Communication, Mind Mapping/Brainstorming and Vision Support
The following free or low-cost assistive technology software programs are available for anyone to use. These programs, software, websites and apps focus on different forms of communication, mind mapping, brainstorming, and vision support.
Software Programs
Communication Support
Proloquo2Go
Augmented and Alternative Communication tool for people who cannot speak or have difficulty speaking for themselves
Over 75,000 pictures to help convey any needs throughout the day
Free Text-to-Speech to let others hear your speech out loud
More Information: assistiveware.com/proloquo2go
Cost: Donation Program
Compatibility: iOS: iPad
Mind Mapping and Brainstorming Support
Popplet
Online and app based mind mapping too
Visually put your thoughts down to create mind maps easily
Print these mind maps for yourself or share with others
More Information: popplet.com
Cost: Free: web and lite app, $4.99: full app
Compatibility: Online Resource; iOS: iPad; iPhone, iPod touch
MindMeister
Mind Mapping/Brainstorming tool for use on personal devices and the web
Collaborate in real time with other people
Use the program to present your work
Full use of software program and features costs a small, monthly fee
More Information: mindmeister.com
Cost: Free; Premium – $6.00/month
Compatibility: Online Resource; iOS: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch; Android
Idea Sketch
Draw and create mind maps, concept maps, and flow charts
Convert your diagram into a text outline, or outline and turn it into a concept/mind map
Use to brainstorm, illustrate concepts, make lists and outlines, plan presentation and create organizational charts
Import text into Idea Sketch and automatically create diagrams and outlines
Share your idea using email, Dropbox and other
More Information: learningworksforkids.com
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Windows; Mac; iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch; Windows Phone
Mindmanager
Create visual mind maps to organize brainstorm, concepts, tasks, ideas, lecture or meeting notes, or action items
Easy to use gesture based commands
Mapping features include text styling, relationship, and various other tools
Integrate your maps to Dropbox for easy sharing
More Information: mindmanager.com
Cost: Free
Compatibility: iOS: iPad; Android
Vision Support
TapTapSee
Use this app to help identify everyday objects for anyone with a visual impairment or who is blind
Double tap the screen, take a picture of the object, and hear what the object is spoken out loud
Turn VoiceOver on to have the object description read out loud
More Information: taptapseeapp.com
Cost: Free
Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch
LookTel Recognizer
LookTel Recognizer allows users who are blind or low vision to recognize objects
Build a library of images of objects commonly found in your daily life
Once the library is built, place object in front of camera of phone and instant recognition and description of the object will occur
More Information: looktel.com/recognizer
Cost: $19.99
Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch
LookTel Money Recognizer
LookTel Money Recognizer allows users who are blind or low vision to recognize currency and will speak the denomination out loud
Place money under the camera of your phone and the app will recognize the currency amount
Over twenty currencies supported by this app
More Information: looktel.com/moneyreader
Cost: $9.99
Compatibility: Mac; iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch
Be My Eyes
App that connect people who are blind with sighted volunteers around the world
Using video chat, volunteers help people who are blind with a variety of tasks as they serve as the person who is blind’s eyes
A networks of thousands of both blind and sighted people across the world
More Information: bemyeyes.com
Cost: Free
Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch
NVDA Screen Reader
NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) is a free, open source screen reader built for Windows based operating system computers
Download to your computer directly or to a USB drive and run on any computer without installation
Works with many popular applications such as web browsers, email, and Microsoft Office programs
Ability to convert text into a Braille using Refreshable Braille Display
More Information: nvaccess.org
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Windows
NaviDys
Adapt and adjust webpages to your own reading preference settings
Adjust the font to one of 10 available fonts including Dyslexie font
Adjust font size, letter spacing and line spacing of the webpage you’re reading
More Information: michaeldardol.com/navidys
Cost: $2.99
Compatibility: iOS: iPad
Turn Off the Lights
Click the light bulb button to get your screen to fade to a dark opacity overlay
Everything but the key area you are working in, such as a YouTube Video, a Google Doc, or an HTML 5 website will fade
Ability to adjust opacity and darkness
Shortcut keys to command program
More Information: turnoffthelights.com
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Chrome Add-On
Fokus
Highlight only the text you want to read while Fokus dims and darkens the rest of your Chrome or Firefox window with an overlay
Highlights the paragraph you’re reading with the ability to change the opacity of the background overlay
Easy to install extension with the ability to turn the feature on or off
More Information: Chrome Extension or Firefox Add-On
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Chrome and Firefox Add-On
