Assistive Technology Tools for Learning Disabilities, Learning Differences, and Other Needs
My Assistive Technology Toolbox
I use a wide variety of technologies in my practice -- both high-tech and low-tech -- too numerous to mention here. But I'd like to list the most significant ones that I rely on, and that I include in my trainings.
Because so many software tools perform multiple functions, it's difficult to list technologies by category such as "Technologies for Reading" and "Technologies for Writing" -- certain tools would show up in several places -- so I've chosen to list them in a more eclectic manner that's still somewhat logical.
Reading, Writing, & Learning Software Suites
Software that bundles multiple supports for reading, writing, and studying.
- Kurzweil 3000 (Mac & PC)
- Read & Write Gold (Mac & PC)
- WYNN (PC)
- ClaroRead (Mac & PC)
- SOLO Literacy Suite (Mac & PC)
- Read:OutLoud-Bookshare Edition (Mac & PC)
- Premier Literacy Productivity Suite (Mac & PC)
Simple text-to-speech, text-to-MP3 applications
- TextAloud MP3 (PC)
- GhostReader (Mac)
- NaturalReader (Mac & PC)
- VoiceOver and Speak Selected Text (included in Mac operating system)
- Speak command for Microsoft Word (PC)
- Read2Go (iOS app for Bookshare books)
- Voice Dream Reader (iOS app for Bookshare books and other text)
- GoRead (Android app for Bookshare books)
Listening to Recorded Audiobooks
- ReadHear-Learning Ally Edition (Mac & PC)
- Learning Ally Audio (iOS app for Learning Ally audiobooks)
- Kindle Fire and Immersion Reading (see e-text highlighted while listening to narrated audiobook)
Graphic Organizer and Mind Map Software
Outlining and mapping software to help organize writing, notes, instructions, checklists, concepts -- any information that benefits from a structure.
- Inspiration (Mac & PC)
- Kidspiration (Mac & PC)
- Webspiration (online)
- XMind (Mac & PC)
- MindManager (Mac & PC)
- Free Mind (Mac & PC)
Portable Word Processors
Laptop alternatives for classroom use.
Speech recognition (speech-to-text)
- Dragon NaturallySpeaking (PC)
- Dragon Dictate (Mac)
- Windows Speech Recognition (included in Windows operating system)
- (also see MathTalk, MathPad by Voice, and SpeakQ below)
Notetaking
- Microsoft OneNote - digital notebook (PC)
- Circus Ponies NoteBook - digital notebook (Mac)
- Livescribe Smartpen - pen links recorded audio to handwritten notes (Mac & PC)
- IRISPen - scanning pen captures print text, transfers to computer (Mac & PC)
- EverNote (online, Mac, PC, iOS, Android)
- Notebook Layout w/ Audio Notes (included with Microsoft Word for Mac)
- AudioNote - simple notetaker app (iOS, Android, Mac, PC)
- Notability - robust notetaker app (iOS)
Math Notation & Drawing
- MathType (Mac & PC)
- FX Equation (PC)
- FX Graph (Mac & PC)
- FX Draw (PC)
- MathPad & MathPad Plus (PC)
- MathPad by Voice (PC)
- MathTalk (PC)
- Panther Math Paper (iOS)
Math Concepts
- National Library of Virtual Manipulatives (online, Mac, & PC)
- Kidspiration-Math View (Mac & PC)
- InspireData (Mac & PC)
Resources for Alternatives to Printed Text
- Bookshare.org
- Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic-RFB&D)
Assorted Reading & Writing Aids
- Visual Thesaurus - visual word map (online, Mac & PC)
- Ginger - contextual spellchecker (online, PC)
- Ghotit - contextual spelling/grammar checker with word prediction, other supports (Mac & PC)
- Spell Catcher - spellchecker and abbreviation/expansion (Mac & PC)
- WordQ - word prediction, word lists, abbreviation/expansion (Mac & PC)
- SpeakQ - WordQ plus speech recognition (PC)
- Preview annotation toolbar - annotate PDF documents (included in Mac OS)
- PDF-XChange Viewer - annotate PDF documents (PC)
- Clicker 6 - custom onscreen keyboards, talking word processor, word prediction (Mac & PC)
- WriteOnline - word banks, talking word processor, word prediction, mind mapping (online, Mac & PC)
Assorted Web-Based Tools
- Readability - reduces webpage visual clutter for distraction-free reading (online)
- Assignment Calculator - break down large projects into manageable chunks (online)
- Research Project Calculator - break down large projects into manageable chunks (online)
Mobile Computing
- Apps for iPad, iPhone, & iPod Touch
- Apps for Android devices
- (coming soon: list of apps categorized by specific learning needs)
Other Noteworthy Tools I Use
Interactive Electronic Whiteboards and Whiteboard Capture
- SMART Boards and SMART Notebook software (Mac & PC)
- Promethean ActivBoards and ActivInspire software (Mac & PC)
- Mimio - interactive whiteboard capture device and software (Mac & PC)
Alternative Computer Access
- Keystrokes - customizable onscreen keyboard (Mac)
- SwitchXS - customizable switch access of computer (Mac)
- LayoutKitchen - programs Keystrokes and SwitchXS (Mac)
Virtualization software (allows Windows to run on Macs)
Less struggle.
More learning.