Toolbox for Educators:
Technology for Mild Disabilities
Providing Access to the General Education Curriculum
| Fully functioning Web Browsers with Speech | ||
| Name | Publisher/URL | Notes |
http://www.freebstuff.com/ |
(Win) Talking Browser, freeware on CD pay for shipping and handling (12.95). Uses Microsoft Agent Technology to read web information. Users can choose between Talkster (native american woman), Peedy (a parrot), James (a butler), a Genie or no visible agent to be the reader. Users have to highlight the text and select the READ button. | |
http://www.freedomscientific.com |
$425 for Reader, 995 for OCR (WIN), "What you need now" for screenreading and assistant in reading any document from text or the web. Full featured word processor with dictionar | |
http://www.cast.org/
|
Mac/Win $229, Universal Design demonstrated with this talking word processor and fully functioning web browser with numerous options. Navigate to the CAST web site and choose universal design for learning and select software examples to locate eReader. Download two week demo for Win available. | |
| Text-to-speech Word processing | ||
| Name | Publisher/URL | Notes |
http://www.intellitools.com |
$139 (Mac, Win compatible) Fully functioning talking word processor and word prediction program with speech options for letter, word, sentence or paragraph feedback. Spell checking available. On screen palettes and icons can be used as prompts and to create rebus sentences. Formatted to work with Intellikeys and single switches. Locked text allows the teacher to create interactive activities that cannot be changed by students. Comes with complete teachers manual and sample activities that can be developed by the teacher. Visit the Intellitools site for free Intellitalk II Player and downloadable activities. | |
http://www.donjohnston.com |
$99 (Mac, Win compatible) Fully functioning talking word processor with speech options for letter, word, sentence or paragraph feedback. Easy to control text sizing and voice feedback features. Options for spell check and dictionary components provide additional support for students with disabilities. Applet available for Alphasmart. | |
http://www.cast.org/udl/
|
Mac/Win $229, Universal Design demonstrated with this talking word processor and fully functioning web browser with numerous options. Navigate to the CAST web site and choose universal design for learning and select software examples to locate eReader. Download two week demo for Win available. | |
http://www.toolfactory.com
|
Mac/Win $99, Drag and drop pictures, videos and audio. Built in voice engine. Word bank easily accessible at all times. | |
| Text-to-Speech Options and ScreenReaders | ||
| Name | Publisher/URL | Notes |
http://helpread.net |
FREE Windows screenreader for text, Web and Literature. Online tutorials are available and necessary in order to access all the features to read web pages and literature downloads. | |
http://www.apple.com/macosx/ |
OS X supports text to speech and voice recognition. Learn how to set up your computer to your benefit to read everything from email to long word documents. | |
http://www.freebstuff.com/ |
Freeware available as download and on a CD from Code-it for shipping and handling of 12.95- comes with others programs. The company is working toward an easy and lowcost screen reader comparable to JAWS. | |
http://www.readplease.com |
ScreenReader FREE (Win) copy for ReadPlease 2003. ReadPlease 2003 Plus available for 49.95 with enhanced voice capabilties. Copy and paste text into this screenreader or load a txt file. Selection of voices and options for reading highlights. Browser tool available for Internet Explorer will convert text into MP3 files. | |
http://www.donjohnston.com |
Supported Reading Guides model reading strategies, guide effective research projects, give an outline foundation for narrative and expository reading and connect reading and writing. SOLO combined package with ReadAloud, Write Outloud, DraftBuilder and CoWriter - 785.00; Read Aloud onlyl 299.00 | |
http://www.nextup.com/ |
$29.95 Download a demo for free to try this Windows screen reader. Copy and paste text into the talk window for single or multi-article mode for reading Internet or mail files. Designed to help users monitor a variety of informational web pages. | |
http://www.bytecool.com |
Text-to-speech players for Windows $29.95. Listen to any text or web page as a .wav file. Can be set to receive text streams automatically without opening a browser window. Designed to help users monitor a informational web pages. | |
http://www.texthelp.com |
$110 Various pricing available for multiple users, computers, and documents. Provides full access to all PDF documents. | |
| Combination Text-to-speech Word processing, Word Prediction | ||
| Name | Publisher/URL | Notes |
http://www.donjohnston.com |
325 (Mac/Win) Word prediction works in junction with writing software, works with a variety of word processors and creative writing programs. Applet available for Alphasmart. | |
http://www.wordq.com |
145 (+15S/H), (WIN) Word predition program works with MS programs, provides letter, word and sentence speech feedback, 30 day download demo available. | |
http://www.texthelp.com |
$645 (Win/Mac) talking word processor and word prediction combination, special features include homophone support, and word wizard for vocabulary assistance. Interactive demo available. Reads PDF documents, fully integrated into Windows applications. Read and Write 7 for Win (295) and Mac (425) Version also available but includes fewer features. | |
http://www.texthelp.com |
$495(WIN) includes OCR & Browsealoud, adds integrated toolbar to Word or IE. Includes fullly functional word processing options and word prediction, scanning, speech, homophone support. Interactive demo available online. | |
http://www.ahf-net.com/
|
$149 (WIN) Soothsayer Word Prediction 3.0; works with any word processor, web browser, spreadsheet. Offers word and sentence prediction, words can be read, presented in a list or offered to the user one word at a time. Special features of Add-word, AutoType and Word Tips. | |
http://www.is-inc.com/
|
$99 Home version, $249.Single install(WIN) Word processor with features to adjust display and word prediction with flexible features, download demo available. | |
http://www.aurora-systems.com/
|
(Win) 395. Word prediction works with any Windows-based program. | |
| Comprehensive Text-to-Speech Programs | ||
| Name | Publisher/URL | Notes |
http://www.visioncue.com/ |
$695 For Mac and Windows, download a free 20 minute version. Comprehensive program providing both quality speech and braille output. User can define the type of feedback by designating active areas. | |
http://www.freedomsci.com |
$425 for Reader, 995 for OCR (WIN), "What you need now" for screenreading and assistant in reading any document from text or the web. Full featured word processor with dictionary New TESTTAKER feature available.. | |
http://www.kurzweiledu.com |
995 (WIN) Kurzweil 1000 for scanning, reading, and writing comes with 17 button keypad, | |
http://www.kurzweiledu.com |
Variable pricing for multiple packs. (WIN) 349 for read station, 1895 for scan & read station. Kurzweil 3000 to assist with reading speed and comprehension, words are highlighted in contrasting colors as read. | |
http://www.freedomsci.com |
$895 to 1395, fully functioning text-to-speech utility works with any Windows program. Special features to work with html code on web pages. Follows universal design guidelines. Free demo | |
http://www.gwmicro.com |
$595.95 Adds speech to Adobe Acrobat 5.0 files and all latest Microsoft Products | |
| Hal ScreenReader 4.5 | http://www.dolphinuk.co.uk/ |
$695 (Win) Hal adds speech and Braille features to Windows applications so that they can be used easily without sighted assistance. Hal will speak all visible text and Windows items through your computer’s soundcard. |
| Reading Skills | ||
| Name | Publisher/URL | Notes |
http://www.earobics.com |
59-299 (Mac/Win) Activities to develop phonological awareness. Earobics, Step 1, Step 2, Adolescents and Adults Web site contains information on case studies, research results, and support for funding. Background information on Phonological Awareness is also provided | |
Phonics Based Reading |
http://www.lexialearning.com |
Mac/Win 350-500 Reading S.O.S. and Phonics Based Reading were specifically designed to increase automatic word recognition by reinforcing phonemic elements and sound/symbol relationships, provide practice in applying word attack strategies to single words and connected text, and acquire crucial eye focusing and tracking. |
http://www.donjohnston.com |
Mac only, 59.95, sequential spelling lists in a direct instruction format. Hear the word: segmented, repeated and in a sentence. | |
http://www.donjohnston.com |
Mac/Win, 149, sequential lessons to develop decoding skills, develop blending and segmenting skills. | |
http://www.donjohnston.com |
49.95 (Mac/Win) and up, Numerous titles to support early literacy development 49.95 (Mac/Win) and up, based on language experience model. | |
http://www.riverdeep.com |
59.95 (Mac/Win), supports speech recognition, sequential program to teach sounds, decoding, sight words, and reading in context. | |
http://www.reading-assistant.com/ |
399.00 lab pack for 30.Electronic reading assistant to help build fluency and comprehension. Stories that can provide independent oral reading practice. Integrated multimedia dictionary. | |
http://www.studydog.com/ |
FREE program to work on early literacy skills. | |
| Reading Comprehension & Expression | ||
| Name | Publisher/URL | Notes |
http://www.donjohnston.com |
65/174 3pack series (Mac/Win), numerous titles to support high interest reading, Packages include book on CD, audio tape and print. Comprehension texts on CD use "cloze" procedure. | |
http://www.scholastic.com |
Scholastic, in collaboration with Vanderbilt University, created READ 180 to help struggling students break out of the reading failure cycle. READ 180 -a balanced technology and print program -builds essential reading skills and develops fluency through a variety of supported-reading experiences. | |
http://www.myreadingcoach.com |
(WIN) 99 Provides a structured, integrated approach to teach phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary and text comprehension | |
http://www.openbooklearning.com |
(Mac/WIN) Provides a media rich approach to teach emergent and remedial readers | |
| Composition, Visual Literacy and Graphic Organizers | |||
| Name | Publisher/URL | Notes | |
http://www.inspiration.com |
69.95 (Mac/Win) outlining and semantic mapping tools to assist students in creating mental models | ||
http://www.inspiration.com |
69.95 (Mac/Win) semantic mapping tool for K-3, features text-to-speech feedback, and templates for teacher activities | ||
| by Don Johnston |
http://www.donjohnston.com |
149.95 (Mac/Win) Leads students through 3 steps in creating drafts: organizing ideas, taking notes, and writing the draft | |
| by Don Johnston |
http://www.donjohnston.com |
99.95 (Mac/Win) multimedia authoring program for books and presentations, features text-to-speech feedback and easy animation. | |
| by Intellitools |
http://www.intellitools.com |
139.95 (Mac/Win) multimedia authoring program tool and easy animation. | |
|
Clicker 4 |
http://www.cricksoft.com |
199 (Mac/Win) multimedia authoring program with word grids that provide support for developing writers. | |
http://www.fablevision.com |
99.95 (Mac/Win) multimedia program to review strategies for learning and remembering core curriculum content. | ||
| Programs for Creative Writing | ||
| Name | Publisher/URL | Notes |
http://www.riverdeep.com |
59.95, Several libraries of topics: Ocean, Pyramids, Rainforest, Neighborhood, Time travel USA, for multimedia book development | |
http://www.riverdeep.com |
25-80, All time favorite options limited only by imagination!! | |
http://www.riverdeep.com |
15-70, depending on source. Resource for full featured book development | |
http://www.donjohnston.com |
69.95 Multimedia book development. All actions and writing is recorded and can be read back. | |
| Voice Recognition | ||
| Name | Publisher/URL | Notes |
http://www.scansoft.com/ |
Mac/Win 100-200 Suite of packages available to meet individual needs. Training is required!! | |
http://www.scansoft.com/ |
69-700 ScanSoft Suite of packages available to meet individual needs. Training is required!!! | |
http://www.macspeech.com |
99 exclusively for Mac, advanced dictation program. | |
http://www.microsoft.com |
Speech recognition is a feature available with Office XP. The speech feature can be installed through the Tools menu and be used with any of the office packages. The Microsoft web page provides information on how to train your computer for your voice. | |
| Other Aids | ||
| Name | Publisher/URL | Notes |
http://www.wizcomtech.com |
$279 Glide the pen over a word or line for text to speech feedback and definition. | |
http://www.franklin.com |
Range of prices for homework helpers and eBookreaders to download music and books | |
| Alternative Word Processors | ||
| Name | Publisher/URL | Notes |
AlphaSmart |
http://www.alphasmart.com |
199 and up small portable word processor, applet for Co:Writer available. Sign up for a loaner, Dana features full Palm OS. |
http://www.dreamwriter.com |
Dreamwriter and Brainium group packages for word processor and self-contained recharging unit. | |
| Web Toolboxes: Main Menu |
| ©2004 University
of South Carolina Board of Trustees URL:
http://www.ed.sc.edu/caw/bio.html Last updated: Spring, 2006 |