New Accesibility Tools

 

Hey everyone! Welcome back to my class blog! Today, I wanted to talk about some accessibility tools I've been using throughout the semester. I think any of the following tools would be really beneficial to use in a classroom.

 1. Screen Magnifier Tool - I use this tool when I can't find my reading glasses, or even when I need to help my mom see something on her phone. This tool has the ability to magnify text or image on your device. It can make words or images bigger, in order to help you see them. 

2. Speech to Text Tool - I personally use this tool on google docs when my hands get tired of typing. All you have to do is speak into the microphone icon, and the words will appear on the page. A feature I really like of text to speech is the ability to speak another language to the tool. It recognizes Spanish and other languages as well. A teacher could utilize this tool with visually impaired students in the classroom.

3. Glean Software - Glean is a study tool that can be used in a multitude of ways to increase accessibility. For example, glean has a tool that transcribes audio. For a student that may have a hard time focusing or note taking, this tool can transcribe the teacher's lecture for use at a later time. The student could take notes of the transcribed lecture. Taking it a step further, the student can also add labels and notes to the audio recordings.

4. Alternative Keyboard - To make your keyboard more accessible, you may choose to add shortcuts to the keyboard, or choose an on-screen keyboard. There are also options to add braille to your keyboard, or even change the layout of your keyboard. This tool may make it easier for some students to use their keyboard.

5. Google Meet - I prefer google meet to zoom and other meeting tools because of its accessibility. Personally, the audio on my computer frequently has issues, so I use live captions on google meet to ensure that I am getting all the info I need from the meeting. A student who is hearing impaired could definitely get good use out of this tool.

6. Color Filter - Color filters can be very useful for those who are visually impaired or those who are color blind. I know you can even use color filters on your phone now. There are options to change screen color to grayscale, red/green, even blue/yellow. 

7. Mouse Pointer - This is a tool I have always used myself! I use the tool on my computer and phone. I use mouse pointer because I would lose the mouse pointer on my screen all the time, since I am visually impaired. I made my mouse bigger, and I made it a bright blue color so. that I can distinguish it against my screen background. This is useful, again, for those visually impaired or color blind. 

.     I hope you all enjoy these tools as much as I do!