Links to useful online resources
Scientific Processors
- WinTriangle, SourceForge - offers a scientific, self-voiced word-processing application
JSC Learning Technologies - this link has useful information on science learning technologies for the visually impaired interested in pursuing careers in science.
Text-to-Speech software
- WordTalk at http://www.wordtalk.org.uk/Home/ is a free text-to-speech plugin for Microsoft Word. It reads and highlights the text at the same time.
- Thunder at http://www.screenreader.net/ is a screen reading software for blind and visually impaired people. You will need a computer running Windows 2000, XP or Vista with speakers or headphones.
- NVDA (Non Visual Desktop Access) at http://www.nvda-project.org/ is a free and open source screen reader.
- Natural Reader at http://www.naturalreaders.com/ - is a Text to Speech software with natural sounding voices.
- ReadPlease 2003 at http://www.readplease.com/english/downloads/#rp2003 can read text, change background colour, font style and color, and text size.
- Sayz Me at http://datafurnace.net.au/sayzme/ can read aloud text, highlight words as they are spoken, change voice, adjust reading speed, voice pitch, font, font size and color.
- AMIS Reader - http://daisy.org/project/amis AMIS is an open source DAISY book player.
Screen Magnifiers
- Dragnifier at http://halley.cc/stuff/dragnifier.html
- Desktopzoom at http://desktopzoom.uptodown.com/en/
- Lens at http://www.abf-soft.com/lens-magnifying-glass.shtml
- Vu-Bar - http://www.fxc.btinternet.co.uk/ Vu-Bar is an on-screen slotted ruler that is useful for users with dyslexia, or when they have tendency to skip lines or drop from one line to the next. This version allows the user to select the bar width, 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of screen width and set the slot height to the required font size.
Mind Mapping Software
- FreeMind at http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Download and Edraw at http://www.edrawsoft.com/freemind.php are basic mind mapping applications that can help you to capture your initial ideas and thoughts and reorganise them to communicate information or produce a quality piece of writing.
Disclaimer
The software applications mentioned here are free of cost and offer no warranty or guarantee. Disability Resource Service provides this list as only a guide to open source software and does not accept liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of this information.