e-Bility disABILITY information resources

Search:

You are here: Home > Resources > Links index > Software

Links navigation

• Links index

Software for people with disability

Note: The software links below have been compiled as an information resource and inclusion does not indicate endorsement by e-bility. When installing any new software precautions such as running a virus checker before use, closing all other programs, and ensuring you have a recent backup of your hard drive are recommended. If you are on a networked PC you should also consult your network administrator before installing software. Unfortunately, e-bility cannot accept responsibility for any damage, disruption and/or loss to your data or computer system that might occur while using any of these programs. Requests for technical support should be directed to the software developer.

AccessDOS

A Microsoft software utility that makes it easier for users with physical disabilities to use the keyboard and mouse. It is also a useful application for people with hearing impairment, who require visual feedback rather than sounds. Features include: StickyKeys, SlowKeys, RepeatKeys, BounceKeys, MouseKeys, ToggleKey, SerialKeys, SoundSentry and TimeOut. These can be used alone or in combination to best suit a user's needs and environment. The features can also be customized to create a personalized desktop that allows individuals to be their most productive. In addition, once the AccessDOS has been installed, an individual requiring a feature can access it without special assistance. When all features are turned off an individual who does not require the functionality should not notice that AccessDOS is installed.

Access Gateway

An online "browser within a browser" providing more control over how websites are displayed (regardless of which browser you are using). The gateway's main purpose is to make the Web easier to access for people with a print disability (such as users with low vision or dyslexia). It also translates Web pages into other languages and displays them as an image, so they can be displayed when the encodings are not supported by the user's browser.

Aloud4ie

This product by Madoogali is a handy download that adds speech synthesis capabilities to Internet Explorer. Basically, the program reads text on Web pages, so you can surf the Web while you multitask on the computer. Aloud4ie works as an unobtrusive toolbar on the browser, offering basic play and pause controls. By default, Aloud4ie automatically reads every line of text on a Web page. You can also turn this option off and have the program read only the text that you've highlighted. This is a far better option for listening to news articles and other similar content. It can also be configured to speak many common languages and includes options for adjusting speed, volume and pitch for any language.

Another Lens

Displays a magnified view of the area of the mouse cursor.

APAR-C

Allows delivery of the APAR (Assessment of Phonological Awareness and Reading) from a computer using either a scan-switch (such as the Discover Switch), or conventional mouse/keyboard, or touchscreen. Also contains all the score sheets and stimulus cards.

Black Window

Enhances visibility and reduces distractibility of other programs. Fills the screen with a black background which remains underneath other programs. Mininmize or close the program to restore normal Windows appearance.

BrailleSurf

An Internet browser for users with vision impairment, which allows a simplified reading of the information available on the Web. BrailleSurf shows this information in a text form. This information can then be displayed on a braille bar, or it can be spoken out by a speech synthesiser. The text can also be presented on the screen for people with low vision, and used to provide a fast review of the accessibility level of a website for visually impaired people.

Bobby

An accessibility validation tool designed to help web page authors identify and repair barriers to access by individuals with disabilities.

Camera mouse

Camera Mouse is a program that allows users to control the mouse pointer on a computer screen using head movement. It is designed to help people who cannot move their hands to control a mouse but who can voluntarily move their head. To use Camera Mouse you need a higher-end USB webcam and a Windows Vista or XP computer. The Camera Mouse software is free.

Clip & Talk

A speech add-on utility for MS-Windows, Clip & Talk speech enables existing Windows applications, such as email readers, Web browsers, word processors, spread sheet programs ... and more. The software takes text from other Windows applications through Clipboard and produces speech. Talk and control is accessed directly from client programs using hot keys. Functions include adjustments for pitch and speech rate and a dictionary editor tool for customizing pronunciations.

Click-N-Type

An on-screen virtual keyboard designed for people unable to type using a standard computer keyboard. Requires mouse control, trackball or other pointing device. The software can send keystrokes to virtually any Windows application or DOS application that can run within a window.

Clip Text

This program stores bits of text that you commonly need (such as addresses) and pastes them directly into whatever application you are using at the text cursor position. It only requires two key presses (or three key presses in the Win3.1 version) to get the program running and get the text into your document!

CobShell Plus

Provides an interface with 6 big buttons covering the whole screen. The buttons can be customised with meaningful images and audio files, and configured to open separate programs. A password feature has also been added, to prevent any users from changing the configuration.

Docsmartz PDF Conversion Software

PDF to Word conversion and Word to PDF conversion. Free trial downloads available for evaluation.

eMacSpeek

A powerful audio desktop that provides a speech interface for Linux users with a vision impairment. By seamlessly blending all aspects of the Internet such as Web surfing and messaging, Emacspeak speech enables local and remote information via a consistent and well-integrated user interface.

eLr Enhancing Internet Access

The EIA system is a specialised Web browser, suitable for touchscreen systems, with fully integrated Web awareness, assessment and training modules. It is designed for Internet training and access for people with disabilities and other special needs.

e-Speaking

An easy and affordable software solution enabling users to control their computer, dictate emails and letters, and have the computer read documents back.

Festival Speech Synthesis System

Festival is a general multi-lingual speech synthesis system developed at CSTR. It offers a full text to speech system with various APIs, as well an environment for development and research of speech synthesis techniques. Version 1.4.3 (January 2003) is the most recent version available free for unrestricted use.

Genie Talking Web Browser

The Genie who Reads and Speaks is a talking web browser. It will read any web page or you can highlight a chosen text and it will read it for you with the help of a little blue Genie. The software also has a small MP3 player installed and allows you to search 12 search engines as well as individual search's.

Help Read

This program uses a text-to-speech synthesizer and can read text files such as web pages, e-books, and text in the windows clipboard. It was developed by the Hawaii Education Literacy Project (HELP) and is distributed freely over the Internet. The software includes settings for pitch, volume and speed as well as single word highlighting.

IE Page Reader Bar

The Internet Explorer (IE) Page-Reader Bar is a text-to-speech application designed to give your browser a human-sounding voice so that it can read arbitrary text to you from Web pages. Includes a choice of sentence, expanding or single word text selection.

iZoom

A free professional grade screen magnifier and reader from Issist.

LAT Kids: LifeShare Assistive Technology Project

LAT Kids develops software and makes it available free of charge to anyone who finds it useful, including two augmentative communications products - Speak for Yourself and IAM.

Linux Accessibility

Information about Unix and Linux Shareware and Freeware, including: visual cursor enhancers, braille and sign language utilities, optical character recognition (OCR), keyboard modifications, magnification, on-screen keyboards, voice input and output applications.

LisaCOMM

Communication software developed for people with limited mobility. LisaCOMM offers a switch-adapted mouse that interfaces easily with most special switches (eg foot switches, camera based switches, string switches, sip/puff switches) without needing to change the computer hardware. Features include adjustable scanning option, different voices/user modes and customisable menus.

Literacy Online

Mirror of Literacy Online web site. This is the full (except for external links) set of files (.htm/.js/.css/.gif/.jpg) that constitute the Literacy Online web site.

Microsoft Accessibility

Information on Microsoft's accessibility options, including downloads and tutorials.

MultiMail

An email program with many accessibility features.

MultiWeb

A web browser that incorporates disability specific technology suitable for computer users with multiple disabilities. It is designed to be used without other adaptive software and includes a speech engine, text enlargement, and scanning for switch devices.

Narrator

Narrator is a text-to-speech utility that ships with Windows. It reads the contents of the active window, menu options, or the text you have typed. Narrator is designed to work with Notepad, Wordpad, Control Panel programs, Internet Explorer, the Windows desktop, and Windows setup.

Project: Possibility

A nonprofit, community service project committed to creating innovative open source enabling software for the people with disability, including eduational tools, word prediction, music in screen-reader friendly format and accessible currency converter.

Read-e PLUS

Dyslexia friendly e-reader and speech web browser, including spell checker, pop-up suppression (to stop adverts), multi-sensory user interfact and customisation (font size, voices, language, highlight options, colours, reading speed etc). Free for home use.

Read Please

A free text-to-speech reader designed to make web sites and email more accessible to those with reading difficulties, such as dyslexia, by reading content aloud.

SayIT

SayIT is an integrated suite of software available in four components: scanner, orator, mouse and speech synthesiser. The software is designed to assist anyone who is losing or who has lost the power of speech, as well as people with limited fine motor skills and muscle coordination in their fingers and hands.

SENIT

Special needs educational IT resources including free software downlaods, tips, tutorials and equipment ideas.

SENSwitcher

An online switch enabled application which targets Internet computer training (ICT) skills from purely experiential through cause and effect, switch building, timed activation, targeting and row scanning. This software is designed to help teach early ICT skills to people with profound and multiple learning difficulties, those who need to develop skills with assistive input devices and very young children new to computers. It is accompanied by teachers notes, assessment records, developmental skills progression models and small step checklists.

Simply Web 2000

A speech friendly, speech enabled accessible web browser with advanced features that allow easy navigation of complex pages by people with vision impairment.

Super Magnify

Magnifies portions of your screen up to 15 times. With special interpolation routine to maintain detail when magnifying.

Talking desktop

Talking and listening software that allows voice control of the computer. Features include voice email, voice browser and word processing activities using dictation.

Talking Keyboard

Free software that 'enlivens' your keyboard by telling the user what key has been pressed. Using the software controls in its main window, you can attach built-in or user-defined WAV sounds to specific keyboard events. This product will helpful as a learning resource for kids and for people with vision impairments.

Text Aloud

Converts any text into voice and even to MP3. TextAloud resides in your Windows tray, always ready to read text aloud from your e-mail, Web pages, and documents on your computer or portable MP3 player. You can listen immediately, or save it as a WAV or MP3 file that you can listen to at your convenience. TextAloud supports additional speech engines for other languages. It includes support for TXT files of unlimited size, so you can bring large e-books in as one article. It allows you to create 10 minutes of spoken audio in as little as 12 seconds. Also available, speech software options that offer personalised services, such as News Aloud, Weather Aloud, Stocks Aloud, Groups Aloud.

Text Reader (TR) BookShelf

Bookshelf takes plain text (TXT) files and displays the contents as if they were printed in a book. You get two pages (or one if you wish) side by side with generous margins and a clean, uncluttered interface. You can click on the pages to turn them. It has a wide choice of page styles and convenient navigation system. Bookshelf easily allows you to come back to read the books and to open them in the place where you have stopped. The software allows you to scroll pages and read texts aloud, as well as edit books, insert pictures, sounds etc. Its layout is easier to follow (using features as indented paragraphs) and TR Dictionary can also be used.

Text Reader (TR) Dictionary

This software is an add-on the Internet Explorer and converts the browser into a speaking dictionary. You can see the explanation of a word in the pop-up hint, and hear and read the pronunciation of the word. You can choose from lots of dictionaries (English, German, French, Italian etc). Vocabulary drills provide three efficient tests that will help you memorise new words in the shortest possible time, and you can read text files and web-pages on and off-line.

Text-To-Speech Software

This software reads text words to you with a choice of voices. The text words may be on the screen, in the clipboard, from a text file or other source. It also supports converting text to audio formats using MP3 or WAV. It uses 'Text to Speech' technology to synthesize natural sounding speech from ordinary text. It can also be used to create MP3 files from your email, news articles, any text you want, download to your portable MP3 player and listen to it later.

Thinking Man's Dictionary

This program is an ideal pop-up utility for when the right word is eluding you. It includes a powerful thesaurus and a dictionary which can check the spelling of individual words as well as provide you with a list of similarly spelt words. The package includes a version of the program which automatically links to the popular freeware dictionary WordWeb (see below), for looking-up definitions of words.

Type Sign Writer

Learn to speak in sign language, just type in the key you want and a picture view of that letter will be shown.

Web Ferret

WebFerret lets you search the web quickly and thoroughly by instantly submitting your search query to multiple search engines, and displaying all of the results in a single concise window. Results can be sorted by page Name, Address, Source or Abstract. You can also choose the search engines to query, the number of results to return, and you can enable features like duplicate removal or keyword suggestions, to help you find better results.

Web Talkster

This software application gives you the option of having the browser "talk" the text content of a web page, speak the clipboard content or the selected text. It "talks" all formats of web sites excep a few (about 8%) exotic programming formats and frame configurations.

Wemedia Talking Browser

The WeMedia Talking Browser becomes the actual browser through which anyone can surf the Internet. Complete with large buttons and keystroke commands for easy navigation, the browser 'speaks' the text you select within the browser.

WordCue

Provides help in reading words, links and phrases on web pages. By selecting a word or phrase which is difficult to read, a range of cues are provided directly within the Browser.

Word Talk

WordTalk is a free plug-in developed for use with all versions of Microsoft Word (from Word 97 upwards), which can help people with reading difficulties use Microsoft Word more effectively. It will speak the text of the document and will highlight it as it goes. It contains a talking dictionary to help decide which word spelling is most appropriate. It sits neatly in your toolbar and is highly configurable, allowing you to adjust the highlight colours, the voice and the speed of the speech.

Word Web

A comprehensive English thesaurus and dictionary, that can be used to look up definitions of words and check spelling from within most programs.

Zoom

This is a screen enlargement utility. It displays a floating window that shows an enlarged view of the area around the cursor.

• Next links
• Previous links
• Top of page