Software

1) Zoom Text

Talking Screen Enlargement

Zoom Text 8.0 enlarges, enhances and reads aloud everything on the screen, with unmatched quality and performance. Access to documents, email and the Internet has never been easier or more accurate. The new Zoom Text 8.0 comes in two great products; Zoom Text Magnifier – a standalone screen magnifier, and Zoom Text Magnifier/ Screen Reader – a fully integrated magnifier and screen reader.

2) Naturally Speaking

Voice Input Software

Naturally Speaking is a dictation program that allows the user to generate text by speaking into a microphone attached to the computer. It allows users with limited hand use, or poor typing ability, to rapidly generate text.

3) On-Screen Keyboard

Screen Doors displays a graphic representation of a keyboard on the computer screen. Clicking on a "key" with a mouse (or alternative mouse device) has the same effect as pressing that key on the keyboard. This allows the user who can use a mouse or mouse alternative, but not a keyboard, to type. Since this process is slow (one letter at a time. Screen Doors incorporates a word prediction /word completion feature. As the user types, the program displays a list of words that are statistically most likely; if the right word papers in the list, the user can click on it to type the whole word. IntelliTalk
 

4) Word Q (Word Prediction Software)

WordQ™ is a software tool used along with standard writing software. WordQ suggests words for you to use and provides spoken feedback to help you find mistakes. Users of all ages who have problems writing and editing, particularly those with learning disabilities (LD), can benefit from using WordQ. It features a carefully thought-out design with only essential functions that have demonstrated benefits to help students write.

WordQ was researched and developed at Bloorview Kids Rehab, an internationally renowned children’s rehabilitation hospital located in Toronto, Canada along with educators and professionals working with students with learning disabilities.

Install WordQ and begin using it immediately with any word processor. State-of-the-art word prediction suggests words when you have trouble spelling or choosing the right word. A special text-reading mode helps you proofread. With Microsoft® Word, WordPad, Notepad or Outlook, text can be highlighted and read aloud within that application.

WordQ does not correct your grammar, sort out your punctuation or provide you with creative ideas. Instead WordQ allows you to independently write your own ideas, and check your spelling, grammar and punctuation so that you can become a more competent and confident writer.

WordQ benefits a wide range of users; it helps develop confidence, improves productivity, increases self-esteem and fosters a spirit of inclusion – some of our users say that it has changed their lives! The main advantage of WordQ over other products is that it is extremely clean, simple and easy-to-use. Teachers in special education will appreciate its simplicity.

WordQ 2 now includes:

• Natural sounding text-to-speech

• In-context prediction for corrections

• Usage examples for confusing words

• Predictions based on creative spelling

5)  IntelliTalk Talking Word Processor

This award-winning word processor from IntelliTools combines speech, graphics, and text in exciting new ways.

Reading and writing can present formidable challenges - especially for students with disabilities. The dynamic new features in IntelliTalk II are designed to help students meet challenges and experience success by giving every student the support he/she needs. 

Speech options and auditory Spell Check reinforce letter and word recognition.
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5)  Co-Writer

Word Prediction Software on the Macintosh

Co-Writer is the writing assistant with intelligent word prediction that helps struggling students build and write complete and correct sentences. It reduces the number of keystrokes needed to produce a word or sentence, so students aren't frustrated by writing. A Don Johnston best-seller year after year,

Co-Writer makes the writing process easier, faster and even better for struggling writers in all grades.

As the student writes, Co- Writer uses its built-in intelligence to prompt the student with words that fit into the sentence. Three dictionaries to choose from: 2,000 words, for beginning writers, and 10,000 words and 40,000 words for students of all ability levels.


Writing with Co-Writer helps teach students many basic writing process concepts.

6) JAWS Talking Screen reader

The most popular screen reader worldwide, JAWS^® for Windows^® works with your PC to provide access to today’s software applications and the Internet. With its internal software speech synthesizer and the computer’s sound card, information from the screen is read aloud, providing technology to access a wide variety of information, education and job related applications. JAWS also outputs to refreshable Braille displays, providing unmatched Braille support of any screen reader on the market. Get started with training in DAISY format and a trial version of Freedom Scientifics' FSReader DAISY player software.

To ask questions about the software, see below!