Reading
Why Assistive Technology for Reading?
Assistive Technology tools for reading can be very powerful.
Students with difficulties reading can benefit from text to speech readers, audiobooks, and digital text to speech books which all allow individuals to hear text read aloud. A variety of devices, including laptops/desktops, Chrome devices, and mobile devices/tablets offer assistive technology tools for reading. There are also low-tech AT options, such as highlighters and sticky notes that assist with reading.
Information taken from Understood.com https://goo.gl/rFTejt
Low Tech AT Tools for Reading
Easy and accessible low tech options:
Motor Aspect of Reading
Page holder/book holder
Magnets affixed to reading materials
Easels, large binders to raise the material
Visual Aspect of Reading
Text Guides -- colored or magnified strips to assist with visual tracking
Other Magnifiers, such as sheets or bars
Correction tape
Highlighting tape
Colored transparencies
Page flags
Post-it notes
Highlighting markers
List adapted from Boston Public Schools Assistive Technology Continuum of Low Tech and High Tech Tools
High Tech Options
Commonly Used Chrome Apps and Extensions
Available to all students in KUSD through district license
login using your @students.kusd.edu account!
Text reader that simplifies vocabulary, translates, reads inaccessible text (OCR) and captures and sites sources.
This is a powerful writing tool that reads aloud word prediction options and text that is written.
Available for Free
Removes ads and extraneous text to reduce visual competition
PDF reader with OCR and annotation.
Can upgrade for a fee.
Use Built-In Options!
Chromebook Accessibility - Select-To-Speak
Android Accessibility - Select to Speak
iPad / iPhone - Text-Speech Controller
Fire Tablets
Software
Clicker 8 - This is a robust set of software and apps with many features to support literacy including making books and books reading to individuals.
Natural Reader - This is a free software application that is a web reader or will convert text to mp3 files for on-the-go listening.
iOS Apps
Claro apps
Prizmo
Voice Dream Reader
Print Disability
This video explains who may need alternative formats for print and how those formats may be provided and supported.
Reading Accommodations and Assessment
These tools help to determine which accommodations are helpful for individuals with reading difficulties.
Alternative Texts
Individuals must qualify based upon their disability for membership, please consult with your special education teacher or AT provider.
Helpful Websites
