Accessibility Resource Center

Reading and Writing Support

The following free or low cost assistive technology software programs are available for anyone to use. The following programs, software, websites and apps focus on different forms of reading and writing support.

Software Programs

Reading and Literacy Support

  • Natural Reader
    link to natural reader
    • Text-to-Speech software which converts Microsoft Word, Webpages, PDFs, and Email into spoken text
    • Customize reading voice and speed for your readings
    • Floating toolbar to read text in other applications
    • Online Text-to-Speech program with options to input text from various sources on your computer
    • More Information: naturalreaders.com
    • Cost: Free
    • Compatibility: Windows; Mac OS; Online Resource
  • Rewordify
    link to rewordify
    • Rewordify replaces higher-level vocabulary with words that are
    • easier to understand
    • Help build understanding within readings and builds vocabulary
    • Difficult words are replaced and highlighted
    • Click on the words that were replaced to see the original word in
    • the text
    • More Information: rewordify.com
    • Cost: Free
    • Compatibility: Online Resource
  • Voice Dream Reader
    link to voice dream reader
    • Text-to-speech app to read books with the ability to customize your screen for preferred reading options
    • Read by listening to the text, visually or both at the same time
    • Supports PDF, Word Docs, EPUB, DAISY, eBooks, Web pages and more with the ability to integrate your Bookshare books or books in Dropbox, Evernote, Pocket, Gutenberg and more
    • Includes multiple language options along with various fonts, including Open Dyslexic font, and voices, including the option to purchase additional voices
    • Highlight information in the reading and export it to other programs and apps
    • More Information: voicedream.com
    • Cost: $9.99; VoiceDream Reader Lite(Free)
    • Compatibility: iOS; iPad, iPhone, iPod touch
  • Spritz
    link to spritz
    • Test your reading speed using Spritz to find your optimum reading speed to use in partnership with Readsy
    • Increase or decrease the test reading speed to find your balance of speed and comprehension
    • Spritz custom interface called the Spritzlet, adjusts word position and red letter placement for increased focus, attention and comprehension
    • Various website and apps have the Spritz Spritzlet embedded in it
    • More Information: spritzinc.com
    • Cost: Free
    • Compatibility: Web; iOS; Android
  • Beeline Reader
    link to beeline reader
    • Monochrome color text reader with Open Dyslexie Font
    • Read PDF files, webpages and convert ebooks to PDF files to be read with this program
    • Monochrome color text helps eyes to track lines of text for easier, faster reading by eliminating “line transition errors.”
    • Various monochrome color schemes for personalized use
    • More Information: beelinereader.com
    • Cost: $1.99 -iOS app; browser extensions free
    • Compatibility: Browser Extension: Chrome & Foxfire; iOS: iPad, iPhone, Desktop
  • vBookz PDF Reader
    link to vbookz pdf reader
    • Read PDF files with this app
    • Interactive cursor allows readers to follow along with text
    • Use annotation tools such as highlighting, text, notes, and bookmarks to help support your reading
    • Read books in text mode with the option for Dyslexie Font
    • Import PDFs using email, Dropbox, or through iTunes
    • More Information: vbookz.com
    • Cost: $4.99
    • Compatibility: iOS: iPad; iPhone, iPod touch
  • Prizmo
    link to prizmo
    • Convert documents and webpages into text-to-speech
    • Upload documents from Dropbox, Google Drive, Clipboard, Instapaper, or Web Browser
    • Listen to document immediately or save it to your playlist for future listening
    • Adjust speech rate along with the choice of built in voices; additional voices for purchase
    • More Information: captivoice.com
    • Cost: Free
    • Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch; Windows and Mac Browser Extensions
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
    link to adobe acrobar reader
    • Free PDF reader if PDF documents are readable PDFs
    • Listen to readings instead of reading them yourself
    • Tagged PDFs are read in order in structure tree, untagged are read in logical inferred reading order
    • Tagged PDFs will read alternative text descriptions
    • More Information: adobe.com
    • Cost: Free
    • Compatibility: Windows; Mac OS
  • Book Share
    link to bookshare
    • Largest online library of accessible reading materials for people with print disabilities
    • Accessible books, textbooks, newspapers and magazine are available
    • Individuals with Print Disabilities can sign up for a membership
    • Books available for download can be read on DAISY players, with Screen Readers, Refreshable Braille Displays, and other Assistive Technology Programs 
    • More Information: bookshare.org
    • Cost: Free with Print Disability
    • Compatibility: Online Resource
  • NaviDys
    link to 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
  • Yuzu (formerly Nook Study
    link to yuzu
    • Read your textbooks on the go – anywhere
    • Annotate your readings with highlights, sticky notes, and flags in your textbooks
    • Filter your notes and highlights onto one screen
    • More Information: yuzu.com
    • Cost: Free
    • Compatibility: iPad: Web App; Windows App
  • Fokus
    link to 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.google.com or addons.mozilla.org
    • Cost: Free
    • Compatibility: Chrome and Foxfire Add-On
  • CamScanner
    link to camscanner
    • Use your camera phone to scan documents, notes, whiteboards, business cards or any other document
    • Use the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) feature to convert images to readable text
    • Add annotations to your scanned documents
    • Sync documents across devices
    • More Information: camscanner.com
    • Cost: Free
    • Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone; Android; Windows Phone 8

Writing Support

  • Ginger Grammar Checker and Spell Checker
    link to ginger
    • Checks your spelling and grammar and fixes it according to the context of your text in Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Chrome
    • Suggests different and better ways to express your sentences (Premium)
    • Provides training to improve your mistakes (Premium)
    • Reads your text out loud (Premium)
    • More Information:  gingersoftware.com
    • Cost: Free; Premium $5.10- $11.20/Month
    • Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch; Chrome and Safari Extension
  • Ghotit
    link to ghotit
    • Online Contextual and phonetic spell checker along with grammar and punctuation checker
    • Copy text into web page and program will check your grammar, spelling and punctuation
    • More Information: ghotit.com
    • Cost: Free
    • Compatibility: Online Resource
  • Voice Dream Writer
    link to voice dream writer
    • Make fewer mistakes, use the right words and organize your writing better with this app
    • Text-to-speech and voice-to-text help you to proofread to avoid awkward sentences or grammatical mistakes
    • Dictionary, Phonetic Spell Checker, and Word Finder help you use the correct words when writing
    • Outline of paper allows for better structure and ease when restructuring your paper
    • More Information: voicedream.com/writer
    • Cost: 9.99
    • Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch
  • Co:Writer
    link to cowriter
    • Word Prediction app that gives you suggestions of words as you type with the option of reading your word options out loud with a swipe of your finger
    • Built-in text-to-speech reads back what you’ve typed
    • Grammar and spelling support
    • Export files to Dropbox, Google Drive, and other programs
    • Create topic dictionaries from websites and Wikipedia links
    • More Information: donjohnston.com
    • Cost: $19.99
    • Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, Ipod touch
  • iWordQ
    link to i word q
    • Context-based word prediction tool; including homonyms
    • Make your own custom abbreviation to simply your writing
    • Text-to-Speech function with breathing space added allows for you to listen to your writing to hear any mistakes and make changes and catch up as you proofread
    • More Information:quillsoft.ca/iwordq
    • Cost: $24.99
    • Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPad touch
  • TextExpander
    link to text expander
    • Type more with less effort using this custom keyboard shortcut app
    • Create custom abbreviations called snippets of frequently used words and phrases for easy, quick entry into your documents
    • Insert snippets by simply touching on them on your screen
    • Use Dropbox to sync your snippets across devices
    • More Information: textexpander.com
    • Cost: $4.99
    • Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPad touch