When assigned to research accessibility tools I went straight to the our school’s website link to tools we are able to use. It is called the “Accessibility Toolbox”, here is a list of some that I found interesting and a little bit about the tools themself.

1) Rocketbook Beacons

This tool is simple but really useful as it gives you the ability to transform a whiteboard into a smartboard. What I mean by that is it allows students to take pictures of whiteboard notes written by a professor and get it straight to their computer. This is a really helpful tool for people who struggle to keep up with writing notes and following along at the same time. Especially when a teacher is creating diverse graphs on the board that may be hard to translate onto paper without some artistic skills. All in all this is a great tool that everyone should be aware of!

2) Glean

Glean is another awesome tool for note-taking. It records lectures, meetings, a study group session, anything you can think of it will record and highlight key points and allow you to annotate as well. This is a great option for students who prefer to just listen rather than try to take notes at the same time. I think being able to revisit the topics that you were able to listen to in class is an awesome form of studying and can be really beneficial.

3) C-Pen Reader

The C-Pen Reader is a device used to read text aloud, and is able to in English, French, and Spanish. This can be ideal for students who struggle with dyslexia or just find reading difficult. Helping students focus on the material and not stress on the reading. This device is handheld and can easily be used in a classroom setting. I found this really interesting and know people who really could have benefitted from this tool.

4) Read&Write

Read&Write is a toolbar that helps students with writing, reading, and proofreading. It is available to students at no cost which is rare as many websites require you to create an account and try a monthly subscription. This tool can provide definitions to words that students find tricky. Basically, it is a reading and writing assistant at the tip of your fingers. Very useful!

5) JAWS (Job Access With Speech)

This tool is a screen recorder for those who are visually impaired. It translates on-screen text into speech or Braille, allowing students to navigate their screens without having to actually see their screens. JAWS offers visually impaired students the ability to do any research or work with ease. I found this one the most interesting for sure!

6) Dolphin Easy Reader

Dolphin Easy Reader is very similar to the previous ones I listed with a combination of all the features. It’s target audience is people who stuggle with impaired vision from dyslexia to blindness. It offers a library of books and material that can be tailored to ones needs. This app can make reading content more enjoyable keep them encouraged to keep learning.

7) Dragon NatruallySpeaking

This awesome tool allows students to speak right into their devices and the tool types whatever they say. This is a great option for students with physical disabilities that may make typing or writing difficult. I think this tool is really awesome and encourages productivity enabling students to hone in on ideas and not waste time worrying about editing. There are lots of tools you can use to polish your writing after using a tool like Dragon NaturallySpeaking.