Google Tools for Special Needs
by - Eric Curts
Table of Contents:
Chrome Web Apps and Extensions
Watch the video training for this content - Google Tools for Special Needs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYEgxpTu-rI |
Introduction
There are many tools and features for the Google suite of products that provide accessibility or other accommodations for users with special needs. Some of these tools and features are created by Google and built right into their products. Others are created by third-parties and available as web apps, extensions, and such.
The following information will provide a list of many useful Google-related tools and features for users with special needs. This is a rapidly evolving area, so this list will be updated periodically to reflect the most current, most valuable resources. If you know of a tool or feature that should be added to this list please send the information to ericcurts@gmail.com
General websites
Before listing individual tools and resources, below is a list of several general websites that provide lots of information about Google-related accessibility, accommodation, tools, and resources.
- Google Accessibility site - Google’s official site with information on all the accessibility features built into all of their products - http://www.google.com/accessibility/
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Chrome Web Apps and Extensions
In addition to the features Google has built into their products, many developers have created Chrome web apps and Chrome extensions that bring extra functionality to Chrome for accessibility and accommodations.
Below is a list of many useful Chrome web apps and extensions for special needs grouped by topic. Some tools fit into more than one topic, but each is only listed once.
Text to speech
- Read&Write for Google - link
The "Swiss Army Knife" of extensions with tools including word prediction, dictionary, picture dictionary, text to speech, screenshot reader, speech maker, screen mask, translator, highlighters, voice note, and more. Works on webpages, PDFs, Google Docs, and Google Slides.
Note: There is a paid version with all the tools and a free version with a subset of the tools. Educators can get the paid version for a year at no cost by filling out the form at: http://rw.texthelp.com/drive/home/RegisterTeacher
- SpeakIt! - link
Text to speech tool that reads any selected text on web pages or PDF’s that are opened in Chrome. Options that can be adjusted include speaking rate and choice of voice.
- Announcify - link
This is another text to speech tool that not only reads a webpage, but also removes distracting elements from the site. The only drawback is the inability to select specific text to read, as the entire page is read aloud.
Speech to text
- Voice Recognition - link
Voice recognition app that allows the user to dictate the text of a document, then save the text to Google Drive or send as an email.
- SpeechPad - link
Voice recognition app that allows the user to dictate the text of a document, then copy and paste the text to another application as needed
- VoiceNote - link
Voice recognition app that allows the user to dictate the text of a document, then copy and paste the text to another application as needed
Readability
- Readability - link
Creates a more readable version of a web page by removing all the ads, comments, and other extra distracting items. The user can also adjust the font size and color scheme of the new text.
- OpenDyslexic - link
This extension overrides all fonts on webpages with the OpenDyslexic font, and formats pages to be more easily readable.
- BeeLine Reader - link
Creates a more readable version of a web page by removing all the ads, comments, and other extra distracting items. Then applies a color gradient to the page text guide your eye from one line to the next.
- High Contrast - link
This tool can make webpages easier to read by changing the colors to increase contrast, invert the colors, or switch to grayscale.
- ATbar - link
Change the colors and font size for a webpage, have text read aloud, use colored overlays, remove distracting elements from the page, and more
- MagicScroll Web Reader - link
Turn web pages into a flippable e-book with easy clickable or keyboard control, as well as control over font size and page color as well. - Readline - link
Although designed as a speed reading tool, you can adjust the speed to the lowest setting and use this extension to easily read text one word at a time.
- Visor- link
This screen overlay tool darkens out the page except for a horizontal band you can move up and down as you read, helping the student focus.
- Color Enhancer - link
For people who are partially color-blind, this tool can help adjust and improve webpage colors.
Reading comprehension
- SummarizeThis - link
Copy and paste any text into the app to get a summarized version of the most important information.
- sentiSum - link
Get a summarized version of any webpage. - Google Dictionary - link
Double-click any word on a web page to get a pop-up with the definition and audible pronunciation.
- Newsela - link
Current event articles covering many subjects, each written at five different Lexile levels so all students can read the same material at an appropriate level.
Navigation
- Click-free Browsing - link
Adds navigation icons to a webpage that can be activated by simply hovering over them, rather than needing to click. Commands include scrolling, backward and forward in page history, opening a link, and more.
- Vimium - link - YouTube video
Provides keyboard shortcuts for navigation and control for someone with difficulty using a mouse.
- CrxMouse - link
Use mouse gestures to navigate including forward, backward, scrolling, refreshing, switching tabs, and more. The user can even program their own custom mouse gestures to open programs and perform other tasks.
- Caret Browsing - link
This extension gives you a movable cursor in any web page, allowing you to move through the text with your arrows keys and select text with the keyboard.
Focus
- Simple Blocker - link
This tool helps students to stay focused on their work by blocking distracting websites. The user can choose the sites to block, how long to block them, and optional password protection.
- uBlock Origin - link
A simple but powerful ad-blocking extension to help remove distracting ads from websites, making pages less cluttered and easier to read.
- Move It - link
For students who need a break, this extension can be set to periodically have them stop working and do something physical for a moment.
Classroom management
- ClassDojo - link
Behavior management tool to build positive learning habits and behaviors.
- Class Charts - link
Seating chart tool with behavior and data tracking.
Communication
- Picto4Me - link
Allows you to create, edit, download, and play pictographic communication boards
Chrome features
The Chrome web browser has many accessibility feature built in by default. Below is a list of some of the most common.
Zoom - User can adjust the zoom level of the browser by pressing:
- Ctrl and + to zoom in
- Ctrl and - to zoom out
- Ctrl and 0 (zero) to return to the original zoom level
Font face and size - Users can set the default font face and default font size for all websites.
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Keyboard shortcuts - Many common tasks in Chrome can be accomplished with keyboard. Some common keyboard shortcuts are listed below.
- Shift+Alt+T = Main Toolbar (contains Back, Forward, Reload, etc)
- Shift+Alt+B = Bookmarks Toolbar
- Ctrl+1 through Ctrl+8 = switches to the tab at the specified position number on the tab strip.
- Ctrl+9 = switches to the last tab.
- Ctrl+Shift+Tab or Ctrl+PgUp = switches to the previous tab.
- Ctrl+Tab or Ctrl+PgDown = switches to the next tab.
- Ctrl+W or Ctrl+F4 = closes the current tab.
A full list of Chrome keyboard shortcuts can be found at:
Gmail features
Keyboard shortcuts - Many common tasks in Gmail can be accomplished with keyboard. First though you have to turn on the feature.
- In Gmail click the gear icon.
- Next then Settings.
- Scroll down to Keyboard Shortcuts
- Click button turn them on or off.
Some common keyboard shortcuts are listed below.
c = Compose n = Next message p = Previous message u = Return to conversation list ! = Report spam r = Reply a = Reply all f = Forward / = Search | k = Move to newer conversation j = Move to older conversation e = Archive s = Star a message or conversation v = Move to ( = Archive and previous ) = Archive and next z = Undo | # = Delete l = Label . = Show more actions ? = Show keyboard shortcuts help o or Enter = Open conversation Ctrl+s = Save draft Shift+i = Mark as read Shift+u = Mark as unread |
A full list of Gmail keyboard shortcuts can be found at:
YouTube features
Many YouTube videos include an option for closed captions. Videos with captions available will have a “CC” icon in the video summary in search results. You can also search specifically for videos with captions as follows:
When playing a video that has captions, you can turn on captioning by clicking the “CC” icon in the bottom right corner of the video window. |
Android features
There are many accessibility features built into Android for your Google tablet or phone. Below are a few quick features that can be of particular use.
Dictation - Android has a very powerful voice to text translation feature. If you open a Google Document on your Android device, you can use the dictation feature to speak your content and let Google turn it into text in your Document. Text to Speech - With the Google Play Books app for Android, you can use the Read Aloud feature to have books and PDF’s spoken. This includes books from the Play store as well as PDF’s you upload yourself. |
Add-ons for Google Documents
Add-ons are third-party tools that can be installed to extend the features of Google Documents. Add-ons provide a wide range of new functions including tools for special needs.
To learn more about installing add-ons see this help guide or this video tutorial.
- Pupil Pref - link
An add-on that makes it easy to change the background color of a Google Doc to reduce visual stress
- Speech Recognition - link
Speech to text tool to use speech recognition to write your Google Docs documents.
Other resources
- My training video for “Google Tools for Special Needs” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYEgxpTu-rI
- Bring me to your organization: My training and consulting services - on-site or online - link
- All of my free training materials, help guides, presentations, videos, and more - link
© 2014-2016 - Eric Curts - ericcurts@gmail.com - www.ericcurts.com - plus.google.com/+EricCurts1 - @ericcurts
This document is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 3.0 United States license. For more information about this license see http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (In short, you can copy, distribute, and adapt this work as long as you give proper attribution and do not charge for it.)
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