Assistive Software/Hardware Based on Disability
Technologies for Blind and Visual Impairments
- JAWS
- Zoomtext
- Kurzweil 1000
- OpenBook
- IBM Home Page Reader
- Microsoft Windows Options for Blind/Vision Impairments
- Mac OS X Vision Accessibility
- GNOME Vision Accessibility
Technologies for Movement Impairments
- Dragon Naturally Speaking
- IBM ViaVoice
- TextHelp Read&Write
- WordQ
- Microsoft Windows Options for People Who Have Movement Impairments
- Mac OS X Physical/Motor Accessibility
- X-Windows/GNOME
- Alternative Keyboards and Mice
Technologies for Learning Disabilities
- Kurzweil 3000
- TextHelp Read&Write
- WordQ
- Microsoft Windows Options for People Who Have Learning/Cognitive Disabilities
- Mac OS X Language and Communication Accessibility
JAWS
JAWS is a screenreader. JAWS for Windows works with your PC to provide access to software applications and the Internet. With its internal software speech synthesizer and the computer’s sound card, information from the screen is read aloud. JAWS also outputs to refreshable Braille displays.
JAWS Links
- www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/software_jaws.asp
- JAWS tutorials from Freedom Scientific
- JAWS tutorials from the University of Buffalo (pdf format)
- JAWS quickstart tutorial from Ohio State University
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Zoomtext
ZoomText is a magnifier/screenreader that echoes typing, reads information pointed to by the mouse, and speaks program events as they occur.
Zoomtext Links
- www.aisquared.com
- Zoomtext tutorials from the University of Buffalo (pdf format)
- Zoomtext tutorial from the College of New Jersey
- Zoomtext quickstart tutorial from Ohio State University
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Kurzweil 1000
Kurzweil 1000 is an advanced scanning and reading solution for the blind or visually impaired.
Kurzweil 1000 Links
- www.kurzweiledu.com/products_k1000.asp
- Kurzweil 1000 tutorial from Kurzweil Educational Systems
- Kurzweil 1000 tutorial from the College of New Jersey
- Kurzweil 1000 tutorial from the University of Southern Maine
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OpenBook
OpenBook allows you to scan and convert printed documents or graphic based text into an electronic text format using accurate optical character recognition and quality speech.
OpenBook Links
- www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/software_open.asp
- OpenBook documentation from Freedom Scientific
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IBM Home Page Reader
Home Page Reader is a web access tool for blind and low vision users
Home Page Reader Links
Microsoft Windows Options for Blind/Vision Impairments
If you are blind or have difficulty seeing things on screen, you can quickly set vision related options using the Accessibility Wizard. Options include scrollbar and window border size, desktop icons, high contrast schemes, size and color of the mouse cursor, and the cursor width and blink rate.
Accessibility Wizard Links
- Setting Windows options for people who are blind or have vision impairments
- ToggleKeys: Hear Tones When Pressing Certain Keys - ToggleKeys is an accessibility feature designed for people who have vision impairment or cognitive disabilities. Learn how to use ToggleKeys in Windows XP.
- High Contrast: Choose a High Contrast Color Combination to Improve Screen Resolution - High Contrast color schemes can increase legibility for some users by heightening screen contrast with alternative color combinations. Learn how to enable high contrast in Windows XP.
- Choose the Width and Blink Rate of the Cursor - Adjusting the cursor width and blink rate makes it easier to see. Learn how to set the cursor width and blink rate in Windows XP.
- Use Large Icons - You can enlarge the icons on your screen to make them easier to see or to access. Learn how to use large icons in Windows XP.
- Choose Screen Resolution - For higher legibility of documents on screen, you can adjust the screen resolution of your monitor. Learn how to adjust screen resolution in Windows XP.
- Choose a Pointer Scheme - You can choose a pointer schemea predefined set of mouse pointers, such as Magnified or Windows Black (extra large)to increase visibility of the mouse pointer on your screen. Learn how to choose a pointer scheme in Windows XP.
- Display Pointer Trails - For better visibility of the mouse pointer, you can set Windows XP to display pointer trails on Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens. Learn how to display pointer trails in Windows XP.
- Hide the Pointer While Typing - For better visibility of your document while you work especially if you use an enlarged mouse pointer or a pointer scheme, you can set Windows XP to hide the mouse pointer while you type. Learn how to hide the pointer while typing in Windows XP.
- Show Location of Pointer - You can use a brief animation to help you quickly locate the pointer on your screen while you work. Learn how to use this feature in Windows XP.
- Ignore Colors, Font Styles, or Font Sizes Specified on Web Pages - Your color and style selections can override those on a Web page if you set Internet Explorer 6 to ignore colors, font styles, and font sizes specified on Web pages. Learn how to ignore Web colors and fonts in Windows XP.
- Format Web Pages Using a Custom Style Sheet - Advanced computer users can display Web pages using their own custom style sheets to specify the default font style, size, colors, and background for text and headings. Learn how to use style sheets in Windows XP.
- Select Text and Background Colors of Web Pages - To increase contrast between screen elements, you can select text and background colors of Web pages displayed on your screen. Learn how to select text and background colors with Windows XP.
- Select Colors for Visited and Unvisited Links - Particular color choices make links easier to see for some users, especially those who use highcontrast color schemes. Learn how to select colors for visited and unvisited links on Web pages in Windows XP.
- Select Hover Link Colors - You can choose a color to display links you pass over or point to with the mouse pointer. This hover color and can help some people with vision or cognitive impairments identify links on Web pages. Learn how to change hover colors in Windows XP.
- Select a Font Style for Web Pages that Do Not Have a Specified Text Font - You can select a font style to be used in Web pages that do not have a specified text font. Learn how to use this feature in Windows XP.
- Always Expand ALT Text for Images - The ALT text is read by the text-to-speech engine to describe images. Learn how to ensure that ALT text is not cut off if the amount of ALT text is larger than the image in Windows XP.
- Turn On or Turn Off Play Animations, Sounds, and Videos in Web Pages - Turning off the ability to play animations, sounds, and videos will often improve the visual experience for people who have low vision or who are sensitive to screen flashing. Learn how to turn off or turn on these features in Windows XP.
- Choose a Sound Scheme - Sound schemes can benefit people who rely on sounds to get information from their computers including people who are blind or have other vision impairments. Learn how to use sound schemes in Windows XP.
- Assign a Sound to a System Event - Unique sounds help users who are blind navigate on their computers. Learn how to use assign sounds in Windows XP.
- Customize the Start Menu - The size of icons and number of items on the Start menu can benefit people with vision impairments and cognitive/learning disorders. Learn how to customize the Start menu in Windows XP.
- Turn On and Use Narrator - Narrator is a Text-to-Speech utility for people who are blind or have low vision. Learn how to turn on and use Narrator in Windows XP.
- Set Narrator to Announce Events on the Screen - Narrator is a Text-to-Speech utility for people who are blind or have low vision. Learn how to set Narrator to announce when new windows are opened in Windows XP.
- Set Narrator to Read Typed Characters - Narrator is a Text-to-Speech utility for people who are blind or have low vision. Learn how to set Narrator to read typed characters aloud in Windows XP.
- Set Narrator to Move Mouse Pointer to the Active Item - Narrator is a Text-to-Speech utility for people who are blind or have low vision. Learn how to set Narrator to move to an active item and read it aloud in Windows XP.
- Start Narrator Minimized - Narrator is a Text-to-Speech utility for people who are blind or have low vision. Learn how to automatically start Narrator minimized so it's easily accessible on the taskbar in Windows XP.
- Set Narrator Voice Options - Narrator is a Text-to-Speech utility for people who are blind or have low vision. Learn how to set Narrator voice options in Windows XP.
- Turn On and Use Magnifier - Magnifier is a display utility that makes the computer screen more readable by people. Learn how to turn on and use Magnifier in Windows XP.
- Change the Position of the Magnifier Window - Magnifier is a display utility that makes the computer screen more readable by people. Learn how to change the position of the Magnifier window in Windows XP.
- Change the Size of the Magnifier Window - Magnifier is a display utility that makes the computer screen more readable by people. Learn how to change the size of the Magnifier window in Windows XP.
- Invert the Colors of the Magnifier Window - Magnifier is a display utility that makes the computer screen more readable. Learn how to invert the colors of the Magnifier window in Windows XP.
- Set the Magnifier Magnification Level - Magnifier is a display utility that makes the computer screen more readable by people. Learn how to set the Magnifier magnification level in Windows XP.
- Set Magnifier Tracking Options - Magnifier is a display utility that makes the computer screen more readable by people. Learn how to set Magnifier tracking options in Windows XP.
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Microsoft Windows Options for People Who Have Movement Impairments
If you have difficulty using the keyboard or mouse, you can quickly set options using the Accessibility Wizard. Mobility options include turning on StickyKeys, MouseKeys, and FilterKeys, getting extra keyboard help in programs, selecting cursor size and color options, mouse button configuration, and mouse pointer speed.
Windows Options - movement impairment Links
- Setting Windows options for people who have difficulty using the keyboard or mouse
- StickyKeys: Press One Key at a Time for Key Combinations - StickyKeys is an accessibility feature designed for people who have difficulty holding down two or more keys at a time. Learn how to use StickyKeys in Windows XP.
- FilterKeys: Ignore Brief or Repeated Keystrokes and Slow Down the Repeat Rate - FilterKeys adjusts the keyboard response so that inadvertently repeated keystrokes are ignored. Learn how to turn on FilterKeys in Windows XP.
- MouseKeys: Control the Mouse Pointer Using the Numeric Keypad - MouseKeys allows you to use the numeric keypad to control the movement of the mouse pointer. Learn how to use this feature in Windows XP.
- Turn On and Use On-Screen Keyboard - Besides providing a minimum level of functionality for some people with mobility impairments, On-Screen Keyboard can also help people who do not know how to type. Learn how to use the On-Screen Keyboard in Windows XP.
- Select a Keyboard Layout - Learn how to use the On-Screen Keyboard features in Windows XP.
- Keep On-Screen Keyboard Window on Top - On-Screen Keyboard is an accessibility utility that displays a virtual keyboard on the computer screen. Learn how to set the On-Screen Keyboard so it is always visible in Windows XP.
- Use an Audible Click - On-Screen Keyboard is an accessibility utility that displays a virtual keyboard on the computer screen. Learn how to add an audible click when you select a key using On-Screen Keyboard in Windows XP.
- Use Clicking Mode - On-Screen Keyboard is an accessibility utility that displays a virtual keyboard on the computer screen. Learn how to use clicking mode, select the On-Screen keys to type text, in Windows XP.
- Use Hovering Mode - On-Screen Keyboard is an accessibility utility that displays a virtual keyboard on the computer screen. Learn how to use hovering mode, using a mouse or joystick to point to a key for a predefined period of time, in Windows XP.
- Use Scanning Mode - On-Screen Keyboard is a utility that displays a virtual keyboard on the computer screen. Learn how to use scanning mode in On-Screen Keyboard, continually scanning the keyboard and highlighting areas where you can type keyboard characters by pressing a hot key or using a switchinput device, in Windows XP.
- SerialKeys: Use an Alternative Input Device Instead of a Keyboard or Mouse - SerialKeys is an accessibility feature designed for people who have difficulty using the computer's standard keyboard or mouse. Learn how to use SerialKeys in Windows XP.
- Reverse the Function of the Right and Left Mouse Buttons - For accessibility needs, or for lefthanded mouse use, you can reverse the buttons and use the right mouse button as the primary button. Learn how to reverse the mouse button functions in Windows XP.
- Adjust the DoubleClick Speed of the Mouse - You can adjust the doubleclick speed of the mouse to make it respond faster or slower to meet your accessibility needs. Learn how to adjust doubleclick speed in Windows XP.
- ClickLock: Highlight or Drag Without Holding Down the Mouse Button - To highlight or drag items without holding the mouse button, you can select the ClickLock option. Learn how to enable ClickLock in Windows XP.
- Select a Pointer Speed - Pointer speed relates to the distance that the pointer moves respective to the distance that the mouse or trackball moves. Learn how to adjust the speed to your needs and preferences in Windows XP.
- SnapTo: Move Pointer to the Default Button in a Dialog Box - You can choose to have the pointer move to the default button in a dialog box so it is easier to see which button or option has focus and will be activated when you press ENTER. Learn how to use SnapTo in Windows XP.
- Adjust the Character Repeat Rate - Adjusting the speed at which a character repeats when you hold down a key can help people with impaired mobility. Learn how to change character repeat rates in Windows XP.
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Microsoft Windows Options for People Who Have Learning/Cognitive Disabilities
Windows Options - learning/cognitive Links
- ToggleKeys: Hear Tones When Pressing Certain Keys - ToggleKeys is an accessibility feature designed for people who have vision impairment or cognitive disabilities. Learn how to use ToggleKeys in Windows XP.
- Select Hover Link Colors - You can choose a color to display links you pass over or point to with the mouse pointer. This hover color and can help some people with vision or cognitive impairments identify links on Web pages. Learn how to change hover colors in Windows XP.
- Customize the Start Menu - The size of icons and number of items on the Start menu can benefit people with vision impairments and cognitive/learning disorders. Learn how to customize the Start menu in Windows XP.
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Mac OS X Vision Accessibility
Mac OS X has many technologies to assist you if you have difficulty seeing content on the computer screen. These solutions will assist you if you cannot use a computer monitor and must receive information via another sense — hearing or touch. In addition, you can configure your Mac to make sure the screen on your computer is more legible.
Mac OSX vision accessibility Links
Mac OS X Physical/Motor Accessibility
Mac OS X has assistive technologies that can help you navigate your computer, even if you have difficulties using the keyboard, mouse and track pad.
Mac OSX physical accessibility Links
Mac OS X Language and Communication Accessibility
Mac OS X TextEdit can speak an entire document or selected text. You can also customize the voice and speed by customizing your Speech settings in the System Preferences application. in addition, TextEdit has spell checking and word completion to assist students with learning or cognitive disabilities.
Mac OSX Text Edit Links
GNOME Vision Accessibility
The Gnopernicus project aims to enable users with limited vision, or no vision, to use the Gnome 2 desktop and Gnome/GTK+-2 applications effectively.
Gnome vision accessibility Links
X-Windows/GNOME
AccessX is a set of features within the XKEYBOARD extension of the X Window System designed to make X more accessible to users with disabilities.
X-Windows Links
GOK (Gnome Onscreen Keyboard) aims to enable users to control their computer without having to rely on a standard keyboard or mouse.
GOK Links
Dragon Naturally Speaking
The Dragon NaturallySpeaking is a voice input program. Users can dictate into windows-based applications and Dragon turns the speach into text.
DNS Links
- www.scansoft.com/naturallyspeaking
- Tutorial of Dragon Naturally Speaking Initial Voice Training from the University of Toronto
- Tutorial of Dragon Naturally Speaking Supplementary Training and Re-Training from the University of Toronto
- Dragon Naturally Speaking Basic Features from the University of Toronto
- NaturallySpeaking Quick Start Guide from the University of Tennessee - pdf format
- Comparison of Dragon Naturally Speaking 7.0 Preferred Edition vs. ViaVoice 10.0 Standard Edition done by the University of Toronto
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IBM ViaVoice
IBM ViaVoice is a voice input program. Users can dictate into software applications and ViaVoice turns the speach into text. Versions are available for Windows and Mac.
ViaVoice Links
- www.scansoft.com/viavoice
- ViaVoice Basic Features from the University of Toronto
- ViaVoice (ver 9) Teacher's Tutorial from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (pdf)
- Comparison of Dragon Naturally Speaking 7.0 Preferred Edition vs. ViaVoice 10.0 Standard Edition done by the University of Toronto
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TextHelp Read&Write
Read&Write has been designed as a ‘floating’ toolbar that will help improve reading & writing skills, with features such as speech feedback, phonetic spell checking, word prediction & homophone support.
Read&Write Links
WordQ
WordQ software is a special education writing tool used along with standard Windows word processing software to provide spelling, English grammar (and French grammar), and reading assistance. It uses advanced word prediction to suggest words for you to use and provides spoken (text-to-speech) feedback. WordQ also acts a text reader to help you proof-read your work or to read existing or scanned text.
WordQ Links
Kurzweil 3000
Kurzweil 3000 is a scanning, reading and writing solution for people with learning disabilities or reading difficulties. Available for Windows and Macintosh.
Kurzweil 3000 Links
- www.kurzweiledu.com/products_k3000win.asp - Windows
- www.kurzweiledu.com/products_k3000mac.asp - Mac OS X
- Kurzweil 3000 tutorial from UW-La Crosse
- Kurzweil 3000 tutorial from the College of New Jersey
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Alternative Keyboards and Mice
Keyboards and Mice Links
- Intellikeys - The IntelliKeys® keyboard is a versatile enlarged keyboard that plugs into any Macintosh or Windows computer with only the change of a cable. It enables users with physical, visual, or cognitive disabilities to easily type, enter numbers, navigate on-screen displays, and execute menu commands.
- Infogrip BAT Chordic Keyboard - Infogrip's BAT Keyboard is a one-handed, compact input device that replicates all the functions of a full-size keyboard, but with greater efficiency and convenience.
- Mini keyboards - examples (www.fentek-ind.com)
- Big Key Keyboards - examples (www.fentek-ind.com)
- Large Print Keyboards - examples (www.fentek-ind.com)
- Trackballs - examples (www.kensington.com)
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