Accessibility Tools

This week, I took some time to research several tools that can help students with different needs, and I wanted to share the ones I found most helpful. One tool that really stood out to me was Read by Texthelp. It offers features like text-to-speech and speech-to-text, which are particularly helpful for students who struggle with reading or writing. Additionally, it has a picture dictionary and translation options that make it easier for students with dyslexia or language barriers to understand content. Another tool I found useful is Microsoft Immersive Reader, which is available in many Microsoft apps. It reads text aloud while highlighting it, making it easier for students to follow along. It also allows users to adjust font sizes, spacing, and background colors, which can be incredibly beneficial for students with dyslexia or visual impairments. I also came across Ghotit Real Writer, which is designed for students with dyslexia and other learning challenges. It understands phonetic spelling and offers grammar and spelling correction that can be more accurate than traditional spell checkers. The text-to-speech function is a great bonus, as it helps students review their work and spot mistakes. For students with visual impairments, ZoomText is a great tool. It magnifies text and enhances screen elements, making it easier to read. It also has a built-in text-to-speech function, which makes it a valuable resource for students with low vision. Kurzweil 3000 is another tool I came across, and it’s designed to support students with learning disabilities. It offers features like text-to-speech, word prediction, and tools for organizing information, which can help students process and retain material better. I also looked into NaturalReader, which is another text-to-speech tool. It has natural-sounding voices and works with a variety of documents, including PDFs, Word files, and web pages. This tool can be especially helpful for students with ADHD, as it provides auditory support that can help them stay focused. Finally, Speechify is another text to speech tool I found that uses AI powered voices to read text from documents, emails, and webpages. The voices are clear and natural, which can help students concentrate better and improve their understanding of the material. These tools are all incredibly useful for supporting students with accessibility needs. Whether it’s helping with reading, writing, or visual challenges, these resources ensure that every student has the support they need to succeed. As future educators, it's important that we make use of these technologies to create an inclusive environment where all students can thrive.