This page is dedicated to researching and organizing free or low cost assistive technologies that are applicable to all college students.   It is our hope is that you can find what you need to meet your individualized learning needs for free or at a low cost. You may find that many of tools that you need are already at your fingertips 

Tools at Your Fingertips

Did you know that every Mac and Windows computer already comes standard with assistive technologies that help people with disabilities for hearing, vision, learning and literacy, and physical, motor skills?  Please check these out before you go buying expensive software you do not need.  Many times these tools will do the trick.

Reading

VoiceOver

• VoiceOver is a built-in screen reader available on Mac computers, iPhone and iPad
• Allows the device to read out loud icons, menus and web articles making it easier for the blind and those with low-vision to use a computer

 Central Access Reader (CAR)

• CAR reads Word docs and pasted text
• Has intuitive interface
• Reads math equations
• Keyboard shortcuts for all common tasks
• Can export files to HTML and MP3
• Compatible with Windows and MAC
• Learn more about CAR

 Balabolka

• Converts any written text such as MS Word, PDF files, e-books and many more file types into spoken words
• Uses any voice on your operating system
• Text can be saved to MP3, WAV, etc
• Compatible Windows
• Learn more about Balabolka

 Voice Dream Reader

• Listen to PDF and Word documents, eBooks, articles, and Web pages anywhere with offline text-to-speech
• Built-in integration with Dropbox, Bookshare, Pocket, Instapaper, and Gutenberg makes it easy to import read material
• Sophisticated controls, synchronized word highlighting and autoscrolling
• Compatible with iPad, iPhone
• Learn more about Voice Dream Reader

 GhostReader

• Converts any written text such as MS Word, webpage, PDF files, and emails into spoken words
• Can modify the pronunciation of words
• Can read with zoom and word highlighting
• Converts text files to audio
• Can auto-detect languages in one text
• Compatible with the Mac
• Learn more about GhostReader

 BeeLine Reader

• BeeLine uses a color gradient to guide your eyes from the end of one line to the beginning of the next
• Compatible with iPad, iPhone, Windows, Mac
• Learn more about BeeLine Reader

Writing

 Ginger

• Corrects spelling and grammar errors
• Suggests how to rephrase sentences
• Compatible with Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android
• Learn more about Ginger

 Voice Dream Writer

• Text-to-speech feature, proofreading reduces mistakes Find the correct words by a phonetic search and meaning
• Compatible with  iPhone, iPad
• Learn more about Voice Dream

Grammarly

• Checks over 250 grammar rules including everything from misplaced modifiers to commas splices
• Suggests better words for overused words
• Checks for contextual spelling mistakes
• Compatible with Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android
• Learn more and sign up for Grammarly

After the Deadline

• When checking spelling it will look at context and uses artificial intelligence to make recommendations
• Detects misused words
• It checks the style of your writing
• Compatible with Windows
• Learn more about After the Deadline

 WordWeb

• Runs in the background so you can easily look up words in any program.
• It includes synonyms, root words, audio pronunciations
• Compatible with Windows, iPad, iPhone   
• Learn more about  WordWeb

Vision

 AccessNote

• Official notetaker from the American Foundation for the Blind
• Two powerful search features for finding text globally across all notes and within a note.
• Compatible with iPhone, iPad
• Learn more about AccessNote

Webanywhere

Open source screen reader for the web

• No software to install works on any computer, even locked down public computer
• Works best with Firefox
• Only a few simple keyboard commands to learn and you are on the go and reading webpages
• Learn  more about Webanywhere

 NVDA

• Open Source Screen Reader
• Compatible with Windows
• Learn more about NVDA

Hearing

 Sign 4 Me - A Signed English Translator

• Tool for learning sign language
• Provides sign language instruction in 3D
• Can translate full sentences
• Zoom and rotate characters to give you the best vantage point for every sign
• Compatible with iPhone, iPad
• Learn more about Sign 4 Me

Fine Motor/Dexterity

 Fleksy

• Fleksy keyboard has more natural gestures with just a swipe of your finger, you can easily add space and delete words
• Has more ways to custom the keyboard to meet your needs
• No need to type perfectly it will automatically detect your text
• Compatible with iPhone, iPad
• Learn more about Fleksy

Siri

• Built right into your iPhone, iPad devices
• Can type notes, emails, etc.
• Can place calls, schedule meetings and more
• Integrates with voice over so you can hear the answer read out load
• Learn more about Siri

 Dragon

• Easy to use voice recognition
• Just tap and dictate
• Compatible with iPhone, iPad
• Learn more about Dragon

 AudioNote

• Syncs your text or handwritten note with what is spoken
• Highlights notes during playback
• Compatible with iPhone, iPad,Mac, Windows
• Learn more about AudioNote

 Notability

• Handwrite, type and sketch and sync notes with audio
• Outlines and text boxes help you quickly capture and organize ideas.
• Import and  annotate PDF’s
• Learn more about Notability

 Awesome Note

• All in on one organizer combine notes and to do lists
• Has calendar so you can add dates assigments are due
• Add flexibity to the way you view notes and tasks
• Compatible with iPhone, iPad
• Learn more about Awesome Note

Study Skills

 Citation Machine

•  Online resource to generate citations in MLA,APA, etc.
• Learn more about Citation Machine

 iStudiez Pro

• Quick overview of your daily schedule and tasks
• All homework assignments in one place
• Stay better organize
• Compatible with iPhone, iPad,Mac, Windows
• Learn more about iStudiez Pro

 iStudiez Pro

• Quick overview of schedule and tasks
• Can easily manage course, course details locations and instructors info
• Compatible with iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows
• Learn more about iStudiez Pro

 Self Control

• Block access to distracting websites, emails, etc
• Has self-timer  feature that block access to these sites
• Compatible with Mac
• Learn more about Self-Control

 Class Organizer

• Manage homework and exam dates
• Store and calculate grades
• Take notes while recording
• Compatible with iPhone, iPad
• Learn more about Class Organizer

Annotations and Readers

 iAnnotate PDF

• Document reader
• Annotate documents
• Compatible with iPhone, iPad, Android
• Learn more about iAnnotate PDF

 GoodReader

• Document reader that virtually reads books, movies, amps, etc
• Easily annotate documents
• Compatible with iPhone, iPad
• Learn more about GoodReader

 PDF Expert

• Read documents
• Fill out PDFs
• Highlight and add notes
• Compatible with iPhone, iPad
• Learn more about PDF Expert

Math/Science

 Khan Academy

• Online tool thousands of instructional math videos, exercises
• Personalized learning platform
• Learn at your own place
• Learn more about  and try it out go to Khan Academy

 HippoCampus

• Online resource for Math along with other subjects
• Free videos in 13 subject areas
• Learn more about HippoCampus

 Wolfram Alpha

•  A free open source tool, allows users to submit mathematical and computation queries through a text field
•  The program computes answers displays relevant visualizations that make the answers easy to comprehend
•  Learn more about Wolfram Alpha