There are thousands of apps and devices available now to make our lives easier and provide access and functionality that we may not otherwise have. Access technologies are built into the operating systems of our computers and mobile devices and are available as free and low-cost add-on apps. Some of the more popular ones are included below.
If you have experience with additional tools that you think others can benefit from, please contact ITS (ITSHelp@黑料网.edu) and let us know what has worked well for you.
Whether you are unable to type due to an injury or disability or just prefer dictation to typing, there are several options for generating text by speaking into your computer or mobile device.
Google Docs
See an overview of using dictation in Gmail and Google docs in the following 6 minute video: .
With a Google document open, select Tools > Voice Typing.
Select the microphone that appears on the left side of your document window.
When prompted for permission to use your microphone, respond yes. The microphone icon will turn red as you talk and Google Docs will start transcribing what you say.
Click on the microphone to turn voice recognition off.
Voice commands are also available for formatting documents. See .
Gmail
A Chrome extension is required to implement voice typing in Gmail. Install the .
When composing a new email, a microphone will appear net to the Send button in the new email window. After selecting the microphone icon, you will get a message asking you to allow use of the microphone.
Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint
In Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Office applications, hold down the Windows key + H to open a dictation toolbar at the top of the screen. If this is the first time you have used it, a message with the following link appears: "To use dictation, go to Settings and turn on Online speech recognition." Click on the link, then toggle the speech recognition to On.
Return to your Word document and press the Windows key + H to activate the dictation feature. The same tool will work in Excel and PowerPoint.
Windows
See for information on getting started and commands to use to edit with Windows voice recognition.
MacOS
See for information about setting up this feature.
Text-to-speech tools are essential for some people - those with low vision, those who struggle with reading, those who easily lose focus - but can also be useful for people needing to give their eyes a rest, as a means of proofreading content you have created or for those who wish to listen to the content at a faster rate.
is an app that converts text to speech for those who wish to listen to text being read aloud. NaturalReader is available as an online tool, installed as a Chrome extension or as a mobile app. NaturalReader will read web pages, email, Google docs and several file types including PDF, DOCX, PPTX, JPG, and screenshots among others. Contact ITSHelp@黑料网.edu to request a NaturalReader account.
Some additional free and low-cost tools that convert text to speech include:
- Microsoft Office documents: Select the Review tab, then "Read Aloud" or ALT+CTRL+Space (FREE)
- Websites and Google apps: (+Chrome extension for websites & Google apps) (FREE)
- iOS mobile devices: ($)
- Browser-based apps or multi-platform:
- - reads email, messages, documents, websites, multimedia, photo of a document ($)
- For Chrome, iPhone, iPad
- - reads email, messages, documents, websites, multimedia, photo of a document ($)
Whether you benefit from a little magnification or a lot, most computer and mobile devices have magnification options built into the operating system.
Windows
To turn the magnifier on, select Windows key + Plus sign (+). See . There are several options for magnifying all or parts of the screen.
When viewing a webpage, use Ctrl + Plus sign (+) to magnify in smaller increments, 10%, 25%, 50%... 500%.
Mac
Set up zoom by selecting Apple menu > System Preferences, then select Accessibility. Select Zoom in the left sidebar, then select the Zoom features you find helpful. For more information, see .
Create notes that integrate handwriting, typing, drawing and pictures. Annotate PDFs, Powerpoints and other documents and record audio in a single environment. Some free and low-cost options for digital note taking include:
iOS Devices:
Android or iOS Devices:
Read more about additional accessibility features on the Mac at . They include features like:
- to increase contrast
- so you can hear everything even if using only one headphone
See to read about the awesome accessibility features available including:
- to reduce screen brightness and increase contrast
- to help distinguish between items on the screen that differ only by color
- so you can hear everything, even if you're using just one headphone
(Source: Augsburg University)
(Source: AHEAD)