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Resources: Tips and Technology

The Office of Accessibility Services encourages students to explore these and other resources that may help them in their journey.

 

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The Transition from High School to Higher Education 

Students with disabilities transitioning from high school to higher education can expect to see many differences in how services and support are provided. This includes applicable laws, what the student’s responsibilities are, accessing support and accommodations, and classroom and instructor expectations.

The Key Differences Between High School and College

The following outside resources are offered to assist users in connecting with needed assistive technology.

*Please note, Delaware Valley University has compiled this list of resources to provide options to students. The University has not extensively reviewed the products listed on this page and does not provide support for them. The user assumes responsibility for installing and maintaining the products.

Assistive Software Technology Resources

If you have a WindowsMac or even a Chromebook, they all have built-in features that come at no cost to the user.

Cell phone built-in accessibility features: iPhone and Android

Browser accessibility features for Microsoft EdgeChrome and Firefox.

Windows - Narrator Built into Windows and free with the operating system

Mac & IOS - VoiceOver Built into all Apple devices, including macOS, IOS, and ipadOS, and is free to use

Android - TalkBack Pre-installed on most Android devices and is free 

WebAnywhere - A screen reader that works in web browsers across different operating systems

Microsoft Immersive Reader - Increase reading speed and comprehension for all learners

Helperbird - Reader with accessibility tools that is supported in most browsers. (Free and Pro version)

NaturalReader - Text-to-speech service within Windows and Mac OS (Free and paid features)

Speechify- Software that scans everything from books to emails and provides text-to-speech on Mac, Windows, and Chromebook. (Free and paid versions)

Dolphin Easy Reader - Mobile application that works on IOS and Android Devices. (Free)

Rewordify - Tool that improves reading by simplifying difficult English words. (Free)

Voice Dream Reader- Mobile application that provides text-to-speech on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watches. (Paid version)

BARD Mobile - BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) is a web-based service that provides access to audio and braille books. (Free)

BeeLine Reader - Screen masking tool. Available for Chrome browser, Android, IOS and other applications. (Free and paid version)

Read Aloud - Chrome Extension that provides text to speech for the web. (Free)

Hemingway Editor - Browser and desktop application for grammar checking. (Free)

OneNote - Digital Notebook with a plethora of tools. (Free)

ModMath - Application for the iPad that assists people who struggle with Mathematical notation. (Free)

Ginger - Grammar checker that can be installed or just used in browsers to check your work. (Free)

WordWeb Pro - English dictionary and thesaurus download for mobile and desktop devices. (Free)

Voice Dream Writer - Mobile application that provides text-to-speech for proofreading only available on IOS devices. (Paid)

RocketBook - Connects traditional handwriting with a free application that makes your notetaking digital. Available on Android and IOS devices. (Free)

Grammarly - AI powered application that helps with grammar. (Free and paid version)

Cold Turkey - Screen blocker for focusing on your writing. (Free)

AccessNote - IOS application that helps blind and visually impaired take notes. (Free)

Ava - Mobile application for IOS and Android devices that helps with deaf and hard-of-hearing people in communications. (Free)

Sign 4 Me - A Signed English Translator - Mobile application for Apple iPhones and iPod touch. This provides a 3D character that signs and can be moved to see different angles. (Paid)

Color Blind Pal - Application for color blindness that runs on Android, IOS and Mac devices. (Free)

Seeing AI - Mobile application for IOS devices that are talking camera for the blind. (Free)

Be My Eyes - Mobile application for IOS and Android devices that blind and low-vision people use with sighted volunteers. (Free)

Nearby Explorer - Mobile application for IOS devices that uses the GPS built into your phone to provide real-time navigation about your surroundings. (Free"lite"version to a paid)

Lookout by Google - Mobile application that assist people with low vision or blindness. (Free)

Autour - Eyes-free mobile system for iPhone to help the blind navigate their surroundings. (Free)

EasySub – Subtitling service, no account required. This platform is used within a browser. (Free)

Amara - Subtitling service, free account needed. This platform is used within a browser. (Free)

Chrome Live Caption - With a Gmail account, the user can have online captioning in real-time for media within the Chrome browser. Android Phones (Free)

YouTube closed captions - Service within YouTube that helps you add your own subtitles. (Free)

Presentation Translator for PowerPoint - This add-on provides live closed captioning that supports different languages. (Free with the purchase of MS PowerPoint)

Microsoft Translator - Personal translation app for more than 70 languages, to translate text, voice, conversations, camera photos and screenshots. (Free)

LipSurf - Voice control navigation for the web on Chrome Browser. (Free to paid version)

TestHear - Speech application for mobile devices. (Free to paid version)

Speech notes - Application for mobile devices. Can also be used within the chrome browser. (Free)

Google Docs - Service with a Google account that allows you to speak in Google Docs and Slides. (Free)

Voice Dream Scanner - Mobile application for IOS devices that allows you to scan paper documents and use a built-in text-to-speech software for reading. (Paid)

Otter - Speech-to-text notetaking software. Record and transcribe your notes in real-time. (Free to paid version)

Microsoft Office 365 Word - With a Microsoft account, you can transcribe speech to a text transcript. (Free)

myHomework - Student planner application that works on multiple platforms. (Free)

Any.do - Helps the user organize tasks and is available on multiple platforms. (Free to premium services)

Microsoft To Do: Lists, Tasks & Reminders - Planner for Windows OS. (Free)

Evernote - A classic note-taking app that allows you to sync notes across devices and save content like photos, web clippings, and audio. 

Forest - A gamified app that helps you stay focused by planting a virtual tree that grows while you work, and withers if you leave the app. 

Pomofocus - A simple, free web-based app for using the Pomodoro technique. 

RescueTime - Monitors your computer usage to help you understand where your time is going and can block distracting websites

Mathway a Chegg service - Provides tools to help solve math equations. (Free)

PhotoMath - Step-by-step explanations help you break down problems so you can learn as you go.

QuickMath - Helps with solving math equations. (Free)

Desmos Calculator - Math tools for students. (Free)

Free Online OCR Service - Service that converts scanned PDFs to Word. (Free)

Soda PDF Online OCR - Images OCR tool. (Free)

Google Drive Converter - Tool that converts PDFs and photos to a text format. (Free)

Adobe, Scan PDF Canner App - Mobile Application that helps convert images to PDF. (Free)

OCR in OneNote - Microsoft's OneNote can copy text from pictures and extracts the text. (Free)

ABCBraille - Braille to Text Translation. (Free)

OrCam - Devices for the blind and visually impaired. Helps with daily readings and recognizing faces. (Paid)

UbiDuo - Face to face communication devices for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Hearing. (Paid)

PCEye - Eye tracker for people with physical disabilities to control Window OS systems. (Paid)