UMGC Library: Open Access Assistive Technology Resources: Reading

Bionic Reader

Bolds the first few letters of a word to support reading speed and comprehension

Bionic Reader
Bolds the first few letters of a word to support reading speed and comprehension
IOS | Chrome Extension | Firefox Extension

Digital Magnifiers

Increase the size of text and images

BigBrowser
IOS: Internet browsing application designed to help Low Vision users more easily navigate the web on iPads.
Bookshare
Web/Desktop: Accessible online library that is free for someone with a print disability; partner mobile apps listed in “Screen Reader” section
Magnificent
Android: This magnifying glass with light helps users any small thing and to take pictures
Supervision+
IOS: Magnifying glass app that offers a supreme live image stabilization capability

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

Convert images of text into machine-readable text formats

Evernote Scannable
IOS: Scannable captures paper documents, transforming them into high-quality scans ready to save or share
FreeOCR
Web/Desktop: Free Optical Character Recognition Software for Windows and supports scanning from most Twain scanners and can also open most scanned PDF's and multi page Tiff images as well as popular image file formats.
Microsoft Lens
Android/IOS: Trims, enhances, and makes pictures of whiteboards and documents readable
OCRSpace
Web/Desktop: Free Online OCR - Convert images and PDF to text
Online OCR
Web/Desktop: Picture to text converter allows you to extract text from image or convert PDF to Doc, Excel or Text formats
using Optical Character Recognition software online
Photoscan
Android: Photo Scan extracts text from photos and Scans/Generates QR Codes
Simple OCR
Web/Desktop: SimpleOCR makes available every kind of OCR solution from PDF Converters to Enterprise Data Capture, OCR Servers and Handprint Recognition for Forms and Surveys

PDF Converter

Convert PDF files to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Cometdocs
Android, IOS, & Web/Desktop: Convert your PDF files to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more

Physical Text to PDF

Scan text, create PDF and JPEG files, and apply OCR to recognize and read texts aloud

ABBYY Text Grabber
Android & IOS: Powerful mobile scanning and translation technologies.
CamScanner
Android, IOS, & Web/Desktop: Scan, save, search, and upload - easily manage documents anytime, anywhere

Screen Readers

Read digital texts aloud

Adobe PDF Reader
Web/Desktop: View, sign, collaborate on and annotate PDF files. Has "Read Out Loud" tool.
Balabolka
Web/Desktop: Text-To-Speech (TTS) program. All computer voices installed on your system are available to Balabolka
Dolphin EasyReader
Android: EasyReader is a free app which makes reading more accessible for readers who are visually impaired, have a neurodiverse condition such as dyslexia or any other print impairment (Also pairs with Bookshare)
Go Read
Android: Go Read is a FREE accessible ebook reader for people with print disabilities. Also pairs with Bookshare
Immersive Reader
Web/Desktop: Uses proven techniques to improve reading for people regardless of their age or ability.
JAWS Screen Reading Software
Web/Destop: Assistive technology products for blind and low vision individuals
Natural Reader (Play button)
Web/Desktop: Upload text and documents or convert to mp3 to listen to anywhere anytime
Read & Write Gold
Web/Desktop: Boost reading and writing confidence across all types of content and devices, in class, at work, and at home
Read Me!
Web/Desktop: ReadMe! is the first e-reader app to offer BeeLine Reader, an award-winning tool for reading more efficiently
Screen Reader (Auto play)
Web/Desktop: A web-powered screen reader
Speechify
Android, IOS & Web/Desktop: Turns any written text into spoken words in natural-sounding language
Text to Speech
Web/Desktop: Select and Speak uses iSpeech’s human-quality text-to-speech (TTS) to read any selected text in the browser