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Free to download software for your laptop/PC
There are some excellent free and open source assistive technology available and a list of these technologies can be found within this section, the technologies are grouped into the different tools as seen in the headings below:
- Text to speech tools
- USB / portable tools
- Screen Readers
- Visualisations tools
- Screen Magnification
- Keyboard alternatives
Text to Speech Tools
Text to speech is a powerful tool that allows learners the option of listening to text rather than reading it. Some text to speech software will simply read the text from the screen while others will allow you to convert the text to MP3 format which can then be used away from the computer
ReadTheWords.com
ReadTheWords.com is an online text-to-speech application that can take text from direct input as well as Word files, PDF files, webpages, etc. in English, French or Spanish and transforms them into speech which can then be very easily read aloud in the browser, saved as MP3, saved to MP3 device or can be embedded into a blog or website.
All you need to do is register to access 15 voices which you can preview and choose to use when converting your document, you can also adjust the speed at which the text is read.
Balabolka
Balabolka is a Text-To-Speech (TTS) program.The program allows you to read a whole text or its selected parts. The great thing is that you are allowed to format the text, change numbers in the text with words, find homographs in the text, and even set the program to read foreign words with another voice. Moreover, the program can be set to spell-check the text; the dictionaries, if there aren't any on your PC, can be downloaded from the program's site.
Robobraille
RoboBraille is an e-mail service which can convert digital text documents into either Braille or audio files. It is quick and easy to use RoboBraille. You simply send an e-mail with an attached text document to RoboBraille. Shortly after, you will receive the document back from RoboBraille in the specified format - an audio file.
My Study Bar
MyStudyBar is a tool which helps overcome problems that students commonly experience with studying, reading and writing. The tool consists of a set of portable open source and freeware applications, assembled into one convenient package. Easy to install, simple to use, handy and effective, MyStudyBar provides comprehensive learning support at the desktop, where it is needed. And if this is not already attractive enough, a further eye-catching feature of MyStudyBar is that it is completely FREE to download and free to use.
To download Mystudybar visit the Registration Page .
Portable USB tools
Access Apps
Access apps consists of over 50 Open Source and freeware Windows applications, running from a USB stick.
Portable applications are software programs that run directly from an external drive (e.g. USB stick) without needing to be installed on the host computer. This means that a learner who needs to use text-to-speech software, change screen colours, magnify the screen or use an alternative mouse/keyboard could carry their software around in their pocket for use wherever they happen to be, and are not limited by the restricted access often in place in their institution.
To download AccessApps visit the Registration Page . Registration is free and will allow you to download the whole collection (The Works), a smaller collection of key applications (Lite), or to select the most appropriate applications for you (Pick n Mix).
Using AccessApps with a screen reader
SCREEN READERS
NVDA Screen Reader
NVDA is freely available for personal use. It provides audio navigation and text to speech output from a computer running Windows XP or above.
Visualisation Tools
Visualisation tools include any software that allows simple animations or video to visualise complex information or processes.
Camstudio
Camstudio is screen capture software which will record (in AVI format) any activity that is occurring on a computer screen. Camstudio also synchronises the audio (either via a microphone or directly from the computer).
This software can enable resources to be produced very quickly and easily without expensive software. Camstudio can also be used by learners to create interactive learning resources themselves. It can output as .avi or .swf format.
Mind mapping software
Mind mapping is the process of drawing up diagrams that show relations between various ideas, tasks or information. For many of us this shows to actually be a way of taking notes that can be more useful than just writing down keywords or sentences like we do on a to-do list.
By drawing mind maps you actually visualize your tasks and how each task can influence each other in a better way, making your brain remember more easily and/or come up with new ideas.
Download free mind mapping software
Screen magnification
iZoom Magnifier
Zoom has more functionality than most other freeware magnification programs including the in built Windows magnifier. It can magnify from 1.5 to 16 times and there are several options for magnification style – e.g. lens, line and split screen horizontal or vertical. A range of colours contrasts are available including black and white and reverse contrast. It works best at a resolution of 800 x 600 or less and with 16-bit colour or less.
Lightning Express
Lightning Express is a magnification software package for the modern PC. Whatever appears on the computer screen can be magnified up to 6 times and it works well with most Windows applications and video clips can also be magnified. It is easy to install and just as easy to use.
KEYBOARD ALTERNATIVES
Click n Type
This provides an on screen keyboard featuring configurable layout, configurable key sizes, colours and transparency complete with auto click options, switch scanning and word prediction.
