Assistive Technology

Text-to-speech reads text out loud. As it reads, the words are highlighted. It supports reading, and is also helpful for proofreading. Some examples are:

Kurzweil 3000/Firefly

A program that offers tools to support reading, writing, and studying, and includes such features as different voices, changing the speech rate, dictionaries, highlight tools and custom notes, bookmarking pages, and OCR (Optical Character Recognition).

Read&Write

A program which offers tools to support reading, writing and studying, and includes such features as word prediction, dictionaries, changing the speech rate, audio maker, screen masking, OCR (Optical Character Recognition), and highlight tools.

webReader in MyCanvas

A screen reader for use during quizzes, tests, and exams.

Immersive Reader in MyCanvas and Office 365

A text-to-speech program that reads the text in a clutter free page. It offers a number of features, such as changing the font size, background contrast, line focus, and showing the syllables in a word.

cPen Reader

A handheld device that reads text out loud on paper based documents and books. It can also be used for scanning information from a textbook to the computer.

Screen Readers are software that supports individuals with low vision/blindness to access, read text and documents, and navigate the computer.

JAWS for Windows

A popular screen reader program that supports individuals with low vision or blindness with reading the text on the screen out loud, as well as with navigating the menus and tabs on the screen. Some of its features include: scans and reads documents, emails, websites, and apps; accessible with web forms and pdf’s; Skim Reader and Text Analyser. It is compatible with different browsers, OS’s, and other programs and devices, such as ZoomText and Braille displays. It is available through MohawkApps.

NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access)

A free open-source screen reader program that supports individuals with low vision or blindness with reading the text on the screen out loud, as well as with navigating the menus and tabs on the screen. It is compatible with: Windows, different web browsers, email programs, music players, and office programs. It also supports input from Braille devices. It is free to download from their website.

VoiceOver (for Apple devices only)

A screen reader program built into Apple devices. It enables individuals with low vision or blindness to control their computer using keyboard shortcuts and gestures, and to hear the words on the screen read out loud. It is compatible with different web browsers, email programs, office products, and supports input from Braille devices.

It is a writing tool where the words you speak (i.e. dictate) appear on the screen. Some examples are:

Dragon Naturally Speaking (DNS)

A powerful software program available for Windows computers that supports dictation of messages both online and offline, and in a variety of applications. It also has commands that can be used to navigate the computer. It requires some training to improve the voice profile’s accuracy and to learn the various commands.

Dictation on Apple devices

Available on Mac computers as well as iPhone and iPad.

Dictate in Office 365

Available in the latest version of Office 365 Word and PowerPoint, and the online version of Office 365.

Google Voice Typing

Available in Google Docs and Google Slides.

Windows Voice Recognition

Press the Windows key + H.

Word prediction is a program that gives a list of word suggestions based on what a person is spelling. It is popular on cell phones. Some examples are:

WordQ

A powerful word prediction software that assists with writing, proofreading and editing. Some of its features include: maximum 9 word choices, auditory feedback when typing and when the mouse hovers over the words in the list, synonym and usage examples, and read aloud. It is available through MohawkApps, but requires use of the college’s VPN to use off-site.

Windows 10 word prediction

Start > Settings > Devices > Typing > under Hardware Keyboard, turn on ‘Show Text Suggestions as I Type’

Word prediction in Read&Write

One of the tools available in the Read and Write toolbar is word prediction. It is the crystal ball icon. A couple of its features are: maximum 8 word choices, auditory feedback when the mouse hovers over the words in the list and when typing. For support with proofreading and editing, the Read and Write toolbar includes text-to-speech tools and the Check It! tool, a spelling and grammar check.

Mind-maps are a tool that visually displays information. It is useful for brainstorming ideas, developing an outline for an essay, seeing relationships or connections between concepts, breaking down the steps of a process, among other uses. There are many mind-maps programs available, these are a few examples:

Mindomo

A mind mapping program that includes features such as, a variety of templates, inserting pictures and videos, colour coding of branches, viewing it in a web diagram or in an outline, and exporting it in different formats.

Visio

A flowchart and mind-mapping program created by Microsoft. It offers a number of templates, and integrates with other Microsoft products. It is available to Mohawk College staff and students through Office 365 online.

Magnification software is a type of assistive technology that increases the display size of a computer screen or monitor.

ZoomText

A magnification program that enlarges text, icons on the screen. ZoomText is available for download through MohawkApps

Windows Magnifier – found under Ease of Access

A magnifying or Zoom tool built-in to Windows. It can magnify either the whole screen, docked at the top of the screen, or in a lens that follows the mouse cursor. Settings can be customized in Ease of Access.

Zoom (Magnifier for Mac computers) – found under System Preferences > Accessibility

A magnification tool built-in to Mac computers. Some of the magnify options are: keyboard shortcuts to increase or decrease the Zoom; scroll gestures which magnify either the whole screen, split a portion of the screen, or present in a picture-in-picture view; or enable hover over text. For more information, please refer to this support article. Zoom is also available in iOS devices.

• Windows 10 offers accessibility features to support vision, hearing, mobility, and learning, such as word prediction, screen reader, magnification, screen contrast settings, on-screen keyboard, mouse settings, and others. For more information, please visit the Microsoft accessibility website.
• For more information about Microsoft’s Learning Tools, please visit the Microsoft learning tools website.

• Mac computers offer accessibility features to support vision, hearing, mobility, and learning, such as text-to-speech, screen readers, voice recognition, screen contrast settings, and others. For more information, please visit this resource guide by Apple: https://www.apple.com/ca/accessibility/
• Accessibility features on Mac computers can be found under System Preferences > Accessibility
• Accessibility features on iPhone and iPad can be found under Settings > Accessibility
• To enable dictation, voice recognition, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Dictation on Mac computers and Settings > General > Keyboard on iPhone and iPad

• Download the Android Accessibility Suite
• This is some information about accessibility features available on Android devices: https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/6006564?hl=en#
• Accessibility tools on Android devices may be located in different places depending on the device you are using and the version of the operating system on that devices

• Chromebooks offer some accessibility features to support an individual’s needs. For more information about some of Accessibility Features for Chromebooks, please visit: https://www.google.com/chromebook/accessibility/. For information on how to turn on a Chromebook's accessibility features https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/177893?hl=en.