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Assistive technology tools: Reading
Learn about assistive technology tools that help with reading.
By Kristin Stanberry , Marshall Raskind, Ph.D.
There is a wide range of assistive technology (AT) tools available to help individuals who struggle with reading. While each type of tool works a little differently, all of these tools help by presenting text as speech. These tools help facilitate decoding, reading fluency, and comprehension.
AT tools that assist with reading fall into several categories:
Audio books and publications
Recorded books allow users to listen to text and are available in a variety of formats, such as audiocassettes, CDs, and MP3 downloads. Special playback units allow users to and search and bookmark pages and chapters. Subscription services offer extensive electronic library collections.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
This type of tool may help people who struggle with: reading.
Products and services to consider
- Audible.com
- Bookshare
- Kurzweil 3000™ Literacy and Reading Programs
- Recorded Books on PlayAway
- Learning Ally
- Every state library acts as a distribution point for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which has a large collection of books in audio format. Visit http://www.loc.gov/nls/to search the catalog. Certification of disability is required.
- A growing number of local and university libraries are providing downloadable audio books through a service called NetLibrary. You have to have a compatible PC or MP3 player (Windows Media Player ready) in order to listen to them. Ask your library if they offer this service.
- Unabridged is a source of digital audio books for people in CA, CO, DE, IL, MA, NH, OH, OR, or Texas who are blind or visually challenged. Certification of disability by your participating local library is required.
Optical character recognition
This technology allows a user to scan printed material into a computer or handheld unit. The scanned text is then read aloud via a speech synthesis/screen reading system. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is available as stand-alone units, computer software, and as portable, pocket-sized devices.
What type(s) of learning difficulty do these tools address?
OCR may benefit people who struggle with: reading.
Products to consider
- WYNN™ Literacy Software Solution
- Kurzweil 3000™
- Kurzweil 3000™ USB Port/Flash Drive
- Intel Reader
- KNFB
- The Quicktionary Reading Pen
