking words apart into syllables can increase reading comprehension by 10% , according to research by Yu-Chi Tai in a study supported by Microsoft. Syllables (OneNote, Word) lets readers see words separated into syllables.

Improving writing skills: Enhanced dictation

Learning tools improve writing skills by letting the author speak, and see words and sentences correctly spelled and punctuated. Writers can concentrate on organizing their thoughts, while absorbing the appropriate representation of those thoughts. Dictate is available in OneNote on Windows PCs.

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Learning Tools to improve reading and writing skills

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Learning Tools are free tools that implement proven techniques to improve reading and writing for people regardless of their age or ability. Read more about Learning Tools' features and the products that offer them below, or select your product to get started.

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Accessibility - Monica's Google Site 101

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Accessibility - Monica's Google Site 101

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Accessibility - Monica's Google Site 101

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www.handchallenge.com Belk Service Learning challenge , and remain grateful for the support and love we received from Belk and Discovery Education. The Hand Challenge was born of a desire to help anyone with access to a 3D Printer be able to be a part of work that can change the life of a child.

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Teachers With Apps brings you 31 super speech and language iPad apps for home, classroom, and/or the therapist's office. Speech and language is one area of educational apps that has exploded with smashing success. The prices range anywhere from free to expensive-there is a stuttering app that runs almost $1,000! Don't fret, most are reasonable and many have a free/lite version.

More importantly, SLPs feel they are getting results like never before. Below you will find 31 super speech and language iPad apps that we and several SLPs consider to be the most effective. The apps are listed in no particular order, except... however, we did start our list with Mobile Education Store, as Kyle Tomson's first-class apps were the first of this sort that TWA reviewed.
31 Speech And Language Apps For iPad
1. ConversationBuilderTeen is a conversation simulator designed to help teenaged children learn how to have multi-exchange conversations with their peers, in a variety of social settings. The auditory pattern of conversation is presented in a visual format to help students recognize and master the flow of conversation. ConversationBuilder is designed to help elementary aged children.

2. Story Builder for iPad targets picture description, word order, sentence formation, vocabulary, making predictions, cause/effect, pronouns, verb tense, and sequencing. It is designed to help children improve in paragraph formation, integration of ideas, and making higher level abstractions by inference.

3. Language Builder targets picture description, sentence formation, word order, verb tense, vocabulary, pronouns. It is designed to help children improve sentence ideation, sentence formation, and receptive and expressive language.

4. Preposition Builder targets picture description and sentences formation using appropriate prepositions. It is designed to help elementary aged children learn to use prepositions and learn how prepositions can change the meaning of a sentence.

5. TenseBuilder is designed to help students learn how to identify and use correct tense forms by playing movie quality animated videos to demonstrate past, present and future tense. 48 video lessons (will expand to 54) are in place to help give students a deeper understanding about the purpose of tense. Special attention is paid to the past tense of irregular verbs.

6. Question Builder is designed to help elementary aged children learn to answer abstract questions and create responses based on inference. Extensive use of audio clips promotes improved auditory processing for special needs children with autism spectrum disorders or sensory processing disorders.

7. Sentence Builder is designed to help elementary aged children learn how to build grammatically correct sentences. Attention is paid to the connector words that make up over 80% of the English language. Sentence Builder offers a rich and fun environment for improving the grammar of all children.social settings. SentenceBuilderTeen is designed to help teenage children learn how to build grammatically correct sentences.

8. Rainbow Sentences is designed to help students improve their ability to construct grammatically correct sentences, the who, what, where, and why parts of sentences are color coded to help students recognize and understand how combinations of these parts create basic sentence structure.

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9. Profile of Phonological Awareness was developed for the purpose of evaluating and describing the phonological awareness skills of children.

10. Articulate Scenes allows children to practice their sounds with a variety of engaging and fun activities based on the cinema.

11. Social Quest improves pragmatic language comprehension and expression in a variety of social situations for older elementary, middle school, and high school-aged populations.

12. Syntax City targets a variety of grammatical elements for elementary and middle school children. The English rules of plurals, irregular verbs and verb agreement are addressed.

13. Articulate It! is designed to help SLPs work towards improving the speech of children with speech delays. It contains over 1 thousand images in all sounds of the English language. Voice recording and data collection included.

14. iName it was designed by and for speech-language pathologists to assist individuals with word finding difficulty secondary to aphasia. Additionally, it can benefit individuals with apraxia that are assisted by visual and sentence completion cues.

15. Language Empires is designed for elementary age students and targets 8 goals: Answering how, why, and which questions, inferencing, vocabulary, predicting, figurative language, and sequencing.

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16. Proloquo2Go provides a master solution to assist anyone who may have difficulty speaking. This communication system redefines AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication).

17. Pictello is a simple way to create talking photo albums and talking books. Each page in a Pictello Story can contain a picture, up to five lines of text, and a recorded sound or text-to-speech using high-quality voices. Target: social stories, story retell, etc.

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20. SLP Minimal Pairs Full, by SLP Tech Tools, uses pairs of 367 words to help clients identify and correct phonological sounds. Developed by speech-language pathologists, this app can help identify phonological disorders in children age pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade.

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21. Speech With Milo Apps, by Doonan Speech Therapy, are a series of nine speech apps to build language skills working on sequencing, vocabulary, and basic subject + verb + object sentences.)
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23. Phonics Studio, by Grasshopperapps.com,makes learning how to pronounce words fun and easy. Mastering pronunciation, your students will also greatly expand their existing vocabulary since the app comes fully loaded with over 2,500 gorgeous flash cards.

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26. iCommunicate, by Grembe Inc. lets you design visual schedules, storyboards, communication boards, routines, flash cards, choice boards, speech cards, and more. It is customizable to meet your needs.
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31. My PlayHome, by Shimon Young, again not specifically for speech and language, but every SLP has it on their list. It is the original and best doll house app. Massively interactive, your kids can explore and use everything in the house. The characters eat, sleep, shower, brush their teeth, open the closets, watch TV and take showers.
Image attribution flickr user jasmic

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Teachers With Apps brings you 31 super speech and language iPad apps for home, classroom, and/or the therapist's office. Speech and language is one area of educational apps that has exploded with smashing success. The prices range anywhere from free to expensive-there is a stuttering app that runs almost $1,000!

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Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader - Chrome Web Store

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Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader - Chrome Web Store

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Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader

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Read out loud the current web-page article with one click. Supports 40+ languages.

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Best Apps for Kids with Autism | Common Sense Education

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Best Apps for Kids with Autism | Common Sense Education

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Find tools to help kids build important social and communication skills. Explore this Best Apps for Kids with Autism Top Picks list of 19 tools curated by Common Sense Education editors to find relevant and engaging edtech solutions for your classroom.

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Apple offers new color screen filter for iPhones and iPads

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Apple offers new color screen filter for iPhones and iPads

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Apple now offers a color filter for iPhones and iPads

We've got good news for all you Apple users out there: iOS 10 for mobile devices now includes a Color Screen Filter you can customize to make your device Irlen-friendly! We know you have been begging for a digital colored overlay for your iPhones and iPads, and now you can have one - simply by adjusting the built-in accessibility settings on your device.
WHY WE LOVE THIS TECHNOLOGY:
If you struggle with glare, discomfort, or blurry words when you use your iPhones and iPads, this might be just what you've been waiting for. Like the Irlen Colored Overlay App for Android devices, once you set your Apple's Color Screen Filter, it covers your entire screen all the time, no matter what App you're using. This allows you to get maximum benefit from the feature the entire time you use your device. You won't find any preset Irlen Overlay colors here (yet!), but you can use the feature's two simple sliders to adjust the color and intensity and create a filter that works for you. As you already know, having the right color filter increases your comfort, fluency and accuracy when reading; this new feature means you may be able to read and work on your device for longer periods of time without strain or fatigue.
How To Turn On the Color Screen Filter And Find Your Color

1. Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Display Accommodations and select Color Filters.

2. When you turn on Color Filters, you'll want to ignore the four preset color schemes they offer and instead select the last option, "Color Tint," to create your own color filter. "Color Tint" will then give you two sliders (hue and intensity) to manipulate until you reach the filter that works best for you.

Watch our step-by-step video for turning on and setting up your color screen filter: PROS:
It's customizable. Apple had Irlen sufferers in mind when they developed their Color Screen Filter. The inclusion of the Color Tint option, which allows you to customize your own color filter, is perfect for people with Irlen Syndrome. We know everyone's brains are different, and as such, everyone's optimal color is unique. The sliders in Apple's Color Screen Filter allow you slide through the color spectrum until you find a color that feels good, AND it lets you adjust the density of that color, making it one of the most custom digital overlays available.

It's easy to use. Go into your settings, adjust the sliders, and you're done! No downloads, no incompatibility issues, no clunky applications. The hardest thing about using this feature is finding it in your settings.

It's always on. Because the color filter is built right into your device's settings, once you turn it on and set your color, it will stay on until you go back into your settings and turn it off again. You can change applications, it's still on. You can turn off your device and reboot, it's still on. We're not sure why you'd ever want to turn it off once you find a color that works for you, but if you do, Apple's even given you a shortcut for that. Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut and select Color Filters (just a note, the Accessibility Shortcut option is all the way at the bottom of the menu, so scroll down!). Once you have Color Filters set up, you can quickly turn them on or off, by triple-clicking the Home button on your device. Alternatively, you can go back into your accessibility settings and turn it on and off from there.

It remembers your color. As you might expect, once you set your color filter, your device will remember your color even if you turn off the color filter and turn it back on later. You won't have to set up your color again.

Print stays clear and black. The clarity and color of the text on your screen isn't affected by the color filter, no matter what intensity you select. Words on the screen will remain crisp and easy to see, even if you have a dark color filter.
CONS:
There are no preset Irlen Overlay colors. While it may be a bit unfair for us to wish there was an easy way to identify the 10 Irlen Overlay colors, we do! For those of you who already know your Irlen color, it might take you a few minutes to find a color that matches (or comes close). And, unfortunately, those of you who use a gray overlay won't find that option in this color screen filter (although you should be able to get a similar effect by dimming the screen).

You can't combine colors. We know some of you need to combine multiple Irlen Overlay colors to achieve your optimal color, and this color screen filter won't let you do that. As a result, some of you may not be able to find the perfect overlay color, but we still think you'll find something that makes it easier and more comfortable to use your device.

Colors on the screen may change. This isn't necessarily something we'd change, it's more like something we want you to be aware of: as you increase the intensity of a color, you may notice that some colors on the screen change. For example, a dark magenta filter makes green turn black. A dark red filter makes red images disappear. A dark turquoise filter makes red turn black. Just know that's going to happen.
Tips on Selecting Your Apple Color Screen Filter:
The images are NOT clickable; you must use the sliders to select a color filter. You'll see an image of rainbow colored pencils (and can scroll through 2 other images intended to give you an idea of how to select your color) that you'll want to click on, but these images are just there for reference, to show you how colors might change when you apply your color filter to your device. To actually adjust the color of the filter, you will need to use the sliders and set the hue/intensity yourself.

It helps to choose your filter against the maximum intensity. When the intensity setting was lower, it was more difficult to distinguish between colors, and we weren't sure what color we were looking at. So, move the intensity slider all the way to the right before selecting a hue, then adjust to find the perfect filter for you. Stronger intensity as a starting point made it easier for us to identify and choose a color option.

Focus on comfort before clarity. When setting up your color filter, you should pick the color that is most comfortable - one that is soothing, calming, and relaxing. Some colors may make you feel invigorated or energized, or may make the text look extra crisp or sharp, but trust us, that's not your goal. People with Irlen Syndrome need a color that calms their brain, and your optimal color screen filter will feel calm and soothing.
Our Final Thoughts

This is a needed, exciting feature for our daily tech devices.

We think Apple's new Color Screen Filter is a great feature of new iPhones and iPads. For Irlen Syndrome sufferers who are devoted to their Apple products, it will make you love your devices even more! After thoroughly testing it, we think Apple's Color Screen Filter may significantly improve your ability to use these devices more comfortably, more effectively, and for longer periods of time without strain and fatigue.

This is a great additional resource for Irlen sufferers.

Without a doubt, the optimal solution for Irlen Syndrome continues to be Irlen Spectral Filters, because those filters are individualized, tuned specifically for your brain, and protect your brain all the time (not just when you read a device screen). As a result, Irlen Spectral Filters can result in dramatic changes in behavior, autonomic nervous system function, sleep patterns, depth perception, sports performance, driving, physical symptoms, and emotional stability that really can't be achieved any other way. However, sometimes Irlen Spectral Filters just aren't an option, and that is when this Apple Color Screen Filter is a compelling option. So, at the moment, Apple's Color Screen Filter is not a substitute for your Irlen Spectral Filters, but can be a shortcut to reducing some of the difficulty Irlen audiences have with screens. The color filter Apple has created is likely to increase how much you enjoy your device and how much you can use it. For all of these reasons, we love that Apple has made their device more Irlen-friendly! At a time when over 15% of the general population is suffering from Irlen Syndrome, this feature is going to make a lot of people very happy!

If you're using the Apple Colored Filter, we'd love to hear about your experience with it!

For more information about the new Color Screen Filter Accessibilities Setting, visit: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207025

For more information about Irlen Syndrome and how color can help, visit: www.irlen.com

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Apple offers new color screen filter for iPhones and iPads

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We've got good news for all you Apple users out there: iOS 10 for mobile devices now includes a Color Screen Filter you can customize to make your device Irlen-friendly! We know you have been begging for a digital colored overlay for your iPhones and iPads, and now you can have one - simply by adjusting the built-in accessibility settings on your device.

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Thisissand is a unique playground for creating and sharing amazing sandscapes on your computer or mobile device. Start pouring away to experience this special sand piling on your screen!

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14 Free Text To Speech Tools For Educators - eLearning Industry

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14 Free Text To Speech Tools For Educators - eLearning Industry

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Would you like to relax your students' tired eyes? What if you could convert any written text into spoken words? What about running a PowerPoint presentation and also have a narration of the text on your slides? Would you be interested in a list of 14 free text to speech tools?

Free Text To Speech Tools For Educators
Editor's note: We have originally written and published this article in December 2012. Following the latest developments in the fast paced field of technology, we have updated this piece in November 2015 in the hope that you will keep finding it useful. Thank you for sharing!
The following list includes 14 free text to speech (TTS) tools that your students will love! Most of them are user friendly and some of them need to be installed at your browser. But the most awesome about these text to speech tools is that they are all free! Have you used any of the following tools? If yes, which is your favorite?

1. Announcify
Listen to your web. After Announcify conquered Android phones, it's now here to announcify your life at Google Chrome. Announcify reads out loud every website you want. For example, if you're too tired but still need to study one more Wikipedia entry, Announcify can help your tired eyes relax.

2. QR voice
QR voice encodes a given text message into QR code (a two-dimensional barcode which has encoded any kind of data) that once scanned by a QR scanner smartphone application reproduces the message with a synthesized voice. It allows users to converts text to speech, generates QR Code for speech URL, and simplifies share text to speech files.

3. Select and Speak
Select and Speak uses iSpeech's human sounding text to speech to let you select text from almost any website and make it talk. It includes many iSpeech text to speech voices in different languages; it has recently added Arabic, Korean, and Greek text to speech to the Select and Speak Chrome app. You can also request additional languages by contacting them!

4. SpeakIt!
SpeakIt! provides native support for speech on Windows (using SAPI 5), Mac OS X, and Chrome OS, using speech synthesis capabilities provided by the operating system. On all platforms, the user can install extensions that register themselves as alternative speech engines.

5. SpokenText
SpokenText lets you easily convert text into speech. Record (English, French, Spanish, or German) PDF, Word, plain text, PowerPoint files, and web pages, and converts them to speech automatically. Download your recordings as mp3 or m4b (audio book) files (in English, French, Spanish and German) of any text content on your computer or mobile phone.

Last but not least, in the article Top 10 Text To Speech (TTS) Software For eLearning, you will find the best text to speech software for eLearning, so that you can be able to explore your options and select the right text to speech software for you.

You may also find the following lists of tools useful:

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14 Free Text To Speech Tools For Educators - eLearning Industry

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Would you like to relax your students' tired eyes? What if you could convert any written text into spoken words? What about running a PowerPoint presentation and also have a narration of the text on your slides? Would you be interested in a list of 14 free text to speech tools?

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PresenceLearning – Live online speech therapy for schools, parents, and clinicians who love to see kids thrive

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PresenceLearning – Live online speech therapy for schools, parents, and clinicians who love to see kids thrive

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We are here to empower you. As the leading provider of live, online therapy and evaluation services in PreK-12 schools, Presence offers more income opportunities, a large community of support, and flexible scheduling options.

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Expand access to services and engage students in new ways with our award-winning technology and network of expert clinicians.

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The technology and support you need to help your students grow

CentralReach PK-12 accelerates student progress through data-driven insights. With CentralReach, build a collaborative student support network with parents, teachers and therapists and provide your staff with professional development and educational resources. Furthermore, receive unparalleled expertise and support from our educators and clinicians on staff to ensure successful implementation and ongoing advancement.

Accelerate student progress with customizable IEP goals you can easily track and manage.

Data-Driven Insights Inform Instruction and Accelerate Progress

With CentralReach's robust data collection software, you can easily track IEP goals, collect student data, create, implement and track effective behavior intervention plans, and analyze and customize graphs, charts, and reports showing student progress.

Learn More About Data Collection

Unparalleled CentralReach Expertise, Support, and Service

With CentralReach support you get access to educators and clinicians on staff with over 100+ years combined experience. Choose from robust training options from online to in-person sessions, and benefit from continuity of care from implementation to ongoing support.

Learn More About Our Service & Support

Professional Development/Training and Curriculum Resources with Our Marketplace and LMS Tools

We give you the power to use the integrated self-paced learning management system with custom onboarding and training capabilities. You can also assign courses for ongoing professional development and track learning progress, choose from free and affordable courses and content, ranging from behavior analysis to social skills, and finally create your own courses and content to share with other educators and sell in the Marketplace.

Learn More About the Marketplace

Parent, Educator and Therapist Collaboration and Coordination for 360° Student Support

CentralReach's 360° ecosystem allows you to track attendance and schedules, manage all student services and therapies in one place, manage IEP's, 504, and gifted student, and leverage IDEA compliance and document management.

You can also get 2-way communication with provider and parent logins, as well as coordinate education and care with collaboration tools including session handoff and "ReachMe" real-time HIPAA-secure chat.

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CentralReach PK-12 accelerates student progress through data-driven insights. With CentralReach, build a collaborative student support network with parents, teachers and therapists and provide your staff with professional development and educational resources. Furthermore, receive unparalleled expertise and support from our educators and clinicians on staff to ensure successful implementation and ongoing advancement.

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Blackboard Ally | Accessibility in Education

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Blackboard Ally | Accessibility in Education

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Blackboard Ally | Accessible content is better content

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Ensure your online courses are ADA compliant by using Blackboard Ally to create accessible course content.

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Highlight to Search allows you search keywords by highlighting instead of typing them into a search box.

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Center on Technology and Disability (CTD)

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Center on Technology and Disability (CTD)

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Tech Finder | Technology Apps for Learning Disabilities and Issues

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Tech Finder | Technology Apps for Learning Disabilities and Issues

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Apps for Kids with Special Needs and Learning Disabilities | Common Sense Media

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Find apps, games, and other tools to help kids with special needs and learning disabilities acquire and improve skills from communication and reading to math.

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Change or invert the color scheme to make webpages easier to read.

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Bookshare | An Accessible Online Library for people with print disabilities

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Bookshare | An Accessible Online Library for people with print disabilities

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Bookshare | An Accessible Online Library for people with print disabilities

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Bookshare makes reading easier. People with dyslexia, blindness, cerebral palsy, and other reading barriers can customize their experience to suit their learning style and find virtually any book they need for school, work, or the joy of reading.

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keyboarding for the physically handicapped

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Teachers' Institute for Special Education. Keyboarding for the Physically Handicapped. This program enables people to type regardless of how their hands may be disabled - missing fingers, arthritis, and so on. The Master Edition contains 20 different abilities covering all the possible missing finger combinations, from one finger through all ten fingers.

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Before You Consider Adaptive Technology - Options for One Hand Typing and Keyboarding

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Before You Consider Adaptive Technology - Options for One Hand Typing and Keyboarding

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attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity

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pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified

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Before You Consider Adaptive Technology - Options for One Hand Typing and Keyboarding

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The goal of bridges4kids is to provide as much timely, useful information as possible to both parents and professionals regarding children with special needs, disabilities, and those who are at-risk.

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Teaching One Hand Typing and Keyboarding

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Teaching One Hand Typing and Keyboarding

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Teaching One Hand Typing and Keyboarding

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Bookshare | An Accessible Online Library for people with print disabilities

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Bookshare | An Accessible Online Library for people with print disabilities

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Bookshare | An Accessible Online Library for people with print disabilities

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Bookshare makes reading easier. People with dyslexia, blindness, cerebral palsy, and other reading barriers can customize their experience to suit their learning style and find virtually any book they need for school, work, or the joy of reading.

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Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Maine State Library

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Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Maine State Library

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library for the blind and physically handicapped

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Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Maine State Library

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Maine State Library Outreach arranges with the Perkins School for the Blind to have Braille library materials provided directly to eligible Maine residents without cost to users.

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LD OnLine: The world's leading website on learning disabilities and ADHD

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LD OnLine: The world's leading website on learning disabilities and ADHD

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LD OnLine | All About Learning Disabilities and ADHD

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LD OnLine seeks to help children and adults reach their full potential by providing accurate information, advise, and shared personal experiences about learning disabilities and ADHD.

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Reading and Light.com - Irlen info and treatment

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This page shows more clearly in a Typefaces for dyslexia pdf file. (Thanks to the visitor who pointed out that the fonts needed to be embedded.)

The designers below found that dyslexic readers liked:

Good ascenders and descenders,
b, d, f, h, k, l, t, and all capitals; g, j, p, q, y.

b and d; p and q distinguished, not mirror images.

Different forms for capital I, lowercase l and digit 1.

Rounded g as in handwriting. Most liked rounded a, although perhaps some felt that it may be confused with o.

Letter-spacing, e.g. r, n together rn should not look like m,
('modern' may scan as, or sound like, 'modem'.)

We do not know whether any researchers have tested reading speed, accuracy or comprehension with different typefaces; nor whether they researched for screen or print presentation, apart from Sassoon and Barrington Stoke.

Publishers often ask the British Dyslexia Association which typeface dyslexic people prefer, for PDF files, web and print. For word-processed files on-screen, they like set their own preferences of style, size, colour and background colour, though it may upset the pagination, so MS Word is the most useful format.

Some dyslexic people have expressed strong feelings about typefaces, but there is no agreement apart from saying it should be sans serif. This document and all B.D.A. tech pages are in Verdana.

We asked dyslexia forum members. Only a few people responded. So it may not be a burning issue for most dyslexic people. On-screen and print preferences may differ. A DSA Assessor noted student preference for 1.5 line spacing. It is likely that line length, line spacing and font size are just as important. Bigelow and Holmes make this point in their 2014 review of research which found no evidence for a best typeface for dyslexia. Arnold Wilkins showed that children aged 7 to 9 read better with a bigger font size

2. Free fonts designed for dyslexia.

3. Purchasable fonts, specially designed.

4. Publisher-only fonts, designed for dyslexia.

The most commonly used fonts come with Microsoft Office. You can download free ones or buy fonts, for printing or for PDF files. However M.S. Word will not retain them for circulation, if the recipients have not got them.

1. Microsoft Office Typefaces.

It is simpler to keep to sans serif fonts that are in Microsoft Office, though none have all the good points listed above.

The font samples shown have identical settings, but the size, (12 point); the letter spacing (normal) and the line spacing (1.5) show very differently.

Some people using Macs have stated a preference for Helvetica.

Some students are required to use Arial, so they get used to it and state a preference for it. Arial comes early in the alphabetical list of options. You can get more on a page, because the letters are too close together! The rounded g is good. r and n are very close.

Comic Sans is the most popular Microsoft font for children. However, some dyslexic adults consider it looks childish. They love it or hate it. It was designed for comic strips. It is not considered professional in the publishing or academic worlds. There is even a 'ban comic sans' web! It meets all dyslexic 'likes' except mirrored b and d.

Century Gothic.

Some dyslexic people like this, perhaps for the roundness of all the letters. It is good that n is not a vertical reversal of u, but in cursive handwriting, u joins from the bottom.

Verdana is much bigger, at the same 12 point. It does well with I, l, 1.

This has a 'double-story g'. It slightly distinguishes I, l, 1.

Enquirers have asked B.D.A. tech about Calibri. Some preferences have been noted. Could this be because it is Microsoft default, and people are used to it? It is considerably smaller than other typefaces. It has a 'double-story g'. Capitals are considerably shorter than ascenders, I, l, 1. q has no quiff.

2. Free fonts designed for dyslexia:

Lexia Readable.

Open Dyslexic, Open-Dyslexic, OpenDyslexic.

Christian Boer from Studio Studio in the Netherlands devised the typeface Dyslexie. The University of Twente has done independent research on the typeface. Dyslexie is now free for personal use.

Back to the top

3. Purchasable fonts specially designed.

Rosemary Sassoon designed the Sassoon fonts for print for very young children, not necessarily dyslexic ones, in the late 1980s. Teachers like them. No one suggests them for adults. They have rounded 'a' and 'g', and non-mirrored 'b' and 'd'. The cheapest package is £28.

"Overall, mainstream and special needs children chose letters with a slight slant, plain (sans serif) tops and exit strokes on the baseline. These help to clump the letters together into words. The added features were clear, open counters and slightly lengthened ascenders and descenders to accentuate the word shape."

Dr. Robert Hillier, a Senior Lecturer at Norwich University College of Arts designed 'Rob's Fonts'. The cheapest package costs £56.

"For the majority of dyslexic readers tested generous word spacing allied to the (light) weight and slightly condensed form (due to long ascenders and descenders) of the Sylexiad fonts were important. This would suggest that for subjects with reading difficulties it is the combination of spacing, weight and overall form of a typeface that is important rather than individual letterform design." Doctoral thesis 2007. PDF file.

4. Publisher-only typefaces.

Barrington Stoke books:

Patience Thomson, former head of Fairley House School for dyslexic pupils, was the co-founder of Barrington Stoke publishers.

They produce high interest, easy reading level books by well-known authors, mainly for children, but with some for adults.

The company says that it commissioned a specially designed typeface to expert guidelines, to encourage a smooth read. It is based on the natural style of handwriting.

Read Regular.

Natascha Frensch, from the Netherlands, is dyslexic. She designed Read Regular while doing a master's degree at the London School of Art.

It has all the points that dyslexic readers like, but the web forbids copying. It is not available for purchase.

Further information.

There is further information about document presentation in Dyslexia Style Guide on B.D.A web.

Comparison page Typefaces for Dyslexia on Iansyst web.

© B.D.A. New Technologies Committee. August 2015.
Copies of this page may be made providing it is unchanged and the source is acknowledged.

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This page shows more clearly in a Typefaces for dyslexia pdf file. (Thanks to the visitor who pointed out that the fonts needed to be embedded.) The designers below found that dyslexic readers liked: Good ascenders and descenders, b, d, f, h, k, l, t, and all capitals; g, j, p, q, y.

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Videos about the education of children with visual impairments

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Control Alt Achieve: Chrome Extensions for Struggling Students and Special Needs

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Control Alt Achieve: Chrome Extensions for Struggling Students and Special Needs

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Chrome Extensions for Struggling Students and Special Needs

Technology can be a powerful tool to assist students when learning, as it provides accessibility and accommodations to support everyone. In particular the Chrome web browser allows users to install a wide variety of web extensions that provide tools that can help all learners.

In this blog post we will take a look at dozens of Chrome web extensions and apps and other tools and features that can assist students in seven main categories:

🗣️ Text to Speech

☑️ Behavior, Focus, and Organization

Some of the tools fit into more than one topic, but each is only listed once. Certainly this list does not cover all of the useful web extensions and tools available for learners, but it is a great place to begin.

In addition to the list of extensions and tools, I have also linked in the video from a webinar I did on " Google Tools to Support All Learners" along with my ever-growing resource document and slideshow from the session.

▶️ Training Video (54 minutes)

🗣️ Text to Speech Tools

Read&Write for Google Chrome
Chrome web extension link
The "Swiss Army Knife" of extensions with tools including word prediction, dictionary, picture dictionary, text to speech, screenshot reader, speech maker, screen mask, translator, highlighters, voice note, and more. Works on webpages, PDFs, Google Docs, and Google Slides.
Note: There is a paid version with all the tools and a free version with a subset of the tools. Educators can get the paid version for a year at no cost by filling out the form at: https://www.texthelp.com/products/free-for-teachers/

The Immersive Reader extension can read aloud any text you have selected, as well as providing additional reading supports. These include Text Preferences to change the text size, increase or decrease spacing, change fonts, and colors, Grammar Options to break words into syllables, as well as color code and label the parts of speech, and Reading Preferences to turn on or off the picture dictionary option, and to select the language for translation.

Read Aloud
Chrome web extension link
This text-to-speech extension will read either the entire page or just the text that you have selected. In addition to the normal options to adjust the speed, pitch, and volume of the voice, the best feature is the wide collection of high-quality voices to choose from.

Announcify
Chrome web extension link
This is another text to speech tool that not only reads a webpage, but also removes distracting elements from the site. The only drawback is the inability to select specific text to read, as the entire page is read aloud.

ChromeOS Select-to-Speak

If you have a Chromebook, there is a built in tool for text-to-speak called " Select-to-speak". Nothing needs to be installed. It just needs to be turned on.

First click in the bottom right corner of your Chromebook screen to open the system menu.

Here click on the "Accessibility" icon.

Note: If you do not see the "Accessibility" icon you can click on the gear to go into the advanced settings to turn it on.

Now from the "Accessibility" menu click on the "Select-to-speak" option.

This will put a little speaker icon down in the bottom right corner.

Anytime you need to have something read aloud, just click the icon and drag your mouse to select the text you want to hear.

Using the toolbar you can also pause, change speeds, and jump forwards and backwards through the text.

Docs Voice Typing is not an extension that needs to be installed, but instead is actually built right into Google Docs and Google Slides. With voice typing you can simply speak and anything you say will automatically be typed for you.

When we are in a Google Doc we click the "Tools" menu and then choose "Voice Typing" from the drop down menu.

This will open up a floating microphone.

To start dictating to the document, we simply click the microphone icon.

Now anything you say will automatically be typed into the document.

In addition to words, you are also able to say punctuation. For a full list of all the commands you can speak, click the question mark icon below the microphone, and this will open up a help menu with all of the details.

When done, we just click the microphone again to stop the speech to text.

VoiceIn Voice Typing
Chrome web extension link
This speech-to-text extension allows the user to dictate text for any text box or text entry portion of a web page. You can either click the extension or right-click and choose "Start recording" to use it. Be sure to click the extension again to turn off the speech-to-text function when done.

Chromebook Dictation Tool

First click in the bottom right corner of your Chromebook screen to open the system menu.

Here click on the "Accessibility" icon.

Note: If you do not see the "Accessibility" icon you can click on the gear to go into the advanced settings to turn it on.

Now from the "Accessibility" menu click on the "Dictation" option to enable speech to text.

This will put a little microphone icon down in the bottom right corner.

Anytime you need to do speech to text just click on the "Dictation" icon and start speaking.

Anything you say will automatically be typed into the computer wherever you are.

This works in websites, documents, forms, and more.

If you are using a Chromebook there is actually a speech to text tool built right in. Nothing needs to be installed. It just needs to be turned on.

Present your slideshow as normal.

Click the "3-dots" button on the navigation bar.

Choose "Captions preference" and then toggle on the captions.

As you speak your words will be live captioned and will display on the screen.

Using the same menu you can adjust the size and position of the captions.

Live captions are available in several Google products including Slides and Meet. In Google Slides you can display live captions as follows:

👓 Readability Tools

Lexend fonts are intended to reduce visual stress and so improve reading performance. Initially they were designed with dyslexia and struggling readers in mind, but Bonnie Shaver-Troup, creator of the Lexend project, soon found out that these fonts are also great for everyone else.

Mercury Reader
Chrome web extension link
Make any website easier to read by removing ads, comments, and all other distractions, so just the core content remains. Users can also adjust the font size and color scheme of the new text.

Chrome web extension link
Override all fonts on a webpage with the OpenDyslexic font, making the text more easily readable.

Dyslexia Friendly
Chrome web extension link
This extension replaces the fonts on a web page with either OpenDyslexic or Comic Sans, and provides a horizontal shaded bar to help the user stay on the correct line when reading. The only drawback is there is no easy way to toggle it on and off, so you will want to use an extension management tool to let you turn it off when not in use.

WaspLine Reader
Chrome web extension link
This tool creates a more readable version of a web page by applying color gradients that make it easier for the eyes to chain together the ending of a line with the beginning of the next.

Color Overlay is a filter which puts a tint on your browser viewport to make text more readable. This could be used by people suffering by visual distortions reading the content on the normal background (Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome). The colored overlay can improve reading abilities of such users by reducing or eliminate perceptual processing errors.

ATbar
Chrome web extension link
Similar to the Color Overlay extension, this toolbar can generate color overlays for webpages, but also has features for a dictionary, text to speech, word prediction, and more.

MagicScroll Web Reader
Chrome web extension link
Turn web pages into a flippable e-book with easy clickable or keyboard control, as well as control over font size and page color as well.

Chrome web extension link
This screen overlay tool darkens out the page except for a horizontal band you can move up and down as you read, helping the student focus.

High Contrast
Chrome web extension link
This tool can make webpages easier to read by changing the colors to increase contrast, invert the colors, or switch to gray-scale.

Color Enhancer
Chrome web extension link
For people who are partially color-blind, this tool can help adjust and improve webpage colors.

Additional ChromeOS Features

📗 Reading Comprehension Tools

Google Dictionary
Chrome web extension link
Don't get stuck on an unknown word. Double-click on any word to get a pop-up definition, as well as spoken pronunciation for many words.

SMMRY
Chrome bookmark link
While not technically an extension, this tool functions very much like one and is launched from your Chrome bookmarks bar. Summarize any online article with a simple click of the SMMRY bookmark link. This will generate a simplified version with fewer sentences (7 by default) and just the most important information. Settings can be adjusted for longer or shorter summaries, as well as emphasis on certain desired words..

The QuillBot Chrome extension will summarize text as a new paragraph or by key sentences, in multiple levels of length. Sign in with your Google account for free to be able to summarize texts up to 5,000 characters at a time.

Auto Highlight
Chrome web extension link
This extension takes a different approach to summarizing. Instead of removing the non-essential portions of the text, it highlights what is most important. This allows the reader to still look at the rest of the article if needed. Three levels of highlighting can be chosen.

Behaviour, Focus, and Organization Tools

Simple Blocker
Chrome web extension link
This tool helps students to stay focused on their work by blocking distracting websites. The user can choose the sites to block, how long to block them, and optional password protection.

uBlock Origin
Chrome web extension link
A simple but powerful ad-blocking extension to help remove distracting ads from websites, making pages less cluttered and easier to read.

Move It
Chrome web extension link
For students who need a break, this extension can be set to periodically have them stop working and do something physical for a moment.

Google Keep
Chrome web extension link
Keep allows users to save and retrieve any information they come across including text, links, pictures, speech, handwriting, doodles, and more. The tool works as an extension, web site, Android app, and iOS app, and integrates into Google Docs, Slides, and Drawings.

Ambient audio sites and tools can let students create their own custom mix of background sounds to help them concentrate and drown out potentially distracting noises.

Pear Deck lets you add interactive elements to your slides including multiple choice, text entry, numeric entry, drawing, and draggable activities.

You can insert pre-made template slides provided in the Add-on.

Or you can add interactive elements to slides you have already created.

When you present the slideshow through the Pear Deck Add-on, students join the presentation and can interact with it.

You can show students responses by clicking the "Show Responses" button in the bottom right corner of the screen. Responses can be shown individually or aggregated together to look for patterns.

Pear Deck Webinar (1 hour) - Blog post

Pear Deck Add-on for Slides

This extension can make it easier for students to locate their mouse cursor by allowing them to customize the size and look of the mouse cursor.

Click-free Browsing
Chrome web extension link
For users who have a difficulty clicking a mouse, this extension adds on-screen navigation buttons the user can simply hover over to use.

Vimium
Chrome web extension link
Provides keyboard shortcuts for navigation and control for someone with difficulty using a mouse.

CrxMouse
Chrome web extension link
Use mouse gestures to navigate including forward, backward, scrolling, refreshing, switching tabs, and more. The user can even program their own custom mouse gestures to open programs and perform other tasks.

Caret Browsing
Chrome web extension link
This extension gives you a movable cursor in any web page, allowing you to move through the text with your arrows keys and select text with the keyboard.

Additional ChromeOS Features

Tools to support learners are constantly being created and improved, so be sure to check back often as I continue to update my resource documents " Google Tools to Support all Learners". And be sure to let me know of any tools you would recommend for the list. I look forward to learning from you!

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Chrome Extensions for Struggling Students and Special Needs

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Technology can be a powerful tool to assist students when learning, as it provides accessibility and accommodations to support everyone. In...

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Assistive technology tools: Listening | Parenting

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Assistive technology tools: Listening | Parenting

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Certain assistive technology (AT) tools can help people who have difficulty processing and remembering spoken language. Such devices can be used in various settings (e.g., a class lecture, or a meeting with multiple speakers).

AT tools that assist with listening fall into several categories:

Paper-based computer pen

This technology records and links audio to what a person writes using the pen and special paper. It enables the user to take notes while simultaneously recording someone( e.g., a teacher) speaking. The user can later listen to any section of his notes by touching the pen to his corresponding handwriting or diagrams.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool may benefit people who struggle with: writing, listening, memory and reading.
Products to consider
Personal FM listening systems

A personal FM listening system transmits a speaker's voice directly to the user's ear. This may help the listener focus on what the speaker is saying. The unit consists of a wireless transmitter (with microphone) worn by the speaker and a receiver (with earphone) worn by the listener.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool may benefit people who struggle with: listening or attention.
Products to consider
Variable-speed recorders

Recorders/players allow a user to listen to pre-recorded text or to capture spoken information (e.g., a classroom lecture) and play it back later. Variable-speed control (VSC) recorders speed up or slow down the playback rate without distorting the "speaker's" voice.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This tool may help people who struggle with: reading and listening.
Products to consider Resources to help you evaluate assistive technology for your child
The assistive technology products listed on our site have been compiled in consultation with Marshall Raskind, Ph.D. This does not represent a comprehensive list. The inclusion of any product is not intended as an endorsement. The information is provided to guide parents and educators in selecting products to meet children's specific needs.
Updated February 2010

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Assistive technology tools: Listening | Parenting

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Certain assistive technology (AT) tools can help people who have difficulty processing and remembering spoken language. Such devices can be used in various settings (e.g., a class lecture, or a meeting with multiple speakers). AT tools that assist with listening fall into several categories: This technology records and links audio to what a person writes using the pen and special paper.

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Assistive technology tools: Organization and memory | Parenting

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Assistive technology tools: Organization and memory | Parenting

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Assistive technology (AT) tools can help a person plan, organize, and keep track of his calendar, schedule, task list, contact information, and miscellaneous notes. These tools allow him to manage, store, and retrieve such information with the help of special software and hand-held devices.

AT tools that assist with organization and memory fall into several categories:

Free-form database software

Used in conjunction with word processing or other software, this tool allows the user to create and store electronic notes by "jotting down" relevant information of any length and on any subject. The student can later retrieve the information by typing any fragment of the original note.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool may help people who have difficulty with: organization and memory.
Products to consider
Information/data managers

This type of tool helps a person plan, organize, store, and retrieve his calendar, task list, contact data, and other information in electronic form. Personal data managers may be portable, hand-held devices, computer software, or a combination of those tools working together to share data.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool may benefit people who struggle with organization and memory.
Products to consider
Paper-based computer pen

This technology records and links audio to what a person writes using the pen and special paper. It enables the user to take notes while simultaneously recording someone( e.g., a teacher) speaking. The user can later listen to any section of his notes by touching the pen to his corresponding handwriting or diagrams.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool may benefit people who struggle with: writing, listening, memory and reading.
Products to consider Resources to help you evaluate assistive technology for your child
The assistive technology products listed on our site have been compiled in consultation with Marshall Raskind, Ph.D. This does not represent a comprehensive list. The inclusion of any product is not intended as an endorsement. The information is provided to guide parents and educators in selecting products to meet children's specific needs.

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Assistive technology tools: Organization and memory | Parenting

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Assistive technology (AT) tools can help a person plan, organize, and keep track of his calendar, schedule, task list, contact information, and miscellaneous notes. These tools allow him to manage, store, and retrieve such information with the help of special software and hand-held devices.

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Assistive technology tools: Writing | Parenting

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Assistive technology tools: Writing | Parenting

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There is a wide range of assistive technology (AT) tools available to help students who struggle with writing. Some of these tools help students circumvent the actual physical task of writing, while others facilitate proper spelling, punctuation, grammar, word usage, and organization.

AT tools that assist with writing fall into several categories:

Abbreviation expanders

Used with word processing, these software programs allow a user to create, store, and re-use abbreviations for frequently-used words or phrases. This can save the user keystrokes and ensure proper spelling of words and phrases he has coded as abbreviations.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing.
Products to consider
Alternative keyboards

These programmable keyboards have special overlays that customize the appearance and function of a standard keyboard. Students who have LD or have trouble typing may benefit from customization that reduces input choices, groups keys by color/location, and adds graphics to aid comprehension.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing.
Product to consider
Graphic organizers and outlining

Graphic organizers and outlining programs help users who have trouble organizing and outlining information as they begin a writing project. This type of program lets a user "dump" information in an unstructured manner and later helps him organize the information into appropriate categories and order.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing.

Paper-based computer pen

This technology records and links audio to what a person writes using the pen and special paper. It enables the user to take notes while simultaneously recording someone( e.g., a teacher) speaking. The user can later listen to any section of his notes by touching the pen to his corresponding handwriting or diagrams.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool may benefit people who struggle with: writing, listening, memory and reading.
Product to consider
Portable word processors

A portable word processor is lightweight device that is easy to transport (e.g., from classroom to home). It can be helpful to kids who may have trouble writing by hand and prefer to use a keyboard. Word processing allows the user to edit and correct his written work more efficiently than doing so by hand.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing.
Products to consider
Proofreading software

Students who struggle with writing (e.g., spelling, grammar, punctuation, word usage, and sentence structure) may benefit from software programs (included in many word processing systems) that scan word processing documents and alert the user to possible errors.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing/spelling.
Products to consider
Most word processing software programs include proofreading programs. They may be identified as spell-checkers or grammar-checkers within a word processing program.

Ginger is a newcomer to the scene. It analyzes misspelled words within the context of an entire sentence and suggests words based on the intended meaning of the sentence. This is different than most spell checkers that simply suggest words that resemble the misspelled words. Ginger corrects whole sentences, including multiple spelling and grammar errors all in one click, providing a potentially faster and more efficient way to work.

Ginger's technology was developed specifically to correct the kinds of spelling mistakes commonly made by people with dyslexia. Although other products have focused on dyslexia, Ginger's online grammar checker is the first to operate as an online service that continuously adds "dyslexic misspellings" to its database. The more the technology is used by people with dyslexia, the more accurate it should become.

Speech recognition software

A speech recognition program works in conjunction with a word processor. The user dictates into a microphone, and his spoken words appear on the computer screen as text. This can help a user whose oral language ability is better than his writing skills.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing.
Products to consider
Speech synthesizers/screen readers

These systems can display and read aloud text on a computer screen, including text that has been typed by the user, scanned in from printed pages (e.g., books, letters), or text appearing on the Internet.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool may benefit people who struggle with: reading and writing.
Products to consider
Talking spell checkers/electronic dictionaries

Talking spell checkers and electronic dictionaries can help a poor speller select or identify appropriate words and correct spelling errors during the process of writing and proofreading. Talking devices "read aloud" and display the selected words onscreen, so the user can see and hear the words.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing/spelling.
Products to consider
Word-prediction software

Word prediction software can help a user during word processing by "predicting" a word the user intends to type. Predictions are based on spelling, syntax, and frequent/recent use. This prompts kids who struggle with writing to use proper spelling, grammar, and word choices, with fewer keystrokes.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing.
Products to consider
The assistive technology products listed on our site have been compiled in consultation with Marshall Raskind, Ph.D. This does not represent a comprehensive list. The inclusion of any product is not intended as an endorsement. The information is provided to guide parents and educators in selecting products to meet children's specific needs.
Updated February 2010

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Assistive technology tools: Writing | Parenting

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There is a wide range of assistive technology (AT) tools available to help students who struggle with writing. Some of these tools help students circumvent the actual physical task of writing, while others facilitate proper spelling, punctuation, grammar, word usage, and organization.

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Assistive technology tools: reading | Parenting

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Assistive technology tools: reading | Parenting

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There is a wide range of assistive technology (AT) tools available to help individuals who struggle with reading. While each type of tool works a little differently, all of these tools help by presenting text as speech. These tools help facilitate decoding, reading fluency, and comprehension.

AT tools that assist with reading fall into several categories:

Audio books and publications

Recorded books allow users to listen to text and are available in a variety of formats, such as audiocassettes, CDs, and MP3 downloads. Special playback units allow users to and search and bookmark pages and chapters. Subscription services offer extensive electronic library collections.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool may help people who struggle with: reading.
Products and services to consider

Audible.com

Kurzweil 3000™ Literacy and Reading Programs

Learning Ally

Every state library acts as a distribution point for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which has a large collection of books in audio format. Visit http://www.loc.gov/nls/to search the catalog. Certification of disability is required.

A growing number of local and university libraries are providing downloadable audio books through a service called NetLibrary. You have to have a compatible PC or MP3 player (Windows Media Player ready) in order to listen to them. Ask your library if they offer this service.

OverDrive is a full-service distributor of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and video.

Optical character recognition

This technology allows a user to scan printed material into a computer or handheld unit. The scanned text is then read aloud via a speech synthesis/screen reading system. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is available as stand-alone units, computer software, and as portable, pocket-sized devices.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
OCR may benefit people who struggle with: reading.
Products to consider
Paper-based computer pen

This technology records and links audio to what a person writes using the pen and special paper. It enables the user to take notes while simultaneously recording someone( e.g., a teacher) speaking. The user can later listen to any section of his notes by touching the pen to his corresponding handwriting or diagrams.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool may benefit people who struggle with: writing, listening, memory and reading.
Products to consider
Speech synthesizers/screen readers

These systems can display and read aloud text on a computer screen, including text that has been typed by the user, scanned in from printed pages (e.g., books, letters), or text appearing on the Internet.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool may benefit people who struggle with: reading and writing.
Products to consider
Variable-speed tape recorders

Tape recorders/players allow a user to listen to pre-recorded text or to capture spoken information (e.g., a classroom lecture) and play it back later. Variable speed control (VSC) tape recorders speed up or slow down the playback rate without distorting the "speaker's" voice.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This tool may help people who struggle with: reading and listening.
Products to consider Resources to help you evaluate assistive technology for your child
The assistive technology products listed on our site have been compiled in consultation with Marshall Raskind, Ph.D. This does not represent a comprehensive list. The inclusion of any product is not intended as an endorsement. The information is provided to guide parents and educators in selecting products to meet children's specific needs.
Updated February 2010

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Assistive technology tools: reading | Parenting

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There is a wide range of assistive technology (AT) tools available to help individuals who struggle with reading. While each type of tool works a little differently, all of these tools help by presenting text as speech. These tools help facilitate decoding, reading fluency, and comprehension.

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Digital Literacy for Students with Multiple Disabilities | Paths to Technology | Perkins eLearning

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Digital Literacy for Students with Multiple Disabilities | Paths to Technology | Perkins eLearning

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Digital Literacy is defined as the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills. What is digital literacy for students who have multiple disabilities? Can students who are unable to read and write using traditional methods have digital literacy? The answer is a resounding YES! Technology can break down barriers in the classroom and out in the world.

As teachers of the visually impaired (TVIs) we are well aware of screen readers, magnification options and other accessibility features that are available now on tablets, computers and smart phones that enable an academic visually impaired or blind student to access and complete assignments. We are also aware of and incorporate basic cause and effect apps and other basic apps geared for very young students, CVI students, and students who are currently using technology at a very basic level. However, what about the student who falls somewhere between these two groups? The student who, after initial instruction and guidance, is able to complete simple tasks independently? The student who may not be able to read or write but cognitively is ready to move forward?

Screen readers are powerful tools for students with strong cognitive abilities. However, screen readers change the gesture set, requiring students (and teachers/families) to learn new gestures. These gestures can be complicated for many students with multiple disabilities. Another option for some tasks is to use the device's built-in Intelligent Assistant, such as Siri (iOS), Google Now or Cortana. With the advancement of artificial intelligence, many tasks can be accomplished with students simply telling the digital assistant what to do! Many of our students with multiple disabilities have some functional vision. The strategies listed below are geared for students with multiple disabilities who have some functional vision; however, many of these same strategies will also work with students who are blind.

First Steps

Simplify the Home screen
Limit the Home screen to a few of the most frequent apps that your student uses

Accessibility of Home screen

Enlarge the app icons (Android only)

Create non-cluttered, high contrast Home screen background (wallpaper)

Learn more about settings for various devices with AbilityNet's set-by-step directions.

The video below describes how to enlarge the icons and create a black background for Android devices. Note: The video was made with senior citizens with visual impairments in mind; however, the same principals apply to students with low vision.

Intelligent/Digital Assistant

Learn about Intelligent Assistants: what they can do and how to word your command. Teacher Hint: "Intelligent Assistant" is a mouthful; encourage students to use the proper name, such as "Siri" or possibly, "digital assistant". Learn about the most popular digital assistant commands:
Google Now Commands Cortana Commands Siri Commands
Want to see these digital assistants in action? Do an Internet YouTube search for your digital assistant! Example: Search for, "Siri, Youtube".

Tasks

Initially choose one or two classroom tasks and find a corresponding app geared for a child. The first few tasks will depend on your student's interest and abilities. The task might be part of the daily circle time activity that includes calendar activities and weather. The student may simply ask their "digital assistant", "What is the weather today?" The student can ask different questions, such as, "Will it rain today?" and "What is the temperature?" Students can also ask calendar questions - simple questions such as, "What day of the week is it?" to more complex questions like, "What day of the week is Christmas?" The student may then use a digital assistant to record the weather on the calendar app. This activity leads to setting an appointment and checking an appointment on the calendar app.
How to Create a Calendar Event with Siri
The video below shows how to use Siri to set a calendar appointment.

Students can also use Siri to create "To do Lists" using the native Reminders app. This is a great way to list homework assignments or other list type-tasks.

Students can learn to send a text message to his/her teacher, peer or family member.

Teacher Hint: During a classroom discussion, have the students text answers to you! If you want the students to hear each texted answer, turn on your screen reader, so that each text is read aloud as you receive it. This provides students with opportunities to listen for their answer and peer answers; it may also encourage students to text their answer quickly! Or, you can also model using the digital assistant, by asking the digital assistant to read aloud the student's text.

Steps to send an text message with Siri:

Have the student learn to ask the digital assistant to read an assignment aloud. Using a digital assistant is a great foundation skill for dictation to "write" a longer story or to answer questions on a digital assignment. Use the digital assistant to email the document back to his/her teacher.

Raise Expectations

When students are not able to write in the traditional manner (with paper/pencil or keyboarding skills with a device), it is time to be creative! The goal for older students especially is to be able to share ideas and to learn the content. The physical ability to read and write are a means to accomplish those goals.

Cody is visually impaired, traumatic brain injury high school student who is not able to read or write in a traditional way; however, he can dictate stories and can answer multiple choice questions using modified techniques. Check out two of Cody's post on Paths to Technology: Learning Life Skills Through Technology and how he is able to answer questions using iBooks, in Cody's O&M Adventures post.

The video below shows apps that are age appropriate. Note this video was created about technology apps used by a senior citizen who is visually impaired: however the same principals apply to students with disabilities.

Checkers

Indigo (virtual assistant that reads aloud news headlines around the world)

Youtube - watch and listen to videos on various

Skype (video calls)

Google Voice (set a timer, calculator, read messages, answer general knowledge questions)

What'sUp (messaging app)

Think outside the box on ways to use features on tech to enable every student to complete academic tasks and functional daily living skills as independently as possible. Please share how you incorporate tech into daily activities and any strategies on how you modify the activities!

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Digital Literacy for Students with Multiple Disabilities

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Digital Literacy is defined as the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills. What is digital literacy for students who have multiple disabilities? Can students who are unable to read and write using traditional methods have digital literacy?

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Using technology to support literacy for students who are blind or visually impaired with additional disabilities, including deafblindness | Paths to Literacy

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Using technology to support literacy for students who are blind or visually impaired with additional disabilities, including deafblindness | Paths to Literacy

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Technology continues to offer new access to information for everyone, and the options change so quickly that it can be overwhelming to try to keep up with what is available. As with any tool, the first question must be how it will support existing goals for an individual student, rather than letting it become an end in itself. In other words, the use of a switch to activate a computer may reinforce the concept of cause and effect and, as such, it can be a tool to help a student to develop important cognitive skills. The information on this page offers a basic introduction to some types of technology that may be valuable to help students with multiple disabilities to have increased access to literacy skills. We invite you to share your ideas and resources with others!

See also:

Focus On Technology for Students with Multiple and Visual Impairments
By Holly Cooper, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Meaningful Technology Goals for MIVI Kids...
By Sharon Nichols, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Spotlight on Assistive Technology
By Jon Harding
Deaf-Blind Perspectives, Vol. 11, Issue 1 (Fall 2003)

Using Assistive Technology For a Student with Multiple Disabilities
Holly Cooper

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Technology for Students with Multiple Disabilities

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Technology continues to offer new access to information for everyone, and the options change so quickly that it can be overwhelming to try to keep up with what is available. As with any tool, the first question must be how it will support existing goals for an individual student, rather than letting it become an end in itself.

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After Announcify conquered Android™ phones, it's now here to announcify your life at Google Chrome™.

Announcify reads out loud every website you want. For example, if you're too tired but still need to study one more Wikipedia entry, Announcify can help your tired eyes relax.


What others say about this extension:
"This is a handy extension that will let you rest your tired eyes and at the same time, let you learn new stuff. This extension is similar to Chrome Speak that we previously covered, but is much easier to use, as it automatically reads out the entire page without requiring you to select text, so sit back and relax and listen to all those lengthy articles with Announcify." - AddictiveTips, http://goo.gl/LwSuG

"Announcify is free and really handy for those times when your eyes are too tired but you're still eager to read." - Lifehacker, http://goo.gl/5xRPE


This extension was built during the GTUG Vienna Chrome Hackathon on 29.10.2011 together with Dominic Bartl and Kariem Hussein. It's made possible by technology provided by Diffbot (http://www.diffbot.com/) - thank you!

This extension is open source. More information at http://announcify.com/

Google Chrome™ browser is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions.

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After Announcify conquered Android™ phones, it's now here to announcify your life at Google Chrome™. Announcify reads out loud every website you want. For example, if you're too tired but still need to study one more Wikipedia entry, Announcify can help your tired eyes relax.

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Read&Write for Google Chrome™ - Chrome Web Store

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Read&Write for Google Chrome™ - Chrome Web Store

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Boost reading and writing confidence across all types of content and devices, in class, at work, and at home.

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11 Must-Have Apps and Tools for Dyslexic Students - The Tech Edvocate

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11 Must-Have Apps and Tools for Dyslexic Students - The Tech Edvocate

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11 Must-Have Apps and Tools for Dyslexic Students

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Dyslexic students can benefit greatly from using technology. There are apps and tools available that can help dyslexic students read, write, and more. Using these 11 apps and tools with dyslexic students will ensure they can keep up in your 21st century classroom. Learning Ally Learning Ally is a great resource for audiobooks.

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6 Ways That Edtech Can Help Students with Autism - The Tech Edvocate

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6 Ways That Edtech Can Help Students with Autism - The Tech Edvocate

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6 Ways That Edtech Can Help Students with Autism

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Some people would be astounded that statistics indicate one out of every 68 students is on the autism spectrum. Therefore, traditional ways of educating these students might not be beneficial. Technology may very well be the only answer to helping students with autism, and there are many reasons and benefits as to why this situation should exist in every school district.

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9 Must-Have Language Development Apps and Tools - The Tech Edvocate

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9 Must-Have Language Development Apps and Tools - The Tech Edvocate

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9 Must-Have Language Development Apps and Tools

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Whether you have a student or child whose language skills are developing well or slowly, studies have proven that apps support language development. Speech pathologists promote the use of apps for language development and are even creating their own. We have compiled this list of must-have language development apps which includes apps for children of various ages and developmental levels.

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Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities - The Tech Edvocate

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Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities - The Tech Edvocate

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Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities

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Spread the loveTraditionally, students with disabilities have been expected to stand out-and not necessarily in a way that is conducive to their education. These days, however, thanks in large part to technology, students with disabilities can enjoy a customized, comfortable, and cool learning experience. An estimated 6.5 million children in the U.S.

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The Tech Edvocate’s List of 13 Assistive Technology Apps, Tools and Resources - The Tech Edvocate

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The Tech Edvocate’s List of 13 Assistive Technology Apps, Tools and Resources - The Tech Edvocate

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The Tech Edvocate's List of 13 Assistive Technology Apps, Tools and Resources

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The way that K-12 learners are taught is in rapid flux, particularly when it comes to students in special education programs. According to a report by the Fordham Insititute, special education participation by K-12 students represented 13.1 percent of the nation's student population in 2010.

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Edtech in the Classroom: Improving Learning Opportunities for Students with Special Needs - The Tech Edvocate

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Edtech in the Classroom: Improving Learning Opportunities for Students with Special Needs - The Tech Edvocate

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Edtech in the Classroom: Improving Learning Opportunities for Students with Special Needs

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The number of students with special needs is on the rise across the United States, making it increasingly difficult for educators to teach effectively to their entire student body. Did you know that there are approximately 7 million students in the United States with disabilities?

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5 Assistive Technology Apps for Students With Special Needs - The Tech Edvocate

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5 Assistive Technology Apps for Students With Special Needs - The Tech Edvocate

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5 Assistive Technology Apps for Students With Special Needs

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The Tech Edvocate is pleased to produce its "Best of the Best" resource lists. These lists provide our readers with rankings for edtech-related blogs, twitter accounts, influencers, products, etc. These lists are meant to be fluid, and for that reason, they are regularly updated to provide up to the moment information.* At its core, the American educational system is about the democratization of knowledge for all students, regardless of their circumstances.

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How assistive technology is changing special education - The Tech Edvocate

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How assistive technology is changing special education - The Tech Edvocate

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How assistive technology is changing special education

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The Edvocate is pleased to publish guest posts as way to fuel important conversations surrounding P-20 education in America.

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Exceptional Children Resources at Internet 4 Classrooms

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Exceptional Children Resources at Internet 4 Classrooms

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Exceptional Children Resources at Internet 4 Classrooms

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Classroom and Parent Resources for children with exceptional needs such as autism, ADHD, ADD, vision impaired, hearing impaired, gifted, high ability, autistic

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Assistive technology tools: Writing | Parenting

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Assistive technology tools: Writing | Parenting

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There is a wide range of assistive technology (AT) tools available to help students who struggle with writing. Some of these tools help students circumvent the actual physical task of writing, while others facilitate proper spelling, punctuation, grammar, word usage, and organization.

AT tools that assist with writing fall into several categories:

Abbreviation expanders

Used with word processing, these software programs allow a user to create, store, and re-use abbreviations for frequently-used words or phrases. This can save the user keystrokes and ensure proper spelling of words and phrases he has coded as abbreviations.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing.
Products to consider
Alternative keyboards

These programmable keyboards have special overlays that customize the appearance and function of a standard keyboard. Students who have LD or have trouble typing may benefit from customization that reduces input choices, groups keys by color/location, and adds graphics to aid comprehension.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing.
Product to consider
Graphic organizers and outlining

Graphic organizers and outlining programs help users who have trouble organizing and outlining information as they begin a writing project. This type of program lets a user "dump" information in an unstructured manner and later helps him organize the information into appropriate categories and order.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing.

Paper-based computer pen

This technology records and links audio to what a person writes using the pen and special paper. It enables the user to take notes while simultaneously recording someone( e.g., a teacher) speaking. The user can later listen to any section of his notes by touching the pen to his corresponding handwriting or diagrams.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool may benefit people who struggle with: writing, listening, memory and reading.
Product to consider
Portable word processors

A portable word processor is lightweight device that is easy to transport (e.g., from classroom to home). It can be helpful to kids who may have trouble writing by hand and prefer to use a keyboard. Word processing allows the user to edit and correct his written work more efficiently than doing so by hand.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing.
Products to consider
Proofreading software

Students who struggle with writing (e.g., spelling, grammar, punctuation, word usage, and sentence structure) may benefit from software programs (included in many word processing systems) that scan word processing documents and alert the user to possible errors.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing/spelling.
Products to consider
Most word processing software programs include proofreading programs. They may be identified as spell-checkers or grammar-checkers within a word processing program.

Ginger is a newcomer to the scene. It analyzes misspelled words within the context of an entire sentence and suggests words based on the intended meaning of the sentence. This is different than most spell checkers that simply suggest words that resemble the misspelled words. Ginger corrects whole sentences, including multiple spelling and grammar errors all in one click, providing a potentially faster and more efficient way to work.

Ginger's technology was developed specifically to correct the kinds of spelling mistakes commonly made by people with dyslexia. Although other products have focused on dyslexia, Ginger's online grammar checker is the first to operate as an online service that continuously adds "dyslexic misspellings" to its database. The more the technology is used by people with dyslexia, the more accurate it should become.

Speech recognition software

A speech recognition program works in conjunction with a word processor. The user dictates into a microphone, and his spoken words appear on the computer screen as text. This can help a user whose oral language ability is better than his writing skills.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing.
Products to consider
Speech synthesizers/screen readers

These systems can display and read aloud text on a computer screen, including text that has been typed by the user, scanned in from printed pages (e.g., books, letters), or text appearing on the Internet.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool may benefit people who struggle with: reading and writing.
Products to consider
Talking spell checkers/electronic dictionaries

Talking spell checkers and electronic dictionaries can help a poor speller select or identify appropriate words and correct spelling errors during the process of writing and proofreading. Talking devices "read aloud" and display the selected words onscreen, so the user can see and hear the words.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing/spelling.
Products to consider
Word-prediction software

Word prediction software can help a user during word processing by "predicting" a word the user intends to type. Predictions are based on spelling, syntax, and frequent/recent use. This prompts kids who struggle with writing to use proper spelling, grammar, and word choices, with fewer keystrokes.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool benefits people who struggle with: writing.
Products to consider
The assistive technology products listed on our site have been compiled in consultation with Marshall Raskind, Ph.D. This does not represent a comprehensive list. The inclusion of any product is not intended as an endorsement. The information is provided to guide parents and educators in selecting products to meet children's specific needs.
Updated February 2010

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Assistive technology tools: Writing | Parenting

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There is a wide range of assistive technology (AT) tools available to help students who struggle with writing. Some of these tools help students circumvent the actual physical task of writing, while others facilitate proper spelling, punctuation, grammar, word usage, and organization.

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Assistive technology tools: Listening | Parenting

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Assistive technology tools: Listening | Parenting

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Certain assistive technology (AT) tools can help people who have difficulty processing and remembering spoken language. Such devices can be used in various settings (e.g., a class lecture, or a meeting with multiple speakers).

AT tools that assist with listening fall into several categories:

Paper-based computer pen

This technology records and links audio to what a person writes using the pen and special paper. It enables the user to take notes while simultaneously recording someone( e.g., a teacher) speaking. The user can later listen to any section of his notes by touching the pen to his corresponding handwriting or diagrams.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool may benefit people who struggle with: writing, listening, memory and reading.
Products to consider
Personal FM listening systems

A personal FM listening system transmits a speaker's voice directly to the user's ear. This may help the listener focus on what the speaker is saying. The unit consists of a wireless transmitter (with microphone) worn by the speaker and a receiver (with earphone) worn by the listener.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool may benefit people who struggle with: listening or attention.
Products to consider
Variable-speed recorders

Recorders/players allow a user to listen to pre-recorded text or to capture spoken information (e.g., a classroom lecture) and play it back later. Variable-speed control (VSC) recorders speed up or slow down the playback rate without distorting the "speaker's" voice.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This tool may help people who struggle with: reading and listening.
Products to consider Resources to help you evaluate assistive technology for your child
The assistive technology products listed on our site have been compiled in consultation with Marshall Raskind, Ph.D. This does not represent a comprehensive list. The inclusion of any product is not intended as an endorsement. The information is provided to guide parents and educators in selecting products to meet children's specific needs.
Updated February 2010

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Assistive technology tools: Listening | Parenting

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Certain assistive technology (AT) tools can help people who have difficulty processing and remembering spoken language. Such devices can be used in various settings (e.g., a class lecture, or a meeting with multiple speakers). AT tools that assist with listening fall into several categories: This technology records and links audio to what a person writes using the pen and special paper.

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Apps as Assistive Technology (AT) – Maine CITE

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Apps as Assistive Technology (AT) – Maine CITE

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To aid consumers and professionals who may be interested in knowing more about various mobile devices (including smart watches) and the assorted "apps" than can be used as assistive technology, we have assembled this resource.
Last updated: February 24, 2017
The links are added in reversed chronological order with the newest items designated with an asterisk *.

If you find something that is outdated, or something that we should add to the list, please contact John Brandt at jbrandt@mainecite.org

"Buyer Beware"

When purchasing any product, consumers need to do their homework and examine the quality of each purchase/download carefully. The resources here are for informational purposes and are not an endorsement of any product or device (please see our disclaimer below). Most of the "app stores" have a place where users can rate and comment about the various apps. We recommend that you read these reviews carefully. While many of the apps listed in this resource are free to download, some cost a considerable amount of money and many are sold with a no refund policy (see Getting Refunds for your iTunes Store Purchases; Apple's iTunes Store Terms and Conditions; Google Android Market return policy)

The Resources - Lists of Apps

Reviews and Articles about Apps

Disclaimer

The Maine CITE Program offers this website to help people find and get the AT they need and want. This is part of the public service mission of the University of Maine System. Maine CITE does not endorse any of the devices or applications listed on this site. It is the sole responsibility of the users of this site to check out the devices and applications listed. Maine CITE is not responsible for users' actions or inactions, is not involved in the transactions between users and vendors, and has no control over and does not guarantee the suitability, fitness, condition, quality, safety or legality of devices or applications listed, or the accuracy of any information posted.

BY USING THIS SERVICE, YOU ACCEPT THE ABOVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND AGREE TO RELEASE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMESS THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM AND ITS MAINE CITE PROGRAM FROM ANY CLAIMS, LOSSES, JUDGEMENTS, COSTS, FINES, PENALTIES OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE OR INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE.

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To aid consumers and professionals who may be interested in knowing more about various mobile devices (including smart watches) and the assorted "apps" than can be used as assistive technology, we have assembled this resource. Last updated: February 24, 2017 The links are added in reversed chronological order with the newest items designated with an asterisk *.

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Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities - The Tech Edvocate

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Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities - The Tech Edvocate

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Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities

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Spread the loveTraditionally, students with disabilities have been expected to stand out-and not necessarily in a way that is conducive to their education. These days, however, thanks in large part to technology, students with disabilities can enjoy a customized, comfortable, and cool learning experience. An estimated 6.5 million children in the U.S.

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There are lots of assistive technology (AT) tools that can help people who have trouble reading, like people with dyslexia. Learn what tools are available.

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5 Assistive Technology Tools That Are Making a Difference

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5 Assistive Technology Tools That Are Making a Difference

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According to the National Education Association (NEA), the number of U.S. students enrolled in special education programs has risen 30 percent over the past 10 years. Additionally, the NEA reports that nearly every general education classroom in the country includes students with disabilities, as three out of every four students with disabilities spends part or all of their school day in a general education classroom.

But as the number of students in special education programs has increased, the supply of special education instructors has not kept pace. Based on the Department of Education's Teacher Shortage Area Nationwide Listing, 47 states in the 2014-15 school year were in need of special education instructors.

One tool to help students with disabilities even in the face of a special education teacher shortage is assistive technology. Today, assistive technology can help students with certain disabilities learn more effectively. Ranging in sophistication from "low" technologies such as a graphic organizer worksheet to "high" technologies including cutting-edge software and smartphone apps, assistive technology is a growing and dynamic field. Several areas of assistive technology and sample products may be found in any given classroom, making a difference in how students of all abilities learn.

Text to Speech

As an assistive technology, text-to-speech (TTS) software is designed to help children who have difficulties reading standard print. Common print disabilities can include blindness, dyslexia or any type of visual impairment, learning disability or other physical condition that impedes the ability to read. However, other students can benefit from TTS technology, such as children that have autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or an intellectual disability.

The technology works by scanning and then reading the words to the student in a synthesized voice, using a large number of speech sounds that make up words in any given context. With the advances in speech synthesis, TTS technology is more accurate and lifelike than ever.

At about the size and weight of a paperback book, the Intel Reader is mobile enough to use in any environment. Students can also transfer content from a home computer, or save generated audio versions of printed materials to a computer. Available voices vary in gender, pitch and speed.

* Multiple TTS voices

* Support for 18 languages and dialects

* Talking spell-checker

* Picture dictionary graphics for more than 40,000 words

* Text magnification

* Tools for test taking, essay writing, note taking, reference and more

The Kurzweil 3000 strives to provide students with a multi-sensory approach to literacy learning. It is available for Windows and Macintosh.

Graphic Organizers

Graphic organizers can be effective in helping students organize their thoughts during the writing process. As an assistive technology, graphic organizers can be a strong choice for students with dysgraphia or disorders of written expressions - particularly the conceptual aspects of writing.

Graphic organizers work by helping the student map out a course of action. Depending on the type of writing, the graphic organizer can prompt the writer to describe an object, chart out a course of events or perform some other task that can help in planning the piece. Graphic organizers vary by type and technological sophistication.

Low-Tech Handouts
Graphic organizers do not need to be technologically advanced; in fact, they can exist in simple handout form.

Sample handouts can be found at the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company. The sandwich chart can assist students with paragraph writing. The sequence chart can help with narrative writing and the ordering of events. The sense chart is designed for descriptive writing, where writers are prompted for terms that characterize and express an item. Dozens of other sample charts exist and can help students with virtually any type of writing.

Other features include a talking spell checker that uses TTS technology, a bibliography tool, a dictionary and the ability for teachers to add locked text into the program for further guidance. Draft:Builder is available for Windows and Macintosh.

Assistive Listening Systems

A variety of assistive listening systems, or hearing assistive technology, can help students who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those with other auditory and learning problems. According to the National Association for the Deaf, assistive listening systems can be used to enhance the reach and effectiveness of hearing aids and cochlear implants, or by children who do not need those tools but still need help hearing. Assistive listening systems use a microphone, a type of transmission technology and a device for capturing and bringing the sound to the ear. The specific transmission technology used in the system is typically what contrasts one type of assistive listening system from another.

FM systems work using radio broadcast technology. With a transmitter microphone and a receiver, the teacher and student can maintain a consistent sound level regardless of distance and background noise. Additionally, ASHA notes that the hearing aid microphone can be turned off, so the student can concentrate on the teacher alone.

Sound-Field Systems
Sound-field systems are a strong choice for classrooms that need to assist listening for all children in the class. ASHA notes that these systems benefit not only children that have hearing loss, but those that have other auditory and learning problems, such as language delays, central auditory processing disorder, articulation disorders and development delays. Additionally, sound-field systems can be used for students who are learning English as a second language.

Sound-field systems use a microphone that projects sound through mounted speakers around the classroom. In classrooms that have good acoustics, sound is able to travel evenly throughout space, eliminating problems of distance between the speaker and each listener.

Sip-and-Puff Systems

Sip-and-puff systems are used by students who have mobility challenges, such as paralysis and fine motor skill disabilities. These systems allow for control of a computer, mobile device or some other technological application by the child moving the device with his or her mouth. Similar to a joystick, the child can move the controller in any direction and click on various navigational tools using either a sip or a puff. An on-screen keyboard allows the child to type using the same movements.

Sip-and-puff systems are a type of switch device, which refers to the technology used to replace a computer keyboard or mouse. Other switch devices include buttons or other objects that a student can touch, push, pull, kick or perform some other simple action that can then control the device.

The product supports Windows, Macintosh, Linux and Unix based computers, in addition to Android and iOS mobile devices. It can support one or two external switches, and has two types of mouthpieces.

The product supports Windows, Macintosh and Linux based computers. Two pressure switches connect the system to the user interface solution for use on electronic devices.

Proofreading Software

Proofreading software is a branch of assistive technology that goes above and beyond the typical proofreading features found in a word processing system, such as correcting words frequently misspelled by students with dyslexia. A number of other features offered within this category can help students work on his or her English skill set to become a more effective and accurate writer.

Although primarily geared towards individuals with dyslexia, proofreading software can be helpful to those with any type of learning disorder that makes writing and reading challenging.

* Grammar checker that analyzes context to determine any errors or misspellings. For instance, Ginger can recognize whether "there," "their" or "they're" should be used in a sentence, which is a common mistake in writing.

* Word prediction and sentence rephrasing tools that can be helpful for students learning how to construct sentences properly.

* TTS functionality so students can hear what they've written.

* A personal trainer that provides practice sessions based on past mistakes made by the student.

Ginger is available for Windows and Macintosh systems, as well as for use on iOS and Android mobile devices.

It features the ability to learn from the user's past mistakes, personalizing suggestions for spelling and grammatical errors. Ghotit can predict words, check passages of text contextually, read text aloud using TTS technology and recognize split and merged words. It also includes an integrated dictionary for students to quickly look up a word.

Math Tools

A range of technology and tools can help students that have trouble with math, most commonly found in a learning disability called dyscalculia. Dyscalculia makes it difficult to grasp numbers and it is characterized by a general lack of understanding in the field of math.

Assistive technology in math is not just for those with dyscalculia. It can also help students with blindness, fine motor skill disabilities or some other type of disability that makes it difficult to perform math-related work.

In addition to these audiences, MathTalk also appeals to students with dyscalculia. The program functions as an electronic math worksheet, allowing the child to organize, align and work through problems on the screen, making it helpful for students who have difficulties performing math problems on paper.

Math Simulations
Math simulations can help students with dyscalculia visualize math problems and concepts. As a result, students can better understand the application of a particular type of problem, since many students struggle with the conceptual aspects of math.

Examples can be found at the NASA website. From video to animated simulations, teachers and students can visually see how a math concept or problem would work. And with some math simulations, students can work through the problem and then see the result play out in the simulation.

The Takeaway for Students, Parents and Teachers

Thanks to the rapid advances in assistive technology, students, parents and teachers have a seemingly limitless number of tools at their disposal.

As these tools start to appear in the home and in the classroom, parents and teachers can utilize them for students' academic and personal growth. But technology alone is not enough - to successfully use these tools, it's critical to develop a plan for their use and have regular check-ins to ensure the student is gaining the most value possible and not becoming overly reliant on these tools.

But while assistive tools have become plentiful, the same cannot be said for special education instructors. As previously mentioned, the vast majority of states in the 2014-15 school year reported a need for teachers in special education. And many general education classrooms instruct children with special needs.

Certification is a faster way for current teachers to qualify to teach this growing population. At Alvernia University Online, teachers can pursue a special education certification for grades PreK-8 or 7-12 to help make a difference for children with special needs. They will also improve their marketability in the process, gaining additional opportunities for their career.

Overall, more teachers are needed in this area. Although the advancement of technology in special education is promising, the same increase is needed for the number of special education instructors. Certification offers one solution to quickly meet this need. Learn more about Alvernia's program today.

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5 Assistive Technology Tools That Are Making a Difference

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According to the National Education Association (NEA), the number of U.S. students enrolled in special education programs has risen 30 percent over the past 10 years. Additionally, the NEA reports that nearly every general education classroom in the country includes students with disabilities, as three out of every four students with disabilities spends part or all of their school day in a general education classroom.

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Assistive technology for kids with LD: An overview | Parenting

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Assistive technology for kids with LD: An overview | Parenting

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Assistive technology (AT) is available to help individuals with many types of disabilities - from cognitive problems to physical impairment. This article will focus specifically on AT for individuals with learning disabilities (LD).

The use of technology to enhance learning is an effective approach for many children. Additionally, students with LD often experience greater success when they are allowed to use their abilities (strengths) to work around their disabilities (challenges). AT tools combine the best of both of these practices.

This article will introduce parents to the role of AT in helping their children with LD. The better informed you are about AT, the greater the chances your child will experience success in school, in recreation and, eventually, at work. You will also want to learn how to choose AT tools that are reliable and to select technology that is tailored to your child's individual needs, abilities, and experience.

What is assistive technology for LD?

AT for kids with LD is defined as any device, piece of equipment or system that helps bypass, work around or compensate for an individual's specific learning deficits. Over the past decade, a number of studies have demonstrated the efficacy of AT for individuals with LD. ¹ AT doesn't cure or eliminate learning difficulties, but it can help your child reach her potential because it allows her to capitalize on her strengths and bypass areas of difficulty. For example, a student who struggles with reading but who has good listening skills might benefit from listening to audio books.

In general, AT compensates for a student's skills deficits or area(s) of disability. However, utilizing AT does not mean that a child can't also receive remedial instruction aimed at alleviating deficits (such as software designed to improve poor phonic skills). A student could use remedial reading software as well as listen to audio books. In fact, research has shown that AT can improve certain skill deficits (e.g., reading and spelling). 2,3

AT can increase a child's self-reliance and sense of independence. Kids who struggle in school are often overly dependent on parents, siblings, friends and teachers for help with assignments. By using AT, kids can experience success with working independently.

What types of learning problems does assistive technology address?

AT can address many types of learning difficulties. A student who has difficulty writing can compose a school report by dictating it and having it converted to text by special software. A child who struggles with math can use a hand-held calculator to keep score while playing a game with a friend. And a teenager with dyslexia may benefit from AT that will read aloud his employer's online training manual. There are AT tools to help students who struggle with:

What kinds of assistive technology tools are available?

The term "assistive technology" has usually been applied to computer hardware and software and electronic devices. However, many AT tools are now available on the Internet. AT tools that support kids with LD include:

Your child's profile

Here are several factors to consider when evaluating AT products for your child:

What are her specific needs and challenges? In what academic skill areas does she struggle?

What are her strengths? AT should utilize your child's abilities to help compensate for her disability.

What is her interest, skill and experience in using technology? In what settings and situations will she use the AT tool? AT can help a child with LD function better at school as well as in other settings such as home, work, social gatherings and recreational events.

Other technology tools for learning

There are other forms of technology designed to help all students, including those with LD, improve their academic performance. These technologies differ somewhat from AT but are worth mentioning.

Instructional software is used to teach specific academic skills (like reading and writing) or subject matter content (such as history and science). It differs from AT in that it provides instruction rather than bypassing areas of difficulty.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a philosophy that encompasses learning models, methods and products to enhance the educational experience of diverse learners (whether or not they have learning disabilities). In this approach, AT is often built into educational materials and can be customized to help students with disabilities be successful with the general curriculum. © 2008 GreatSchools Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally created by Schwab Learning, formerly a program of the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation.

Find apps that fit your child's age and challenges at Understood.org, a comprehensive resource for parents of kids with learning and attention issues .

References

1. Multiple studies: Collins, 1990; Elkind, 1993; Elkind, Black & Murray, 1996; Higgins & Raskind, 1995; Higgins & Raskind, 1997; MacArthur, 1993, 1998; MacArthur, Schwartz, & Graham, 1991; McNaughton, Hughes & Clark, 1997; Priumus, 1990; Raskind & Higgins, 1995; Raskind, Higgins & Herman, 1997.

2. Higgins, E. L. & Raskind, M. H. (2000). Speaking to Read: The Effects of Continuous vs. Discrete Speech Recognition Systems on the Reading and Spelling of Children With Learning Disabilities. Journal of Special Education Technology, 15 (1), 19-30.

3. Raskind, M. H. & Higgins, E. L. (1999). Speaking to Read: The Effects of Speech Recognition Technology on the Reading and Spelling Performance of Children With Learning Disabilities. Annals of Dyslexia, 49, 251-281.

Reviewed February 2010

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Assistive technology for kids with LD: An overview | Parenting

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Assistive technology (AT) is available to help individuals with many types of disabilities - from cognitive problems to physical impairment. This article will focus specifically on AT for individuals with learning disabilities (LD). The use of technology to enhance learning is an effective approach for many children.

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Irlen® Colored Overlays - Android Apps on Google Play

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Irlen® Colored Overlays - Android Apps on Google Play

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This updated version of Irlen Colored Overlays includes bug fixes, new safety features, and enhanced functionality to ensure a user-friendly experience.

Irlen® is the originator and world leader in using color to reduce strain and fatigue when reading or working on computer or other screen devices. Irlen® Colored Overlays can increase your comfort, fluency and accuracy when reading, and allow you to read and work on your device for longer periods of time without strain or fatigue. The Irlen® Colored Overlay App brings Irlen® proprietary technology directly to your Android smartphone and tablet, where you need it most. This app allows you to select from 10 Irlen® Overlay colors, or create your own custom color, and then apply your color to the screen of your device. Your chosen color will overlay your screen no matter what other application you are using, reducing eyestrain and discomfort whenever you are using your device. Using the app is simple. Just turn it on, choose from one of our 10 preset Irlen® colors, adjust the density of the color to your liking using the slider, and apply it to your device. Or, hit the (+) button to create a customized color combo of your own, and save it in your color library. Once a color has been applied to your device, it will automatically reapply when you restart your device, so you won't have to go back into the app to turn it on every time you turn on your device. To change your color, or turn off the colored overlay, simply return to the app and either make changes, or select "OFF".

More than 15% of the population suffers from a sensory modulation disorder that makes it difficult to process visual information. Irlen® Colored Overlays reduce stress on the brain and allow it to process written information correctly, eliminating discomfort and distortions. By reducing contrast on the printed page, Irlen® Colored Overlays can improve print clarity and stability, reduce strain and fatigue, eliminate headaches, improve comprehension, make reading faster, and allow you to read longer and with comfort. Irlen® color technology is backed by over 30 years of research and is used by millions of children and adults around the world. For more information on the Irlen® Method, visit www.irlen.com.

For user instructions and troublshooting assistance, please visit our help desk at http://irlen.com/?p=1170.

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Irlen® Colored Overlays - Android Apps on Google Play

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This updated version of Irlen Colored Overlays includes bug fixes, new safety features, and enhanced functionality to ensure a user-friendly experience. Irlen® is the originator and world leader in using color to reduce strain and fatigue when reading or working on computer or other screen devices.

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Toolkit outlines steps for ensuring accessibility | eSchool News

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Toolkit outlines steps for ensuring accessibility | eSchool News

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Toolkit outlines steps for ensuring accessibility

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Accessibility is a "critical key" when it comes to leveraging technology for all students-including those with disabilities, according to a new toolkit offering accessibility reso...

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3 Ways Assistive Technology is Helping Students with Dyslexia — Emerging Education Technologies

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3 Ways Assistive Technology is Helping Students with Dyslexia — Emerging Education Technologies

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Dyslexia is Less of a Challenge Than it Once was Thanks to These Technological Advances

It's a number that tends to jumps out at you: one in every five students has dyslexia. That means there's bound to be at least one student with some sort of reading difficulty in pretty much every classroom. But teachers may not know how to help these students. That's where assistive technology (AT) can be a godsend.

In the first three years of school, children are learning to read. After this, students are reading to learn. The child with dyslexia, however, may not ever be able to read to learn, since reading is so difficult. This results in a lack of parity inside and outside of the classroom, leading to feelings of inadequacy and later unemployment for those with dyslexia. All this despite the fact that students with dyslexia are at least as bright as their more typical peers.

Until recently, students with dyslexia were, like students who are left-handed, expected to overcome their challenges and find ways to cope with typical classroom materials and challenges. They were expected to do what they mostly could not do: read.

Assistive technology (AT) has changed that bleak landscape forever with options such as voice to text programs that transcribe a student's dictation; magic smartpens that can record a teacher's voice for later reference as a student scribbles notes; and e-readers like the Kindle, with adjustable settings for brightness, fonts, margins, and spaces.

These AT tools are generally not marketed as aids for people with dyslexia. They may not even be designed as such. Students with dyslexia, however, can attest that AT tools are invaluable in the classroom and in the workplace, too.

The Livescribe Pen

Many AT tools address not only reading difficulties, but the writing difficulties that so often accompany dyslexia, sometimes in the form of dysgraphia, a form of dyslexia that affects written expression. These students may find it hard to plan and set out thoughts in text. They may have poor handwriting, poor spelling, or a problem with fine motor skills. Some can't visualize a spoken word, heard from a teacher's mouth, as text. These difficulties make writing a slow and arduous process. With poor reading and writing skills, academic success is far from assured.

For these students, the Livescribe smartpen can be a miracle product. The pen records as the student writes. The student can turn handwritten notes into typewritten text with the touch of a finger. That means that later, when the student reviews his notes, they'll be legible. If he finds a puzzling notation, he can listen to the recorded teacher's lecture and flesh things out, even hours later.

Can't write at all? The Livescribe pen can take oral notes for further study. Like any recorder, there are record, pause, and stop buttons. The pen has a built-in microphone, but also serves as a camera, taking snapshots of everything the user writes.

Livescribe allows a student to transfer notes to a computer with desktop software. There's a search function to help students navigate to specific words. A student need only place the cursor on a word and the audio playback will kick in from that point. New notes are transcribed in new colors for better organization, and notes can even be shared with friends on Facebook.

The Livescribe is fantastic for students with dyslexia because it is adaptable. A slow writer who has trouble keeping up with the teacher can tap the "record" button so nothing is missed. A student who prefers to listen more than write can jot down the most important points and concentrate more on the teacher's voice. Later, at home, the student can tap anywhere in his notes and the audio playback will play from that exact spot. If a student, on listening to the playback, discovers something missing from his notes, he can add it then and there.

There's a learning curve, but most kids are quick to learn new technology. Once mastered, the Livescribe pen allows students with dyslexia to spend more time listening and learning and less time worrying about writing and note-taking. Outside the classroom, the pen helps students fill in things they may have missed in class, and allows for a thorough review of the material. There's an extra bonus for students with an auditory processing disorder: Livescribe allows users to control the playback speed. Students can slow down the playback rate and have more time to process what they hear.

Dragon Speech Recognition

Dragon Speech Recognition Software facilitates learning for students who find it difficult to commit their thoughts to writing. Students may know the answers to homework questions but find it difficult or impossible to write them out. This may be due to fine motor skill weaknesses, word-retrieval problems, or poor handwriting. With Dragon, the student simply dictates the answers to homework questions or recites the words of an essay or paper as Dragon sets it all out in text. With Dragon, students can use voice commands to research topics online. Dragon also facilitates communication by making it possible for students to compose emails.

Dragon software may also help students improve reading and writing skills. The software shows students how the words look in real time as they are dictated. This is good practice for the eyes and brain.

Dragon takes the pressure out of research projects, homework assignments, and compositions. As if by magic, students master the written word, and can answer a homework question or write a term paper without stressing out over getting it down in text. All that is needed is to speak one's thoughts. Dragon does the rest.

Dragon does need to be primed to understand the speaker. A user profile is created and the user reads aloud for some five minutes in order to "teach" Dragon to recognize the user's voice. Since reading is difficult for the student with dyslexia, five minutes of reading may seem like an hour, but it's absolutely necessary in order to get Dragon up and running, and to ensure accuracy.

Thankfully, Dragon offers a menu of reading choices in a range of difficulties from easy to advanced. If dyslexia makes this initial reading difficult, a user can go over the reading with someone before the training period to gain familiarity with the words. Dragon will also analyze a user's written works such as email and documents, to get a handle on the user's vocabulary.

While Dragon is somewhat intuitive, the user will need to spend some time learning word commands like "indent" and "underline that." Dragon will know to capitalize the first word of a sentence, but you may have to tell Dragon to capitalize the name of your local mall. Likewise, Dragon will add punctuation to the end of your sentence but you may have to specify where to insert a comma.

With Dragon, the user also has to watch for and catch mistakes. For example, if the user dictates "office" and Dragon writes "face," the user can correct the error by highlighting the word and giving the command to "correct that." But the user will also need to "train" the word which involves reciting the word several times so the software learns to recognize the user's pronunciation. Taking the time to correct errors and train Dragon ultimately makes the program work more efficiently for the user.

Dragon may even help students learn to speak more clearly. Teachers who can't understand students because they speak too quickly or fail to enunciate, find that after training Dragon, students speak more slowly and more clearly in class. Better still, students who once found compositions and homework a chore become eager to write with Dragon.

Dragon takes some time to train and to master. Most students with dyslexia, however, find that Dragon makes writing papers a breeze. It's also great for communicating by email.

E-Reader Accommodations

E-readers such as the Kindle have also proven a boon to students with dyslexia. Some people with dyslexia find it difficult to read certain fonts. Kindle now offers a choice of fonts, including OpenDyslexia, which is a font designed for easy reading by those with dyslexia. Others may be distracted by the spaces between lines and words, seeing them as "rivers" of white space that make them lose their place in the text. Kindle users can adjust line-spacing and margins to avoid those distracting "rivers" of white space.

Newer e-readers also allow for users to adjust the size of the letters and the brightness of the screen. The latter is important for those with dyslexia who find that glare wipes out the printed word altogether. Some e-readers allow users to decide how much text is displayed on the screen at any given point. This has proven useful for students affected by "visual crowding."

Finally, the latest e-readers can be adapted to offer audio accompaniment with adjustable speed, to the printed word. Julya Johnson, whose son has severe dyslexia, has described how this technology helped her son gain access to the written word. He's not quite reading just yet, but with audio books, he's found a ramp to the world of books.

It's clear that e-readers not only help students read books for school, but can open up the world of literature to literature-thirsty students who just happen to have dyslexia. Students no longer need to miss out on the classics because of reading difficulties. With assistive technology in general, students with dyslexia can and do bridge the knowledge gap between them and their peers. They can succeed in and out of the classroom and prove they're every bit as smart as the kid sitting one seat over.

And that is something huge.

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3 Ways Assistive Technology is Helping Students with Dyslexia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's a number that tends to jumps out at you: one in every five students has dyslexia. That means there's bound to be at least one student with some sort of reading difficulty in pretty much every classroom. But teachers may not know how to help these students.