By Gabriella O’Neill

A recent influx in technology has brought a broad range of tools to better the classroom. Many students with disabilities struggle to do assignments because they have restrictions on what they can do. For example, a blind student would be unable to read a text for an assignment like other kids and would need assistance, but with newer tools, they won’t need as much help.

There are a variety of tools that can be used in the classroom to improve a student’s learning and increase accessibility. Tools consist of:

Audio/Speech tools:

• Speechify – creates audiobooks out of anything.
• SpeakIt! – speaks any text back.
• ListNote – takes notes as you speak.

Note-taking tools:

• AudioNote – notes can be taken during recording or after a recording is done.
• Evernote – organizes notes and can help visually prioritize tasks.
• WritePad – Transfers handwritten notes into digital text.

Reading Tools:

• Easy Reader – Makes reading easy for people with dyslexia, color blindness, and low vision.
• Learning Ally – Helps people with dyslexia and other reading deficits (requires subscription).

These are just a few of the countless examples provided to help students with disabilities do their work, many others are existing as well! With the use of tools, the learning of students with disabilities can improve greatly. There are a few issues with some of these tools; some tools may not translate things that well for students or require subscriptions.

Although I understand that companies need to make money to keep their websites/apps open, I feel that these should be a no-cost program for students who need it to learn. Some students might not be able to afford a program subscription each month or year. A good way to remedy this is that all schools should offer these programs through school accounts or the websites should do fundraisers to raise the money for their programs. This can help make it free for the students that need it.