Assistive Technology for Windows 10

Text to Speech

Natural Reader - Free text to speech software

Natural Reader reads aloud any selectable text in Windows programs such as on webpages, Word and PowerPoint. More details and video in link below (click on picture to view)

text to speech onlinetext to speech online

Free download from https://www.naturalreaders.com/software.html (the paid for versions are unnecessary).

Don't forget that you can use the excellent Scottish text to speech Voices, available from The Scottish Voice website (free for school and home use).

Immersive Reader

Microsoft's Immersive Reader is built into Office 365 apps. If your learners have reading difficulties, consider using Microsoft Word Online documents (through Glow) instead of Google Docs. You can post a link to the document from your OneDrive to Google Classroom.

Immersive Reader will read the text to you and has visual impairment and dyslexia friendly options, plus Boardmaker symbols and translation support, for learners with English as an Additional Language.

Immersive Reader is also built in to the latest version of the Microsoft Edge browser for the PC. You can also download an extension to use Immersive Reader on the Google Chrome browser here. To use Immersive Reader on websites, you select text, right click and choose Help Me Read This. Please note that this doesn't work on Google Docs.

Speech Recognition

There is a choice of two free speech recognition options on Windows computers for entering text instead of typing:

Google Voice Typing

There is an excellent free Voice Typing feature in Google Docs - please note this only works in the Chrome browser on Windows computers and not on other browsers such as Firefox and Microsoft Edge.

Microsoft Word Online: Dictation

The online version of Word in Office 365 (available through your Glow login) also has free Dictation facility. It is also in the latest version of the desktop Microsoft Office suite of programs, which staff and pupils with a Glow login can download for free! from the Glow App Library - search for Office and select Download Office Now.

Voice recording

Recording short audio messages is a great way to evidence learning, without writing or typing. It is really useful for short answers, such as quizzes and reading comprehension activities. It is particularly suitable for pupils with dyslexia and motor control difficulties.

PowerPoint

You can use the voice recording function in PowerPoint as an alternative to writing short answers to questions.

The recording function is only in the desktop version of the program at present, but once recorded you can listen to the recordings in the online version. Remember, all staff and pupils can download the latest version of Microsoft Office, which includes PowerPoint, for free! from the Glow App Library - search for Office and select Download Office Now.

Book Creator

Book Creator is an easy way to add voice recordings to accompany text, pictures etc. It is available as an iPad / Android app (free and paid for versions) or on the website http://app.bookcreator.com (free sign up for 40 books). The web version doesn't need any apps installed (you sign in with your stirlingschools.net email and password) so might be easier for home use and it works on PCs, Chromebooks and iPads.

To add a voice note, click the blue plus button, click the media tab and select record, then follow the on-screen instructions.

SeeSaw

If you are using SeeSaw, there is a built in voice and screen recorder. First, click the Add Response button, then click or tap the microphone button in the toolbar on the left hand side and follow the on-screen instructions.

Talk and Comment Chrome extension

Installing this extension (approved for staff and pupil use on stirlingschools.net accounts) on the Chrome browser on a Windows PC or laptop, or on your Chromebook, or will let you click on a microphone icon and save a voice note into various applications, including Google Classroom and Google Docs.

Windows settings for visual impaired users

CALL Scotland guide to accessibility features in Windows 10 for users with a visual impairment.

Supporting pupils with hearing impairment

Subtitling live lessons

(useful for all pupils, especially learners with EAL and for modern languages)

The easiest way to do it is to use Google Slides or PowerPoint presentations and as the teacher talks through, their voice will be automatically transcribed at the bottom of the screen. As it is automatic, there will be a few errors but it is generally very good.

Add automatic subtitles to Google Slides

To add subtitles, click on Present then click Captions on the presenter toolbar. The video below gives more information.

Add automatic subtitles to PowerPoint slide shows

If staff prefer to use Powerpoint, subtitling is being added to PowerPoint as well but you need the latest desktop version (staff can download it free from the Glow App Library - search for Office and select Download Office Now) or to use the Online version in Glow (upload the file to OneDrive and open from there, or create it within OneDrive or PowerPoint Online).

In the slide show tab, tick use subtitles then start the presentation as normal.