When learning and using online tools, people will need accessibility tools. It is inevitable. Students may have disabilities, an injury, or something not so serious like myself. For example, I have really poor eyesight, so some of these tools can potentially help me while doing some work.

Google Chrome: Low Vision Support

In their browser, Google gives some options for people with poor eyesight. As I said prior, I have bad eyesight, so I appreciate features like this and companies making an effort to help.

Some of the feature they include are

• Full Page Zoom
• Adjusting Font Face and Size

Both of these features are used in the settings on the Chrome browser. The full page zoom can be customized to whatever percentage you like. Sometimes when reading items for school, I may turn it up to 125% because it makes it easier to read. If this was not an option, it would be a headache to read items regularly.

Adjusting the font is also really useful, because some may find the default font could be difficult to read. It may just be that other fonts are easier for some individuals. Either way, it is important to have for those that need it to read without any trouble.

Braille Devices with Chromebook

Google allows braille devices to connect to Chromebooks and be used seamlessly for individuals that need it. You can plus it indirectly through the USB port, or you can pair it through Bluetooth.

I think an important feature for this is, Google allows commands to be made through the braille keyboard. Individuals who own one of these are more familiar with their keyboard. Allowing this makes them feel comfortable doing their work on a laptop.

Reverso

This is an extension for translating, but I think it is more unique than other extensions or apps I have come across. It allows users to translate words/sentences while browsing and when even watching movies/videos. This is an AI powered tool.

You just highlight the word or text, and it translates it for you. This is what makes it stand out to me. In my experience of using other translating programs, I would switch to another tab, copy and text the words, and then get my translation. This makes it so simple and effective. Students would benefit from installing this a lot. Especially the students that are not fluent in English.

Volume Master

This is an extension to have complete control of any tab playing audio in Google Chrome. That primary feature is that it boosts volume up to 600%!. You can boost certain aspects like the bass or voices. This is great for students with hearing issues and prefer audio to be a little louder. Watching videos, even at 100%, could be difficult for them. This is incredibly useful.

LanguageTool

I have this extension on my browser already. It is so easy to use and makes typing a lot easier. In the text box of wherever you are typing, there is a blue check, or a red number in the bottom right. The blue means that there are no errors, and the red means it has detected a spelling or grammar error. If you click the red circle, it will fix your error with just one click.

Again, this can be very useful for students who are not fluent in English, or maybe a student with a disability that makes it difficult to type. Now they could be worry free with this tool.

AlphaText

AlphaText is a great option for students that struggle with reading and distractions. This tool changes the appearance of articles to make it easier to read. Articles are always filled with necessary information and ads. It can be jarring for some.

It also allows you to customize the new version yourself, so it is the best outcome for your needs. You can customize the:

• Font size and style
• Line spacing
• Color text and background

Voice Access

This tool is an app, only for Android devices. That may be a downside, but it still a great idea that may inspire other app creators to make it for all devices. It is an app dedicated to allow users to use their phone using their voice. This is for people who cannot use the screen because of disabilities.

It can be useful for students that need to access their work on their phone, or to contact classmates.