The Family Center on Technology and Disability
Assistive Technology Works
Voice Finger
There are so many accessible solutions for computer access that are now free and affordable. Microsoft and Apple have come a long way in recognizing that these features aren't just for individuals with disabilities but have a great deal of value for many people for many different reasons. Voice Finger is a program that was based on the Microsoft Windows Speech Recognition (WSR). WSR in the Windows Operating System was ...
Published: 2009 by Robson Cozendey , Reviewed: July 12, 2011
iComm
iComm is a great communication app that is available in both a free version and for a small fee from iTunes. It is designed in the free mode to have 9 categories of totally customizable objects that can be spoken with a real picture of the item. In the purchased app, there are 20 possible categories, audio files, and more storage. The unique featureof this app is that it is ...
Published: 2009 by Martin Brooks , Reviewed: September 17, 2010
Signing Time Launches iPhone App
Signing Times has produced two popular DVD's: "My First Signs" and "Playtime Signs." They have since combined these videos into an app that can be used on an iPhone, iTouch and iPad. The app contains a collection of 48 flashcards that focus on developing American Sign Language skills. Each flashcard can be viewed as a word or a video on how to make the sign. Users have the flexibility to ...
Published: 2009 by Signing Time , Reviewed: August 30, 2010
PointScribe Interactive Handwriting
This is an interactive handwriting program that can be used on a tablet PC, touch window PC or an interactive whiteboard. There is a free 30-day download available. There are built-in libraries with activities and handwriting games. An online video that can be watched on the home page shows different activities. Also included is a feature for data collection and report writing, which in this evidence-based environment is a critical ...
Published: 2009 by UltraThera Technologies, Inc. , Reviewed: August 30, 2010
Vizzle
Vizzle is web-based subscription software for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). There are three core areas - creation of the communication boards, teaching and filing system and a library in which to share the material. The creation area contains templates, colorful, understandable symbols, games, token systems, and "if...then" boards. Vizzle was created for visual learners based on research through Children's Hospital in Boston, John Hopkins, and Monarch Center for Autism. ...
Published: 2009 by Monarch Teaching Technologies, Inc. , Reviewed: May 12, 2010
Tap To Talk
TapToTalk is another app that has been created which is web based and turns a Nintendo DS, DSi or DS Lite into an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. Additionally, it works on iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Compatible with MAC, PC, Netbook and Tablet. This simple app can be modified by adding pictures and recorded voice files for individuals to use on their Nintendo gaming devices. Simply purchase a ...
Published: 2009 by TaptoTalk , Reviewed: August 30, 2010
iPhone and iPod Touch Apps for (Special) Education
This website is a listing of various applications (apps) that can be used with iPod and iPhone Touch systems. The list is in PDF format. There are different sections and each has lists of various apps that can be purchased through the iTunes Store. Each app is titled and has a description of what it contains plus the icon that would appear on the touch screen when purchased and downloaded. ...
Published: 2009 by Eric Sailers , Reviewed: March 26, 2010
Look2Learn
Look2Learn is augmentative communication software that works through the iPhone or iPod Touch. The software uses photographs to express wants and needs. 80 preloaded photographs in 6 different categories are available or the consumer can use personal photos. There are many options to customize for different age or cognitive levels, including the ability to hide some photos to reduce choices, to rename photos with a term that the consumer would ...
Published: 2009 by MDR, Inc. , Reviewed: January 19, 2010
Step Stones
AdastraSoft Step Stones is a natural voice-enabled augmentative tool for those who need a picture schedule for daily activities. They can be used on an iPhone or iPod. The site is preloaded with 14 activities or one can create their own. The product is a scrollable thumbnail view of an activity with an unlimited number of steps. Unique to this product is progress tracking which moves from left to right ...
Published: 2009 by AdastraSoft , Reviewed: February 24, 2010
Speak It
Speak It is a text to speech application for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Users can save favorite phrases to their custom soundboard, pause/resume speech playback, connect the phone to external speaker systems for announcements and use Speak It for phone calls. Speak It users can also copy and paste text into the Speak It screen and the application will read emails, PDFs, documents, webpages, and other text sources.
Published: 2009 by FutureApps, Inc. , Reviewed: February 24, 2010
Alexicom Tech
Alexicom Tech is an AAC delivery system via the Internet. Users of this system can use a computer, cell phone or other Internet-capable device. Simply put, the parent or teacher accesses language templates, pictures, icons etc. via the Alexicom Tech site, creates pages, and downloads them to a computer or handheld device, which may then be used anywhere. This requires a monthly subscription fee of between $34 and $40 for ...
Published: 2009 by Alexicom Tech LLC , Reviewed: March 10, 2010
KidZui
KidZui is a web browser for young children that allows plenty of safe browsing of parent-reviewed sites and some social networking. It was designed for use by 3-17 year olds, although realistically, is more suited for children to age 10. Children create their own 'Zuiis' (cartoon-like avatars), which become their login identities and can communicate with other Zui account users, sharing favorite sites, games, etc. No personal identification is ever ...
Published: 2009 by KidZui , Reviewed: March 04, 2010
PDFEqualizer
This is a product of Premier Assistive Technology which has a variety of affordable, easy-to-use products that are designed to make technology accessible to those who have mobility, visual, cognitive or learning disabilities. This particular product, PDFEqualizer, enables PDF files to become accessible to those with visual or learning disabilities by reading them aloud. It is much more powerful than Adobe Acrobat Reader™ because it “can open up any version ...
Published: 2009 by Premier Assistive Technology , Reviewed: March 04, 2009
Personal Trainer: Cooking
This software is part of the Personal Trainer series designed for the Nintendo DS game console. It includes interactive voice controls and offers users a database of recipes plus a timer, a calculator, and a grocery list in addition to the tutorials. Personal Trainer: Cooking is currently only available for Nintendo DS, and the DS can be used with an internet capable Wii console to download more recipes. Keep in ...
Published: 2009 by Nintendo , Reviewed: January 05, 2009
FX MathPack
FX MathPack is a software package that enables secondary math teachers and students to create/complete assignments using only the computer. There are 4 components to the software: FX Draw, FX Equation, FX Graph, and FX Statistics. The software is available by download, free for 30 days, and then either by fees for Perpetual License (@$300) or Annual Subscription (@$72). Free email tutorials are offered. Students with disabilities can request free ...
Published: 2009 by Efofex Software , Reviewed: June 22, 2009
Balabolka
There has been an increasing amount of text-to-speech software being developed and sold as more and more individuals with disabilities are requesting access to books and computers. Balabolka is text-to-speech software that is free, and all voices installed on a user‘s computer are available in this program. The program can read .doc, .rtf, .pdf, and HTML files. Customization of the font and background color is possible. The user can control ...
Published: 2009 by Sergey Kutasov and Ilya Morozov , Reviewed: August 07, 2009
Make items on the screen appear bigger (Magnifier)
This page within the Microsoft website describes the Magnifier tool that is part of Microsoft Windows 7 upgrade. While the information about Windows 7 is preliminary and subject to change, there is reason to believe that improvements will be worth the wait. The Ease of Access Center will still be the location to find tools that are useful for people who want to customize a computer to make it easier ...
Published: 2009 by Microsoft , Reviewed: August 25, 2009
AccessFirefox
Access Firefox is a website that explains some of the accessibility tools and features that are available for, and that comes preinstalled with, the free Firefox web browser. These are easily accessed resources for Mozilla Firefox users at all levels, including beginners. They include introductory information and guides for those who may be curious about Firefox and what exactly it has to offer. Firefox is downloadable from this site, and ...
Published: 2009 by Ken Saunders , Reviewed: July 09, 2009
iConverse
iConverse is yet another great application built for the Apple iTouch and iPhone. This application is a communication tool beginning with only six buttons displaying basic every day needs; it can be customized using real pictures or other customizable symbols. When selected, the icons display the picture/symbol and speak a message through the use of text to speech. This reviewer was impressed by the very reasonable cost of iConverse compared ...
Published: 2009 by Ian Walden , Reviewed: August 31, 2010
iPrompts
iPrompts is an application designed for use with iPhone and iPod Touch. It was developed by the parents and family of a 4 year old boy with autism. iPrompts is a prompting tool designed for individuals with developmental challenges and language impairments. Although it is aimed primarily at children, it can be used by anyone needing visual prompts to gain independence. The application provides Picture Schedules that can be sequenced ...
Published: 2009 by HandHold Adaptive LLC , Reviewed: August 04, 2009