I am attaching some e-mails sent previously on this same subject, which I
happened to save. I also wrote down another one: Read Please software for
LD, http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10106-100-911833.html
Hope this helps. Good luck.
- Jackie McCraw
From: MARLENE MCINTOSH [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2000 8:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: SOFTWARE FOR LEARNING DISABLED
Kate:
I am working as part of a task force on a pilot project designed to help
students with Learning Disabilities. As their computer instructor, adaptive
software instructor, and technical support person, I've dealt with students
with learning disabilities a fair bit.
We use textHelp! (www.texthelp.com) as a screen reader, and as a writing
tool. This product allows students to write and have the text read back to
them, which is great as the LD student can HEAR what they REALLY wrote. That
helps them to answer the question: "Is what I wrote what I really wanted to
say?" This software product can also be used to read whatever is on the
screen, so the student can pass the mouse over menu items, screens from the
Internet, etc., and have textHelp read it back to them.
Another feature this software has is an excellent spell checker that can
check as the student writes; this product includes a dyslexic speller. It's
much better than the ones that come with most word processing packages. It
also offers a great word prediction tool (for help with spelling) and a
homonym feature that gives a short description of a word if you type a
homonym (eg: their, they're, there).
Another product that we use is Kurzweil 3000 (www.lshl.com). This program
allows you to scan newspapers, instruction sheets, text books, etc., and it
appears EXACTLY as it does on the page. Then, Kurzweil reads it aloud,
highlighting the text in a yellow box as it reads. Its recognition is far
superior to that of most other products. This program is great for students
who have visual perception problems, as the computer reads to them and they
can follow along. It is also helpful with auditory processing problems
because the student can alter the speed of reading to their comfort leel.
The third product we use is Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred. This
product allows the student to dictate into the computer, and then we use
textHelp to read the dictation back to the student.
These tools help students to write, comprehend, and helps them to become
more independent.
I hope that this helps. Please feel free to contact me if you want more
information.
Marlene McIntosh
Cambrian College
The Glenn Crombie Centre for Disability Services
1400 Barrydowne Road
Sudbury, ON P3A3V8
(705) 566-8101 x. 7219
[log in to unmask]
http://homepages.cambrianc.on.ca/snrrc
-----Original Message-----
From: Katherine O'Connell [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2000 6:55 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: SOFTWARE FOR LEARNING DISABLED
I am looking for software that will be easily used by students with learning
disabilities, for example, something with audio output rather than text, or
something that would enlarge text, which is helpful for those with dyslexia.
Can anyone recommend any titles? Thanks.
Kate O'Connell
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