Text to speech tools can help with processing material and improving comprehension, reducing the need to re-read content. These tools can also be useful as a way of proofreading your work, by listening back to it to spot errors. Examples of text-to-speech tools are:
Adjust text display, such as background colour, font, line spacing and margins to make reading more comfortable. Some programmes include a reading ruler which you can use to focus on a few lines of text at a time, helping to focus your attention on what you are reading and reduce being overwhelmed by long texts.
See our enhancing digital reading guide for more tools built into Library e-book and journal platforms, including bookmarking and notetaking tools.
See our Windows and iOS guide for more information about how to use tools built into the operating system.
Dictation (or speech-to-text) software can be a useful writing tool for getting your thoughts down onto the page. It can be useful if you feel more confident expressing yourself verbally. Dictation software can also help reduce spelling errors.
Mindmapping software can help you capture your thoughts and build, organise and structure them into a more detailed piece of written work.
Notetaking tools can help with barriers around multi-tasking in lectures and tutorials. If you find it difficult to simultaneously take notes and listen, process, summarise, actively participate and critically engage with lecture content without missing anything, you may find a recording and transcription tool useful. Caption.ed is also a useful tool for people who are D/deaf or have hearing loss, in that it can live caption a lecture for viewing on your own laptop or device. Examples of notetaking tools:
Screen magnifiers can magnify the entire contents or a portion of your screen. Magnifiers such as ZoomText include the ability to enlarge text, change fonts and adjust colour contrast between the text and the text background and read out parts of the screen. Examples of magnifiers:
Screen readers are applications or tools built-in to the computer or device that help blind people and those with limited vision to access and interact with digital content. Screen readers read aloud content on the screen and other useful information such as headings, buttons and links to help people navigate the content. When using most screen readers you need to learn some shortcut keys or touch gestures. Examples of screen readers:
Not sure which software to use? We have added the following categories to the software descriptions.
Listen to your computer: text-to-speech and screen readers
Speak to your computer: speech-to-text, dictation and controlling the computer using your voice
Vision: magnify your screen, enhance mouse pointers and cursors, highlighting, screenreading
Productivity, planning and organisation: literacy tools, mindmapping, digital voice recorders and audio editing.
Description: OCR (Optical character recognition) software for scanning and reformatting documents so they can be used with assistive software.
Location: Northampton Square ATC PC 04, AT Room 1, AT Room 2. Law Library ATR.
With Caption.ed, you can have instant captions, downloadable transcripts and effortless note-taking. Caption.ed provides machine-generated captions and transcripts on the go. Learn how to use Caption.ed in the Care Scribe academy.
Description: Speech-to-text / dictation / voice recognition application to transcribe your spoken words into written text or control the computer using your voice. The software may be useful for student with RSI, permanent or temporarily reduced mobility, visual impairment, dyslexia and specific learning differences.
Guides: Videos, cheat sheets and user guides can be found on the Dragon Support webpage.
Location: Northampton Square ATC. Business School Library AT computers (for transcribing only in open areas). Law Library ATR.
Category: Speak to your computer
Description: Screen reader. A screen reader is a software application which converts text to synthesised speech output, allowing users to listen to all applications and content on their computer. JAWS is a powerful screen reader for blind and visually impaired computer users.
Location: Northampton Square ATC, Northampton Square All Library Level 2 pcs. Business School Library 1002 all pcs. Law Library ATR, T131 Computer Lab All pcs.
Guides:
Category: Vision Listen to your computer
Description: Mind mapping is a visual form of note making. Mind mapping can help you:
Mind Genius contains some useful study skills and project management templates to help build your map.
Guides: Mind Genius resources include 'how to' guides, templates and training.
Location: All City student computers. Available remotely through Apps Anywhere. Find out how to install and use AppsAnywhere. To use MindGenius remotely from a Windows pc, you need to be connected to the University's Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Category: Productivity, planning and organisation.
Description: For use with PEARL scanner which can be borrowed from the Library Help Desk at Northampton Square. Portable scanner and text-to-speech package.The PEARL and Open Book software brings blind and low vision users instant portable access to printed material with an array of human-sounding voices. The folding camera deploys in seconds to connect to your PC and snap a picture of your reading material.
Guides: PEARL and Open Book documentation.
Location: Northampton Square ATC PC 1, ATC Room 1.
Category: Vision Listen to your computer
Description: A collection of tools to support your reading and writing. Hear documents read out loud, text prediction, screen masking and summary highlighters.
Guides: Videos, training and guides can be found on TextHelp's training pages. If you are using the desktop version on your own pc, you may need to install a browser extension for the software to work with web content.
Location: All City student computers.
Category: Productivity, planning and organisation. Listen to your computer.
Description: ZoomText Magnifier/Reader is a fully integrated magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users. Magnifier/Reader enlarges and enhances everything on your computer screen, echoes your typing and essential program activity, and automatically reads documents, web pages, email.
Guides: ZoomText Training
Location: Northampton Square ATC, Northampton Square All Library Level 2 pcs. Business School Library 1002 all pcs. Law Library ATR, T131 Computer Lab All pcs.
Category: Vision Listen to your computer