Englishtype

Touch-typing program designed with special educational needs in mind. Learn to touch-type through structured lessons and games.

Englishtype Junior
Touch-typing program for children. Follows Key Stages 1-3 of the National Curriculum, set the vocabulary according to the pupil's level. Excellent for children of all abilities.
Recommended for children up to the age of 12


Englishtype Senior
Touch-typing program for teenagers and adults. Two learning options: Fast-Track for rapid progress, Standard for detailed learning.
Ages 12+

textHelp

http://www.texthelp.com

Read and Write
Speech feedback, word definitions, pronunciation tutor, typing assistance, screen reading, spell checking, calculator, word prediction and more.
Ages 7+
Platforms: Windows 2000 SP4 and above
Use "Read and Write GOLD for Mac" for Mac users

Screenreader
Text to speech software that works in tandem with all Windows-based applications.
Includes choice of voices, read on mouse-over. Internet compatible.
Ages 7+
Platforms: Windows 98, ME, 2000, NT4 or XP

Browsealoud
Dedicated website at http://www.browsealoud.com
Subscription-based program for speech-enabling electronic text
Platforms: Windows 2000 and XP
Browsers: Firefox 1.5 and upwards, Internet Explorer 5.5, Netscape Navigator 7 and upwards.

ClaroRead

http://www.clarosoftware.com/

ClaroRead's ability to make the computer talk with a high quality, human synthesized voice is one of its key innovative features.

• Read text back from anywhere within Microsoft Word for proofing.
• Read text back instantly once selected by your mouse. Great for making web pages talk.
• Echo back letters, words or sentences as they are typed into your computer. Great for confirming what you have typed.
• Automatically hear many menu items and objects read by hovering the mouse over the item.

Inspiration

http://www.inspiration.com/

Inspiration © is the essential tool students rely on to plan, research and complete projects successfully. With the integrated Diagram and Outline Views, they create graphic organizers and expand topics into writing. This powerful combination encourages learning in multiple modes. As a result, students gain and retain a better understanding of concepts and demonstrate knowledge, improving their performance across the curriculum.

Cost £62.39 (Tag)

2 simple 2Connect

http://www.2simple.com/

2Connect is a concept mapping and planning tool which will help children organise their thoughts individually or collaboratively on a network. It's a simple way to put ideas on a page!

• Concept Map: Add words, sound and images.
• Sound Recorder: Record and play back your own voice while working with any program to help support and guide your writing.
• Collaborative Tool: Work on the same concept map at the same time and see ideas instantly appear on all the other machines in real time!
• Word Bank: Just link to any writing program, click on a word and it's inserted into the text.
• Planning Tool: Export into 2Create and the multimedia project is created automatically!

Cost £45.83 inc VAT

2simple Typing Tutor

2Type Seven programs for learners of all ages to develop keyboard skills and spelling patterns. Word based activities are linked to the National Literacy Strategy.

• Increase typing speed and improve spelling
• Develop keyboard familiarity and correct finger positions using a colour-coded interface
• Differentiate between upper and lower case
• Assess and report pupils' progress including certificates


Cost £34.08 inc VAT

Mathbase

http://www.mathsproject.com/

MathBase programs provide effective and efficient practice of basic numeracy skills. They are differentiated to allow pupils to progress at the rate appropriate to their needs and ability. Simple and fun to operate, MathBase software uses small steps and repetition to increase pupil confidence and maintain enthusiasm. Focused learning objectives and simple operation help pupils to work more independently.

Cost £15.99

ClozePro

http://www.cricksoft.com/

ClozePro is a tool for cloze activities - children click on words to fill in gaps in sentences. You can also use it to create paper-based cloze activities very quickly and easily.

• Provides a range of exciting and stimulating cloze activities
• For learners of all ages and abilities
• Suitable for use across all subject areas

Cost £49

Wordbar (cricksoft)

Wordbar Words and phrases in Wordbar are organised into tabs - just click on tab to see a different set of words. Wordbar comes with high-quality software speech so you can hear words or phrases before you write. You can also use speech voices for other languages, or record your own speech. See our audio products section for voices for other languages.

• New file templates and grid templates at different heights, suitable for all age ranges
• Remembers not only the speech engine, but also the font for each Wordbar
• Change the height of tabs for improved visibility
• Send a Tab, Enter/Return or Space after the text when you click it
• Child-friendly Sassoon font included for new users who buy the CD-ROM
• Easy network support - even create a shortcut to each user's My Documents folder!


Cost £29

Read-e

http://read-e.com/mambo/index.php

Read-e™ is a talking web browser, word processor, spell checker, dictionary and so much more!
Works with virtually all Windows-based programs.
Platforms: Windows XP (SP1 or higher) Home and Professional, ME, 2000 (SP4 or higher)

Smartkids

http://www.smartkids.co.uk/

The Super Star Series makes beginning reading fun and easy with its combination of instruction, songs, words and games. Instruction - Concise instructional presentations, with visuals that make the letters, sounds and words come alive. Sing-a-long Songs - These lively and fun songs make phonics concepts easy to remember. Learn the Words - This section allows the student to see and hear how the words that were introduced in the songs are formed by using pictures, the word sound and phonemic sounds. Activities/Games - The student is challenged with fun and exciting games to identify letter patterns in words and to earn a silver or gold star on each activity/game. Final Review - The Review games challenge the students to use all of their knowledge. Teacher Features A Teachers section includes the following:

1. An explanation of the Super Star System
2. Print pages for the words to all the songs
3. Print pages for all the activities.

Tag Learning

http://www.taglearning.com/index.php

Empowering learning through ICT
Supplier of educational software, peripherals, training and support materials.

iANSYST

http://www.iansyst.co.uk/home.php

Specialist suppliers of computers and IT solutions for disabled people of all ages.
Supplier of computer systems, software, books, reference CD-ROMs and dictation machines.
Tests and compares hardware and software for suitability for dyslexia, visual impairment and other disabilities, and offer product buying advice, training and technical support.

ScanSoft

http://www.scansoft.co.uk

Supplier of imaging, speech and language solutions including:

Dragon Naturally Speaking
Speech recognition software that works with virtually all Windows-based programs.
Create letters, reports, and e-mails by speaking.
Platforms: Windows XP (SP1 or higher) Home and Professional, ME, 2000 (SP4 or higher)

Buy from Amazon

Nessy

http://www.nessy.co.uk

Nessy

Nessy is a structured learning programme divided into ten colour-coded and animated islands, with over 100 lessons and 1000 pritable activities.

It begins with the earliest stages of alphabet sounds and goes to an advanced level (16+).

Each resource starts with a fun learning strategy or rule that is reinforced with games.

Touch-type, Read and Spell

http://www.ttrs.co.uk

Touch-type, Read and Spell

Computer course for Primary, Secondary, Adult and Home use. A multi-sensory (seeing, hearing, speaking and touching) computer-aided learning course for students with spelling, reading or writing difficulties.

A free trial is available on request.

Learning is promoted by a multi-sensory method:
• A systematic programme of seeing, listening, speaking and typing.
• Seeing the words pronounced as they are typed.
• Hearing the words pronounced as they are typed.
• Student and computer are interactive allowing for immediate self-correction of errors and feedback of results.
• The structured TTRS course is finely graded in modules and levels building from words to sentences.
• With each successful module completed the student is encouraged to progress further.
• Students develop their own learning speed, therefore there are no peer group pressures.
• TTRS gives focus and support for a positive learning experience.

Public Licence Software - Dasher

http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/dasher/

• Text input program that uses natural pointing gestures. Dasher is a zooming interface: you point where you want to go.
• Can be used with a palmtop computer, a wearable computer or an ordinary computer.
• Allows text input using one hand using a mouse, trackerball, touchscreen, touchpad or joystick.

For Mozilla Firefox internet browser users:

Open Source Extensions

Acessibar
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4242
Adds an accessibility toolbar enabling easy manipulation of web page display and text-to-speech output.
Firefox 1.5 - 3.0

British English Dictionary
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3366
Dictionary for built-in spellchecker in Mozilla programs. Needs to be reinstalled each time the program is updated.
Firefox 2.0 - 3.1, Thunderbird 2+, SeaMonkey 1.1+

SpellBound
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/9207
Adds additional spell-checking functionality to Firefox. This add-on is still in the experimental phase.
Firefox 3.0 - 3.1