Reading
Text-to-speech (TTS) lets you see text and hear it read aloud at the same time. To use this tool, you click on or highlight words, and the words are read by a computer-generated voice. TTS can be used with books, emails, web pages, and any digital text. It can also be used to convert text files into audio files.
Audiobooks and digital TTS books let you hear books read aloud. Some people like to read along with the book so they can see the words at the same time. Audiobooks are read by human voices. Digital TTS books are created with TTS, and use computer-generated voices.
Optical character recognition (OCR) reads aloud text from images and pictures. You can use OCR by taking photos of worksheets and paper documents, and even objects like street signs. They can also scan documents in. OCR can read words from pictures on web pages (such as image files, like JPG). Like TTS, OCR uses computer-generated voices.
Graphic organizers are visual representations, like diagrams and mind maps, of ideas and concepts. Students can use graphic organizers to take notes while reading, which can help with comprehension. Graphic organizers can be digital or pen and paper .
Annotation tools let you take notes and write comments while reading. This can make it easier to retain information. Annotation tools can be part of software or apps, or they can be traditional pens, markers, and sticky notes.
Display control allows you to control how text is displayed. When reading on a screen, they can change the font, font size, color, and spacing of text. You can also cover (or mask) parts of the screen to lessen distractions while reading. When reading on paper, you can use a simple adaptive tool, like a plastic reading guide. Some books use large print or special fonts. Or they may replace certain words with images.
Dictionaries and thesauri let you look up words you don’t understand when reading. A picture dictionary is a popular tool that uses images to define words. And a talking dictionary reads definitions aloud.
Snap&Read
Snap&Read is the Next-Generation reading tool for Google Chrome, iPad and more, that can cover the most diverse reading needs. It reads both accessible and inaccessible text aloud, it levels vocabulary, and it translates, delivering usage data to teachers who then can more easily assess students’ reading needs individually.
BookShare
Bookshare makes reading easier. People with dyslexia, blindness, cerebral palsy, and other reading barriers can customize their experience to suit their learning style and find virtually any book they need for school, work, or the joy of reading.
Assessment tools for students with limited speech intelligibility / AAC users
Phonics and Phonological Awareness Assessment for Individuals with Limited Speech Intelligibility