Accessibility Tools

 This week I researched 7 different accessibility tools that can help in the classroom. Being a future educator I want to ensure I am aware of any kind of platforms that can be used to help provide the best possible outcomes for my students. There are going to be students who struggle more than others and who need different measures to accommodate them. 

Google Text-to-Speech is the first accessibility tool I researched. This tool will convert text to a natural-sounding voice. This would be a great tool for students that maybe have hard time comprehending instructions. 

C-Pen is also a text-to-speech tool. This tool specifically scans words on paper and reads them aloud. Not only does this pen help people that might suffer from learning disabilities, it also supports multiple languages and can help someone who is trying to learn a different language. 

Smart Pens are another great accessibility tool! Smart Pens often go hand in hand with tablets or smart notebooks. The pens will translate the information you are writing and transform them over to the device you choose to store your notes on. This can help with organization and also helps share with other people! 

Screen Readers are programs that allow the blind or visually impaired the ability to read text. Screen readers converts text and other elements into a Braille output allowing the users to interact with digital content. 

Voice Typing is a type of software that lets you speak into a microphone and transforms those words onto a digital document. This is a great accessibility tool for those who might suffer from physical disabilities and don't have the opportunity to physically type on a keyboard. 

Zoom and magnification tools on browsers are great for users who might have visibility issues. The tools give them the option to enlarge words pictures, and videos making it easier to see and view content. 

Open Dyslexic is a free program that can be downloaded onto a browser that converts text to create increased readability for readers with dyslexia. The program offers regular, bold, and italic styles and offering 2 typefaces of OpenDyslexic and OpenDyslexic-Alta.