Many types of assistive technology are helpful to all people. Using text-to-speech for reading or speech-to-text for writing, following along with captions during a presentation, or enlarging tiny text on a screen: these can be beneficial to learning and communicating for everyone.
The page below outlines many free tools, but there are more! Email us at LearningCommons@kzoo.edu if you have a favorite that’s not listed here.
Important: Some of the resources we offer are specifically for students with accommodations. If you’ve had accommodations in the past, or think you might benefit from them, the first step is to complete the Request for Accommodations with the Office of Disability Services for Students. Dean Jansma is happy to help guide you through the process.
Categories
Screen Readers
NVDA Screen Reader
Free
- For Windows
- NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) is an open source screen reader
- Allows users who are blind or have low vision to access computers running windows
- Has ability to run entirely from USB drive with no installation
- Link to website: NV Access
Voiceover
Free
- For Mac and iOS
- Built-in screen reader
- Allows complete control over the computer without needing to see the screen
- Link to information: Apple Accessibility
Thunder Screen Reader
Free
- For Windows
- Allows users who are blind or have low vision to access computers running Windows
- Can be installed in several different languages
- Link to download: Thunder Screenreader
Text to Speech
Natural Reader
Free
- For Windows and Mac
- Text-to-speech reader
- Converts written text (PDF, Microsoft Word, emails, etc.) into spoken language
- Unlimited use of Free Voices
- Link to website: Natural Reader
Plus EDU available to students by request.
- All of the above, plus
- Unlimited listening with Premium Voices
- 500,000 characters/user/day listening with Plus Voices
- 1 million characters/user/month for converting to MP3 with Premium Voices
- 1 million characters/user/month for converting to MP3 with Plus Voices
- Click here to request Plus access.
iSpeech
Free
- For iOS
- Mobile app with open source text-to-speech
- Simply enter text and iSpeech will instantly read what you’ve written
Central Access Reader
Free
- For Windows and Mac
- Text-to-speech application designed specifically for people with print-related disabilities
- Reads Microsoft Word, PDFs, math and logic equations
- Flexible MP3 output
- Link to download: Central Access Reader
Adobe Reader (Read out loud feature)
Free
- For Windows and Mac
- Text-to-speech tool that reads PDFs out loud
- Link to instructions: Accessibility Features
- Link to software: Adobe Reader
Microsoft Reader
Microsoft Word Built-In Feature
- For Windows and Mac
- Text-to-speech reader embedded in Word
- Link to instructions: Microsoft website
Writing
Ideament
Free
- For Mac
- Lets you easily draw a diagram – mind map, concept map, or flow chart – and convert it to a text outline, and vice versa
- Ideal for brainstorming new ideas, illustrating concepts, making lists and outlines, planning presentations, creating organizational charts, and more
- Link to download: App Store
Ginger
Free
- For Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
- Robust spelling and grammar checker
- Will make suggestions for rephrasing sentences
- Can help ensure you are using the word and the correct spelling (e.g., there/their/they’re)
- Link to download: Ginger Software
Fleksy
Free
- For iOS and Android
- Text input system that allows you to quickly and easily type on touch screen phones and tablets
- Allows users to type text on the familiar keyboard layout, by tapping on the screen and swiping
- Powerful auto-correct feature that can detect what you meant to enter even if multiple characters are incorrect
- Link to website: Fleksy
Speech to Text
Dictation Feature
Free
- For Mac and iOS
- Mac devices have a built-in dictation feature
- Say out loud what you want to write and it will convert your words into text
- Link to instructions for Mac: Apple Support
- Link to instructions for iPhone and iPad: Mac World
Voice Note II – Speech to Text
Free
- For Google Chrome
- Say out loud what you want to write and it will convert your words into text
- Have the option to speak punctuation or use the punctuation buttons to insert them
- Link to download: Chrome Web Store
Reading
Open Dyslexic Font
Free
- Open source font created to increase readability for readers with dyslexia
- Free for commercial and personal use
- Link to website: OpenDyslexic
Bookshare
Available to students with approved accommodations.
- Web-based
- Library of digital books in accessible formats
- Membership is free with approved accommodation (contact Disability Services for Students)
- Books are available in the following formats: Daisy, BRF, MP3, Bookshare WebReader (customized reading tool for members)
- Click here to request Bookshare access.
Other
My Talk Tools Mobile Lite
Free
- For iOS
- Allows users with communication difficulties to express their needs and desires to those around them
- Communicate through a variety of images, pictures, symbols, video and audio files including human voice
- Full version available for $99
Microsoft Teams
Free
- For Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
- Accessibility features of Microsoft Teams
- Using Microsoft Teams with a screen reader
- Using Live Captions in a Teams meeting
- Changing your viewing settings to high contrast or dark mode