Free & Low-Cost Assistive Tech Resources
Categories
Screen Readers
NVDA Screen Reader
Free
- For Windows
- NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) is an open source screen reader
- Allows users who are blind or have low vision to access computers running windows
- Has ability to run entirely from USB drive with no installation
- Link to website: NV Access
Voiceover
Free
- For Mac and iOS
- Built-in screen reader
- Allows complete control over the computer without needing to see the screen
- Link to information: Apple Accessibility
Thunder Screen Reader
Free
- For Windows
- Allows users who are blind or have low vision to access computers running Windows
- Can be installed in several different languages
- Link to download: Thunder Screenreader
Reading
Open Dyslexic Font
Free
- Open source font created to increase readability for readers with dyslexia
- Free for commercial and personal use
- Link to website: OpenDyslexic
Microsoft Reader
Microsoft Word Built-In Feature
- For Windows and Mac
- Text-to-speech reader embedded in Word
- Link to instructions: Microsoft website
Bookshare
Available to students with approved accommodations
- Web-based
- Library of digital books in accessible formats
- Membership is free with approved accommodation (contact Disability Support Services for assistance)
- Books are available in the following formats: Daisy, BRF, MP3, Bookshare WebReader (customized reading tool for members)
- Link to website: Bookshare
Google Dictionary
Free
- Google Chrome Extension
- View definitions easily as you browse the web
- Double-click any word to view its definition in a small pop-up bubble
- Includes audio pronunciation
- Link to extension: Chrome Web Store
Read & Write
Available to Mines Students and Faculty
- For Windows, Mac, Google Chrome
- Simple to use text-to-speech reader with Canvas integration
- Reads PDFs, Bookshare files, and websites out loud
- Built-in study tools and other features
- Link for more information: Read & Write at Mines
Natural Reader
Free
- For Windows and Mac
- Text-to-speech reader
- Converts written text (PDF, Microsoft Word, emails, etc.) into spoken language
- Link to website: Natural Reader
Learning Ally
$119 per year
- For Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Android, iOS
- Audio books
- Access to nearly 80,000 titles, including world’s largest library of audio textbooks
- Link to website: Learning Ally
Kurzweil 3000
Free Trial available
- Desktop app or web-based
- Text-to-speech reader
- Long-term membership is free with approved accommodation (contact Disability Support Services for assistance)
- Link to free trial: Kurzweil 3000
Central Access Reader
Free
- For Windows and Mac
- Text-to-speech application designed specifically for people with print-related disabilities
- Reads Microsoft Word, PDFs, math and logic equations
- Flexible MP3 output
- Link to download: Central Access Reader
Adobe Reader (Read out loud feature)
Free
- For Windows and Mac
- Text-to-speech tool that reads PDFs out loud
- Link to instructions: Accessibility Features
- Link to software: Adobe Reader
Writing & Note-Taking
Dictation Feature
Free
- For Mac and iOS
- Mac devices have a built-in dictation feature
- Say out loud what you want to write and it will convert your words into text
- Link to instructions for Mac: Apple Support
- Link to instructions for iPhone and iPad: Mac World
Ideament
Free
- For Mac
- Lets you easily draw a diagram – mind map, concept map, or flow chart – and convert it to a text outline, and vice versa
- Ideal for brainstorming new ideas, illustrating concepts, making lists and outlines, planning presentations, creating organizational charts, and more
- Link to download: App Store
WordQ
Free trial available
- For Windows and Mac
- Quillsoft has an Extended Access Request form for a trial to use for remote work or online learning. Once you fill out the form, they’ll email you with your trial information within 24 hours
- Link to website: Quillsoft
Audio Note
$4.99
- For Windows, Mac, Google Play, and iOS
- Synchronized note-taking and audio-recording
- Tap Notes to seek in the audio, taking you instantly to what you want to hear
- Automatic audio amp for recording in large classrooms
- Must have instructor permission or be approved for permission to audio-record lectures as an accommodation
- Link to download: Luminant Software
Notability
$7.99
- For iOS
- Create, share, and manage notes
- Combines handwriting, typing, audio recordings, and photos so you can create notes that fit your needs
- Link to website: Notability
Fleksy
Free
- For iOS and Android
- Text input system that allows you to quickly and easily type on touch screen phones and tablets
- Allows users to type text on the familiar keyboard layout, by tapping on the screen and swiping
- Powerful auto-correct feature that can detect what you meant to enter even if multiple characters are incorrect
- Link to website: Fleksy
Voice Note II - Speech to Text
Free
- For Google Chrome
- Say out loud what you want to write and it will convert your words into text
- Have the option to speak punctuation or use the punctuation buttons to insert them
- Link to download: Chrome Web Store
Ginger
Free
- For Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
- Robust spelling and grammar checker
- Will make suggestions for rephrasing sentences
- Can help ensure you are using the word and the correct spelling (e.g., there/their/they’re)
- Link to download: Ginger Software
Study Tools
Khan Academy
Free
- Collection of micro lectures and tutorials teaching mathematics, history, healthcare, finance, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, economics, cosmology, organic chemistry, American civics, art history, microeconomics, and computer science
- Link to website: Khan Academy
Coffitivity
Free
- For Android, Mac, and online resource
- Recreates the ambient sounds of a café to boost your creativity and help you work better
- Link to website: Coffitivity
Evernote
Free
- For Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Android, iOS
- Create or upload notes, to-do lists, and images that are synced across all of your devices
- Plus and Premium versions with additional features available
- Link to website: Evernote
Writepad
$5
- For Android and iOS
- Handwriting recognition software that converts your own handdwriting to text
- Built-in spellchecker and dictionary
Quizlet
Free
- Online resource
- Create powerful learning tolls, like interactive games, flashcards, and practice tests
- Mobile version also available
- Link to website: Quizlet
Popplet
Free
- Web-based
- Tool for mind mapping, brainstorming, and organizing ideas
- Can help people who think and learn visually
- Link to website: Popplet
Organization & Time Management
30/30
Free
- For Android and iOS
- Time management app based on the 30-minutes of work, 30-minutes of rest concept
- May be particularly helpful for students with ADHD or who struggle with time-management and focus
- Link to download: 30/30
Focus Booster
$3/month or $33/year
- For Windows and Mac
- Based on the Pomodoro time-management technique
- Get deep understanding of your work cycles and further improve productivity
- Link to website: Focus Booster
iStudiez Pro
$10.00
- For Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
- Award-winning student planner
- Allows you to manage and organize assignments, manage your calendar, set notifications for deadlines, and more
- Link to download: iStudiez Pro
Communication
iSpeech
Free
- For iOS
- Mobile app with open source text-to-speech
- Simply enter text and iSpeech will instantly read what you’ve written
Zoom
Free to Mines students
- For Windows, Mac, and web-based
- Accessibility features
- Closed captioning
- Automatic Transcripts
- Keyboard accessibility
My Talk Tools Mobile Lite
Free
- For iOS
- Allows users with communication difficulties to express their needs and desires to those around them
- Communicate through a variety of images, pictures, symbols, video and audio files including human voice
- Full version available for $99
Microsoft Teams
Free
- For Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
- Accessibility features of Microsoft Teams
- Using Microsoft Teams with a screen reader
- Using Live Captions in a Teams meeting
- Changing your viewing settings to high contrast or dark mode
Other
Dankam: Colorblind Fix
$2.99
- For iOS
- Designed to help people who are color blind distinguish between colors they normally could not
- Images can be taken in real-time from the devices camera and the image can be adjusted to make hues easier to detect and differentiate
- Link to download: App Store
AUD1
$6.99
- For iOS
- Assistive listening software
- Processes sound received by the microphone on your device in real-time, then delivers the processed sound via headphones
- Link to website: AUD1