There are thousands of apps and devices available now to make our lives easier and provide access and functionality that we may not otherwise have. Access technologies are built into the operating systems of our computers and mobile devices and are available as free and low-cost add-on apps. Some of the more popular ones are included below.
If you have experience with additional tools that you think others can benefit from, please contact ITS (ITSHelp@Colgate.edu) and let us know what has worked well for you.
Whether you are unable to type due to an injury or disability or just prefer dictation to typing, there are several options for generating text by speaking into your computer or mobile device.
Google Docs
See an overview of using dictation in Gmail and Google docs in the following 6 minute video: Using Google's Voice Recognition for Gmails and Google Documents.
With a Google document open, select Tools > Voice Typing.
Select the microphone that appears on the left side of your document window.
When prompted for permission to use your microphone, respond yes. The microphone icon will turn red as you talk and Google Docs will start transcribing what you say.
Click on the microphone to turn voice recognition off.
Voice commands are also available for formatting documents. See Type with your voice.
Gmail
A Chrome extension is required to implement voice typing in Gmail. Install the Dictation for Gmail Chrome extension.
When composing a new email, a microphone will appear net to the Send button in the new email window. After selecting the microphone icon, you will get a message asking you to allow use of the microphone.
Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint
In Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Office applications, hold down the Windows key + H to open a dictation toolbar at the top of the screen. If this is the first time you have used it, a message with the following link appears: "To use dictation, go to Settings and turn on Online speech recognition." Click on the link, then toggle the speech recognition to On.
Return to your Word document and press the Windows key + H to activate the dictation feature. The same tool will work in Excel and PowerPoint.
Windows
See How to Use Speech Recognition and Dictate Text on Windows 10 for information on getting started and commands to use to edit with Windows voice recognition.
MacOS
See Dictate messages and documents on Mac for information about setting up this feature.
Text-to-speech tools are essential for some people - those with low vision, those who struggle with reading, those who easily lose focus - but can also be useful for people needing to give their eyes a rest, as a means of proofreading content you have created or for those who wish to listen to the content at a faster rate.
NaturalReader is an app that converts text to speech for those who wish to listen to text being read aloud. NaturalReader is available as an online tool, installed as a Chrome extension or as a mobile app. NaturalReader will read web pages, email, Google docs and several file types including PDF, DOCX, PPTX, JPG, and screenshots among others. Contact ITSHelp@Colgate.edu to request a NaturalReader account.
Some additional free and low-cost tools that convert text to speech include:
- Microsoft Office documents: Select the Review tab, then "Read Aloud" or ALT+CTRL+Space (FREE)
- Websites and Google apps: Immersive Reader (+Chrome extension for websites & Google apps) (FREE)
- iOS mobile devices: VoiceDream Reader ($)
- Browser-based apps or multi-platform:
- Speechify- reads email, messages, documents, websites, multimedia, photo of a document ($)
- For Chrome, iPhone, iPad
- Speechify- reads email, messages, documents, websites, multimedia, photo of a document ($)
Whether you benefit from a little magnification or a lot, most computer and mobile devices have magnification options built into the operating system.
Windows
To turn the magnifier on, select Windows key + Plus sign (+). See Use Magnification to make things on the screen easier to see. There are several options for magnifying all or parts of the screen.
When viewing a webpage, use Ctrl + Plus sign (+) to magnify in smaller increments, 10%, 25%, 50%... 500%.
Mac
Set up zoom by selecting Apple menu > System Preferences, then select Accessibility. Select Zoom in the left sidebar, then select the Zoom features you find helpful. For more information, see How to zoom in or out on the Mac.
Create notes that integrate handwriting, typing, drawing and pictures. Annotate PDFs, Powerpoints and other documents and record audio in a single environment. Some free and low-cost options for digital note taking include:
iOS Devices: Notability
Android or iOS Devices: Goodnotes
Read more about additional accessibility features on the Mac at Get started with accessibility features on Mac. They include features like:
- changing the display features to increase contrast
- changing the size or color of the mouse pointer
- convert stereo sound into a single channel so you can hear everything even if using only one headphone
- control your Mac and apps using voice control
- perform mouse actions using the keyboard
See Accessibility features on Windows 11 to read about the awesome accessibility features available including:
- alternative color contrast themes to reduce screen brightness and increase contrast
- adjusting size and speed of the mouse pointer
- using color filters to help distinguish between items on the screen that differ only by color
- convert stereo sound into a single channel so you can hear everything, even if you're using just one headphone
- minimize distractions with focus assist
Free or low cost assistive technology (Source: Augsburg University)
AT HIVE Assistive Technology Resource (Source: AHEAD)