If you experience a broken link on any one of these pages, please let me know!
AAC Support
Access Support:
Audio Books (See Posting "Audio Books")
Cursors
There are many programs on-line to add variety and visual interest to cursors. Here are a few that might help with visual tracking:
E-Text (See posting "Electronic Text")
(Electronic Text) free books and text online - Electronic text provides access to digital materials for students with learning, sensory and physical disabilities. By having text on the computer, this allows for changing the appearance of the text and for using text-to-speech software so that the text can become audible. The Internet provides many sites for gathering e-text. Here are some links to explore e-text further (not just classic books… explore further!) There are many sites out there, this will provide you with a taste.
Graphics (See postings "Pictures to Support Learning" and "Boardmaker")
Pictures are used to support students with communication devices, to use with picture schedules, to support reading and comprehension and to enhance presentations. Here are a few ways to tap into graphics on the Internet (Also see Pictures to Support Learning posting):
Graphic Organizers
Math Support
There are endless amounts of math support on-line. These are some of my favorites. I hope you find them useful but do know that I have not included all the resources available. It is a start.(See Math Posting for more.)
On-Screen Keyboards
There is an On-Screen Keyboard bundled in with Windows XP. There are limitations however. If you need more than what it can offer, you might try one of these:
Productivity
Reading
Sign Language
These are a few of the sites available to help learn sign language. There are more out there… worth searching through.
Spelling Support
Symbol Support
Switch Support (see separate postings -to right- for more switch sites.)
Text-To-Speech
Tools
Visual Support
Word Prediction
Final Word
Don’t forget that each operating system comes with its own supports, “To enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential.” To learn more about the built-in solutions that is available on your computer:www.microsoft.com/enable/products/default.aspx for PC computers using Microsoft products. www.apple.com/accessibility for Macintosh users. A great site for Mac users regarding AT: http://atmac.org/
CNET is a wonderful site to use for free downloads. You can be comfortable in knowing that this source will not bring all those pesky bugs to your system. They have a listing of free educational downloads which includes many little goodies that will provide the extra support our students often need, such as WordWeb which is one of my all time favorites.
Final, Final Word… Other links for AT Freeware
If this didn’t give you what you need, try the following (these are great resources!):
Macintosh - trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/mac/macshare.html
Windows - trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/win95/win95sha.html
and microsoft.com/enable/guides/learning.aspx
For even more: http://adaptech.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/fandi_e.php
OATSoft is dedicated to improving Assistive Technology and computer accessibility through the power of Open Source development techniques. Open Source Assistive Technology Software (OATS) helps to make what you are looking for easy to find.
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