What Is Special Needs Software?
Special Needs Software is available for a wide variety of purposes including augmentative communication, adapted computer access, aids to academic tasks and other applications. All of these products are designed to help students overcome a disability-related obstacle encountered in the access of their education.
Augmentative Communication
Software products for communication are designed either as staff tools to be used in the creation of communication aids for students or as speech output programs which enable the student to use a portable computer as a communication device.
- Communication board software provides a graphics library and layout tools for the creation of picture-based communication boards.
Download a trial version of BoardMaker communication board software.
www.mayerjohnson.com/downloads/index.html
- Speech output programs turn a portable computer into an augmentative communication device.
Click here to learn more about Speaking Dynamically Pro augmentative communication software from Mayer-Johnson.
www.mayerjohnson.com/product/index.html
Adapted Computer Access
People with disabilities often encounter obstacles in their effort to use computers. Software for computer access provides adaptations to computer input and output so that those obstacles are lessened or eliminated. Here are some examples of computer access software.
- Screen enlargement software magnifies the text and images on screen for people with vision limitations.
- Screen reading software speaks text on the screen for people who are blind.
Download a demo of JAWS screen reading software from the Henter-Joyce website.
www.hj.com
- An on-screen keyboard is a keyboard image on the computer screen that permits typing by clicking with the mouse.
Learn more about Discover:Screen, an on-screen keyboard from Don Johnston
www.donjohnston.com/
- Switch accessible software is designed for those who must use an adaptive switch to access the computer. These programs respond to input from any adaptive switch linked to a computer through a switch interface.
Download free switch accessible software from Switch In Time.
www.switchintime.com/
Aids to Academic Tasks
Students with disabilities encounter many obstacles to common academic tasks such as reading and writing. Listed below are some examples of products that provide assistance or alternative methods of accomplishing those tasks.
- Talking word processors convert text typed by the student into audible speech to reinforce text recognition and word processing skills.
Click here to view demos of IntelliTalk and other special needs software from IntelliTools.
www.intellitools.com/demos/productdemos.html
Click here to learn more about Write:Outloud, a talking word processor from Don Johnston.
www.donjohnston.com/catalog/struggle.htm
- Word prediction software predicts vocabulary based on the initial letters typed. Students with physical access limitations can save many keystrokes by inserting whole words and phrases with a single click or keystroke.
Click here to learn more about Co:Writer, a word prediction program from Don Johnston.
www.donjohnston.com/catalog/struggle.htm
- Concept mapping software enables students who struggle with the writing process to map out their ideas in a flow chart format and then convert it to an outline format with a click of the mouse.
Download a demo version of Inspiration concept mapping software.
www.inspiration.com/
- Electronic text provides books, magazines, newspapers and reference materials in digital format for reading on-line. These texts can also be printed in an alternate print format (font size, text color, etc.) or copied into a talking word processor where the computer can speak the text to the student.
Download free electronic text from Project Gutenberg.
www.gutenberg.net
Click here to check out the Children's Literature Web Guide
www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/
- Interactive CD-ROM books provide a multimedia approach to reading. Some products, like the Start-to-Finish Books from Don Johnston, offer print, audio tape and CD-ROM for multiple format approach.
Learn more about Start-to-Finish Books from Don Johnston.
www.donjohnston.com/catalog/struggle.htm
Where Can I Obtain More Information about Special Needs Software?
Links to Vendors
Links to Other Resources
