Accommodations
Microsoft XP Access Features
- Word document with tutorials on XP and accessibility.
Mark Sardo's handouts for customizing operating systems
to increase accessibiltiy. (pdf files)
Win 95 . Win
98 . Win
2000 . Win
XP
Mac 8.0 . Mac
8.6 . Mac
9.0 . Mac
9.1
Accommodations Book
by Marty Beech. Excellent resource for techers on accommodations.
Text to Speech
Natural Voice Reader ( Win ) from Natural Voice is a text to speech program that comes in a variety of flavors, including a free one. The Professional ($30.00) and Enterprise ($40.00) editions include high quality AT&T voices.
ReadPlease ( Win ) from ReadPlease
is a free text reader. The commercial version is about $50.00 and
is recommended. The free version will only read from the beginning
of each text file. Nice control over background/foreground colors
and voices.
Reading Bar ( Win ) from ReadPlease is a great utility that adds text to speech to Internet Explorer. It will also increase the size of the page, including graphics, and will convert the text information to an audio file. Trial version lasts about 30 days. Registration costs about $70.00.
ScreenReader ( Win ) from TextHelp is a utility that provides basic text to speech for any text in a Windows based application. A trial version is available. Registration costs about $45.00.
TextAloud ( Win ) from TextAloud
is a text reader that will render text files into audio files that
can be burned to CD or played on MP3 players. Great way to make
audio books. 30 day trial.
Ultimate Reading Machine ( Win ) from URM
is another text reader that will convert text to audio. Limited
trial.
CAST eReader ( Win ) from CAST
is a feature rich text reader with a built in Internet browser for
reading webpages. 10 day trial.
TypeTalker ( Mac ) from Kohshin
is an inexpensive ($18) talking word processor. Demo. This is an
old but good program.
ySpeak ( Mac ) from ySpeak
is a free talking word processor.
Talk-to-Me ( Win ) from Cantrell
Software is a great text to speech utility that runs in the
background on the computer. It uses the Microsoft Agent technology
that includes speaking characters, such as Merlin the Magician or
Peedy the Parrot. The trial version is good for 20 sessions. Cost
is about $29.00.
Text Scanning Software
WYNN ( Win ) from Freedom
Scientific is a feature rich program that will scan printed
text into the computer, retaining the original format and graphics,
and then read the text aloud to the student. It also include features
for reformating the text to make it more accessible. A 30 day or
30 hour trial version is available.
TestTalker ( Win ) from Freedom
Scientific enables you to create talking tests and worksheets.
A timed evaluation version is available.
Kurzweil 3000 ( Win . Mac ) from Kurzweil
Educational Systems is a feature rich program that will scan
printed text into the computer, retaining the original format and
graphics, and then read the text aloud to the student. It also includes
features for reformating the text to make it more accessible. You
can request a trial version on CD and a Flash version can be viewed
on the Internet.
OnScreen Keyboards
Click n'Type ( Win ) from Lake
Software is a free onscreen keyboard with basic word prediction
features.
OnScreen (. Win . Mac .) from RJ
Cooper is an onscreen keyboard with "word complete"
features. 14 day trial. You can request a free CD with all their
stuff on it.
Keystrokes 2 ( Mac ) from Assistiveware
is a nice looking onscrreen keyboard that works with OSX and includes
word prediction features. Demo.
Reach ( Win ) from AHF
is a feature rich onscreen keyboard with word prediction. Very customizable.
30 day trial.
My-T-Mouse and My-T-Mouse for Kids,
both Windows, from IMG.
Onscreen keyboards. Demo.
Screen Magnifiers
BigShot Magnifier ( Win ) from BigShot
is a full featured screen magnifier. 30 day trial.
Lunar 5.1 ( Win ) from Dolphin
is a full featured screen magnifier. 30 minute sessions.
MAGic8 ( Win ) from Freedom
Scientific is a full featured screen magnifier. 40 minute sessions.ZoomText
( Win ) from AiSquared is a full featured screen magnifier. 30 day
trial.
inLarge ( Mac ) from ALVA
is a full featured screen magnifier. 20 minute sessions.
Lens Magnifying Glass ( Win ) is a simple free
utility that magnifies a small area of the desktop. You can download it at magnifiers.org.
Dragnifier ( Win ) is another free utility that magnifies a small area of the desktop. You can download it at magnifiers.org.
Screen Readers
JAWS ( Win ) from Freedom
Scientific is a full featured screen reading program. 40 minute
sessions.
Window-Eyes ( Win ) from GW
Micro is a full featured screen reader. 30 minute sessions.
outSpoken ( Mac ) from ALVA
is a full featured screen reading program. Demo.
Access
From RJ Cooper. 14 day trials.
Biggy Lite Cursors (. Win . Mac .)
CrossScanner - switch access (. Win . Mac .)
ScanBuddy ( Win ) from AHF
is a switch control system. 30 day trial.
IntelliTools Players
IntelliTalkII (. Win . Mac .)
IntelliMathics (. Win . Mac .)
IntelliStudio (. Win . Mac .)
. 