Education today is more inclusive than it has ever been, more and more often students with certain learning disabilities are being implemented and included into general education classrooms. While it has been proven that students with disabilities are often able to effectively and meaningfully participate, they often need certain support and services in place to help them reach their full potential. One of these supports is assistant technology. Assistant technology is basically any tool or technology used in the classroom that is used to help support a student’s learning, this can range from graphic organizers to software programs. One example of a software program that’s abilities and supports are widespread, diverse, and easy to access is Microsoft immersive reader.

What is this program?

Microsoft Immersive reader is a software program that is now incorporated into most Microsoft products. It is designed to improve the accessibility of online communication such as reading, writing, listing, and speaking. It achieves this goal in four main ways. First is voice options which allows for texts and documents to be read aloud to the user while also letting them change the speed and type of the voice. The second is text options which let the user adjust the size of the text as well as the spacing and font of the text. The third is grammar tools which let the user separate words into their syllabus and highlight different grammar terms in the text. The last is called reading preferences which allows the user to highlight certain lines of text for better focus and translate individual words or the entire text into a different langue, it also provides definitions for each word including pictures to identify the word.

Who can it help?

These tools can be very useful for students with certain learning disabilities who struggle to read text or communicate online. Immersive readers can function as an accommodation by providing alternate means of reading or understanding information online. For example, a student who has dyslexia can use the text and grammar tools to make the text easier to decode and understand. Another example is a student who is blind can use the voice options to have the text read directly to them. besides disabilities, students who are still learning English or any langue can use the reading preferences to change translate the text and make it easier to read.

Its availability

Immersive reading provides many different options for customizability to fit the needs and wants of any viewer. Users can turn the program on and off whenever they want as well as the 4 separate tools. However, Immersive reader’s greatest benefit is that it is completely free for anyone. This means that anyone who wants to make use of the tool can regardless of if they have an IEP or not. This also means that those with IEPs can use this tool during times when other accessibility’s tools or programs are still being bought to prepared. Finally, this also means that schools can make use of the program regardless of if they buy Microsoft programs and products.

Thanks again for checking out blog number 4, If you want to read more check out my other blogs linked in my twitter and if you want to learn more about Microsoft reader check out this link here https://edudownloads.azureedge.net/msdownloads/Microsoft-Immersive-Reader-Quick-Guide.pdf