These supports are available on Chromebooks and in the Google Chrome browser. They are available through the Chrome Web Store.
Visit Google Accessibility Website for information on accessibility features for Google and its producs.
Text-to-Speech (TTS) uses a computer to convert online text into spoken voice output, which “reads” aloud to a student with a reading disability, dyslexia, or document reading disabilities. TTS allows a student to independently select and change the level of reading support and to read single words, passages, or whole documents.
All the Chrome extensions shown below will read back text in web pages, Google Docs, and PDFs.
This is a free extension that has a few in app purchases.
This extension from TextHelp has a 30 day free trial for students. Teachers can receive a free premium license. It is a resource that some schools have purchased as it offers tools for both reading and writing.
This is a free extension. It opens PDF in Google Drive and the web.
Reads aloud and provides dynamic text leveling. This is a purchased app from Don Johnston.
Using a dictionary to enhance written assignments and reading comprehension, particularly for a student that struggles with comprehension, vocabulary or spelling.
With this extension, you can:
Double-click any word to view its definition in a small pop-up bubble.
View the complete definition of any word or phrase using the toolbar dictionary.
Store a history of words you've looked up, so you can practice them later.
View synonyms and antonyms by button in toolbar, right-click or by word selection on any page. The extension allows you to use:
Toolbar button - to search and view synonyms and antonyms
Shortcut in context menu (select a word and right-click) - open PowerThesaurus.org
Icon or results panel with synonyms/antonyms on term selection. Just select any word on any page and Voila! You have your synonyms and antonyms right there!
Enlarging images or text. Providing focus on the text or images by magnification.
Zoom in or out on web content using the zoom button and mouse scroll wheel for more comfortable reading.
Allows the student to better focus on text.
Screen Mask
Highlighting
Line Focus
Screen Mask is website or web document reading tool that follows your mouse or touch to help eliminate page distractions so that you can focus on reading one passage at a time.
Simplify the material on the screen for fewer distractions.
Puts Google Chrome into read mode for a pleasant reading experience.
Just click on the glasses icon in the address bar, the current page will turn into a nice-to-read black on white page allowing you to read without forcing your eyes. Ads and Flash animations are also removed while on read-mode. Click the icon again and everything will go back to normal.
Pull out your own technology and see if you can find these supports. You may already be using some of them to help you in your own life. You can look at the handouts on this page for suggested tools and where to find them.
Enlarge the text on your device
Find the tool that will read what you want to hear on your device.
Look up the meaning of a word
Create a text message using the speech recognition software in your device.
Does your email or your text have Word Prediction?
How does your technology help you know when something is misspelled?