In order to use any of these programs, students must first schedule a 30-60 minute training appointment with the Tutorial Center.

OpenBook

OpenBook is a reading aid designed to assist students with certain reading disabilities. It enhances the comprehension of written material using both visual and auditory aids simultaneously. This program may help students who have difficulty in reading retention. It can help students read faster.  OpenBook lets students do several things:

	Scan external documents such as books and convert them to computer-readable files.
	Read computer files at the students' desired pace and convert the text into spoken words. Students can select the text they want to hear spoken, the speed at which it is spoken, and the type of voice in which it is spoken (i.e., male or female, high- or low-pitched)
	Edit computer text files and save the modified files

Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Dragon NaturallySpeaking is a voice recognition program designed to meet the needs of students who have difficulties typing. It gives students the ability to speak their written assignments instead of typing them. 
 

ZoomText

ZoomText is designed specifically to meet the needs of the visually impaired by providing screen magnification and enhancement as well as screen reading within all the computer's programs.
ZoomText lets students do several things:

	Select a preferred screen magnification size
	Choose a magnification display format: magnification over the entire screen, a small magnifying box or magnification over half the screen
	Have the computer read the text aloud
	Filter the screen color making the screen easier to read

Read & Write

Read & Write is a support program designed to help students with reading or writing difficulties and can be used with any word processor. International students may benefit from this program as well. This program reads text aloud and helps students construct words or sentences.
 
Read & Write has several options:

	Spell check is automatically opened when a word is misspelled
	Advanced spell check proofreads selected text and shows misspelling and homonyms
	Word prediction suggests word choices as the student types
	Thesaurus provides the student with other words with similar meanings.

 

Inspiration

Inspiration uses integrated diagrams and outline views to help student create graphic organizers and expand topics for writing. This software helps students to:

• Brainstorm new ideas.
• Map ideas to show relationships between ideas.
• Integrate notes under topics.
• Create an outline.
• Check spelling.
• Transfer information to word processing program for writing drafts.

Ace Reader

AceReader is reading improvement software that can assess reading speed and comprehension, and provide guided practice to increase proficiency.

• Helps break the bad habits of subvocalization and re-reading/regression.
• Reduces eye fixation time.
• Expands eye fixation zone.
• Increases fixation speed.

Kurzweil 3000

Kurzweil 3000 is a reading, writing and learning software solution that uses a multisensory approach. Text may be scanned into the program, read on screen or converted to audio. This software includes:

• Option to read and hear highlighted text at the same time.
• Decoding tools such as recursive dictionary, synonyms, syllabification and spelling of words.
• Tools to highlight main ideas, add annotations, extract outlines or word lists and create voice notes.
• Writing/editing tools for composition.