Software and apps
When we provide equipment to children and young people we often provide software and applications which also support the assistive technology and access for the young person. Here we will provide more information about these different applications.
Clicker 8: This is a literacy support package with a variety of tools. It has a word processor with features including speech feedback, talking spell checker, word prediction, Voice Notes and picture support.
DocsPlus: Support for writing through speech feedback, word prediction, word banks and writing frames.
Dragon: Dragon Professional is a voice recognition program that allows users to transcribe speech into text.
Setting up Dragon ver.15
Dragon Commands
Dragon Professional 15:
Correcting and Training
Adding and deleting vocabulary in Dragon
Dwell Clicker 2 is a Windows application that allows you to use a mouse or other pointing device without clicking buttons.
First Keys: The latest version of the popular First Keys program; a friendly introduction to the keyboard that uses speech, phonics and the Widgit Symbols in colourful and engaging missing-letter exercises to teach literacy skills.
Grid Player 3: Grid Player is an app that allows vocabulary sets created in Grid 3 to be accessed on an iPad. The resources cannot be edited on the iPad.
InPrint 3: InPrint is desktop publishing program that enables the production of symbol-supported resources for communication and curriculum access.
Inspiration: This software provides several visual thinking and learning products for the K–12 education and business markets.
PCBY Voice: PCBYVOICE is voice activation software.
Penfriend: This is a word prediction program with a screen reader, text magnification and on-screen keyboards.
Sonocent produces Audio Notetaker, desktop software that turns audio into visual blocks; notes can then be structured using colored highlighting, and combined with images and text notes.
A revolutionary word-finding & literacy tool designed for individuals with Specific Learning Differences.
WordQ 5 supports users of all ages by offering state-of-the-art word prediction, speech feedback, proofreading and more. WordQ can be used virtually anywhere you type on a computer, online or offline, helping users realize their full potential and gain confidence in their communication and self-expression.
Boardmaker is a trusted tool for parents, teachers, and therapists to create symbol adapted accessible curriculum materials for students – regardless of their abilities.
Look to Read enables children with disabilities to experience and enjoy books independently. Suitable for eye gaze, switch and touch access.
Look to Learn is a motivating and fun way to get started with eye gaze technology including over 40 activities.
Splash! is a powerful maths and science framework program for teachers, teaching assistants, and parents to produce bespoke resources for their students at different stages of their development. It comes with a number of ready-made and free resources and is compatible with multiple different access methods.
SymWriter2 is a symbol word processor that allows writers of any ability to see the meaning of words as they type or input content from grids, supporting access to new or challenging vocabulary.
Mind Express helps people with communication disorders learn to communicate independently using symbols and letters, or a combination of both. Mind Express incorporates more than 20 years of experience supporting users worldwide with cerebral palsy, autism (ASD), selective mutism, MS, MND, Down’s syndrome, aphasia, etc. in their daily activities.
Mouse Skills takes learners stage by stage through the many applications of the mouse. Move the mouse over an object, drag and drop, drag along a path and the use of drop-down menus are all represented. Various clicking activities can be found such as clicking anywhere, click timing and double clicking.
Widgit Online: create visual, communication and learning supports in your web browser using over 18,000 Widgit Symbols and 100’s of easy-to-use templates.
Texthelp provide a range of technology solutions for teaching and learning across the whole curriculum. These solutions include, but are not limited to; accessible maths, reading and writing tools.
Claro Software develops Assistive Technology software for people with disabilities such as print and reading difficulties like dyslexia. Software includes text-to-speak, mind mapping and idea capturing tools, communication tools and many more.
Dolphin provide accessibility software to support those who are blind, partially sighted or who have a reading impairment such as dyslexia in their personal, professional or education lives.
Global AutoCorrect saves you time and helps you to focus on what you’re writing by automatically and intelligently correcting your spelling as you type.
Scribeasy is a visual learning platform that uses photo-real picture-workflow with thesaurus, spelling and learning support tools to let children take more control of their story.
VoxAid dramatically increases the capabilities of Dragon Professional by adding thousands of tailor-made commands that empower the user to: use, navigate and automate popular Mind Mapping, Note taking, MS Office and other software, in far more ways than Dragon alone.
Websites
KAZ provide simple and effective touch typing courses aimed at both mainstream and neurodivergent students or employees.
HelpKidzLearn is a collection of software for young children and those with learning difficulties to play online. The software is split into five sections: Early Years, Games and Quizzes, Stories and Songs, Creative Play & Find Out About.
Wordshark provides a fun and effective games-based solution for students learning to spell and read. The program is especially useful for those with dyslexia and other special educational needs.
Numbershark provides games and activities that teach and reinforce numeracy skills. Numbershark is used by students of varying ages and abilities but is especially popular for those with dyscalculia and other SEN.
Nessy programs are designed to help students of all abilities learn to read, write, spell and type, especially those with dyslexia and other SEN.
EducationCity is an educational resource for children aged 3-12 and their teachers, providing teaching resources, classroom idea and educational games.
Discovery Education Espresso is a curriculum-centred primary teaching resource, offering instant access to a wealth of essential classroom resources aligned to the curriculum across a wide range of subjects.