Compatible with: Windows, Mac
What it does: Text-To-Speech tool that reads PDFs aloud
More information: Instructions on how to use the feature are available on the Adobe Accessibility Features page (this link leaves this site).
Cost: Free

Compatible with: Windows, Mac
What it does: Text-To-Speech reader feature embedded in Word
More information: Instructions on how to use the feature are available on the Microsoft website (this link leaves this site).
Cost: Free built-in feature in Microsoft Word

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Google Chrome
What it does: Simple to use text-to-speech reader. Reads PDFs, Bookshare files, and websites aloud. Built-in study tools and webpage simplification.
Cost: Free download for MWSU-approved students.
Additional steps: Contact us at arc@missouriwestern.edu so that we may activate your account.

Link to Application: Read & Write (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows, Mac
What it does: Text-To-Speech reader. Converts written text from PDFs, MS Word, and emails into spoken language.
More information: Find more information by visiting their website.
Cost: Free version available. Paid version up to $110 per year.

Link to Application: Natural Reader (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: Mac
What it does: Built-in screen reader. Allows complete control over the computer without needing to see the screen.
Cost: Free.

Link to Application: VoiceOver (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: Web-based
What it does: Web-based library of digital books in accessible formats.
More information: Books are available in the following formats: Daisy, BRF, MP3, Bookshare WebReader (customized reading tool for members).
Cost: Membership is free with a documented print disability. Contact ARC to get a free membership referral.

Link to Application: Bookshare (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Audiobooks
What it does: Access to nearly 80,000 titles, including world’s largest library of audio textbooks.
Cost: Annual membership fee of $135 per year.

Link to Application: Learning Ally (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Android, iOS
What it does: Open-source font created to increase readability to readers with dyslexia.
Cost: Free for commercial and personal use.

Link to Font: OpenDyslexic (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: iOS
What it does: Converts classroom papers and images to accessible documents, in a snap. Snap a picture of any document using your camera, or select any digital image from the Files app or Camera roll on your device, and Snap Verter will make it accessible. You can hear it read aloud instantly, or save it as an accessible PDF for exporting and sharing.
Cost: Free

Link to Application: Snap Verter (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows, iOS, Android
What it does: Accessible reading app
Cost: Free.

Link to Application: Dolphin Easy Reader App (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iOS, Android
What it does: Text-to-Speech to read documents. Choose from natural-sounding AI voices and set your speed.
Cost: Free version available. Paid version up to $139 per year.

Link to Application: Speechify (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
What it does: National library service for the Blind and Print Disabled. Contains downloadable books and magazines.
Cost: Free for eligible readers. Requires verification through the state library for the blind.

Link to Application: BARD: Braille and Audio Reading Download (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: Mac, iOS
What it does: Built-in dictation feature for Mac and iOS devices. Say out loud what you want to write, and it will convert your words into text.
More information: Instructions on how to use the feature are available on Apple Support – Mac (this link leaves this site) and Apple Support – iPhone and iPad (this link leaves this site).
Cost: Free

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Google Chrome
What it does: Simple to use speech-to-text. Has word prediction, spelling and grammar check, as well as thesaurus. Contains built-in study tools and webpage simplification.
Cost: Free download for MWSU-approved students.
Additional steps: Contact us at arc@missouriwestern.edu so that we may activate your account.

Link to Application: Read & Write (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
What it does: Robust dictation software that has specialized version for legal, medical, law enforcement, and other professional settings. They also offer other hardware so you can dictate without others nearby hearing your notes.
Cost: Price varies per product and device.

Link to Application: Dragon Speech Recognition (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: Google Chrome
What it does: Say what you want to write and it will convert your words into text. Have the option to speak punctuation or use the punctuation buttons to insert them.
Cost: Free

Link to Application: Voice Note II (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: iOS, Chromebook
What it does: Convert worksheets into an electronic document that you can type to answer questions.
Cost: Free version available. Paid version is $69.99.

Link to Application: Snap Type (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Mac, iOS
What it does: Ideament lets you easily draw a diagram – mind map, concept map, or flow chart – and convert it into a text outline or visa versa. Ideal for brainstorming new ideas, illustrating concepts, making lists and outlines, planning presentations, creating organizational charts, and more.
Cost: Free.

Link to Application: Ideament (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Web-based
What it does: Tool for mind mapping, brainstorming, and organizing ideas. Can help people who think and learn visually.
Cost: Free to $20 per year.

Link to Application: Popplet (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
What it does: Robust spelling and grammar checker. Will make suggestions for rephrasing sentences. Can help ensure you are using the correct word and spelling (example: there, their, and they’re).
Cost: Free version available. Paid version up to $84 per year.

Link to Application: Ginger (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
What it does: Communication assistance. Spelling, grammar, and tone checker. Clean up hard-to-read sentences.
Cost: Has a free version. $144 per year for Premium.

Link to Application: Grammarly (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Web-based
What it does: APA and MLA guide to writing. Work citation assistance and style guide. Avoid plagiarism.
Cost: Free.

Link to Application: Purdue OWL (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows
What it does: NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) is an open-source screen reader. Allows users who are blind or have low vision to access computers running Windows. Has the ability to run entirely from a USB drive with no installation.
Cost: Free

Link to Application: NVDA Screen Reader (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Mac
What it does: Built-in screen reader. Allows complete control over the computer without needing to see the screen.
Cost: Free.

Link to Application: VoiceOver (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: On-Campus Missouri Western computers.
What it does: Zoomtext and JAWS software work together now to navigate, magnify, and read text. This is accessibility software for users with low to no vision.
Additional Information: Missouri Western does maintain a site license and this can be installed on any on-campus computer.
Cost: $170 per year for a personal device.

Link to Application: Fusion (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows
What it does: JAWS, Job Access With Speech, is a full-screen reader that provides auditory feedback for navigating the computer and reading articles and documents. This is typically used by students who have significant vision loss.
Additional Information: Missouri Western does maintain a site license and this can be installed on any on-campus computer.
Cost: $95 per year for a personal device.

Link to Application: JAWS (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows
What it does: ZoomText Magnifier/Reader is a magnification program with limited text-to-speech functionality that enlarges and enhances everything on the computer screen. The reader also provides some screen reading capability. This is typically used by students who have mild to moderate vision loss.
Additional Information: Missouri Western does maintain a site license and this can be installed on any on-campus computer.
Cost: $85 per year for a personal device.

Link to Application: ZoomText Magnifier/Reader (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows
What it does: Built-in screen reader. Allows complete control over the computer without needing to see the screen.
Cost: Free

Link to Application: Narrator (link to outside website)

What it does: Allows access to calculations, including scientific calculators are available with large-print displays.
Cost: Prices vary

Link to Application: Talking Calculators (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Android, iOS
What it does: Synchronized note-taking and audio recording. Tap notes to seek in the audio, taking you instantly to what you want to hear. Automatic audio amp for recording in large classrooms.
Cost: $12.99

Link to Application: Audio Note (link to outside website)

Compatible with: iOS
What it does: Create, share, and manage notes. Combines handwriting, typing, audio recordings, and photos so that you can create notes that fit your needs.
Cost: $14.99 per year.

Link to Application: Notability (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: iOS
What it does: Assistive listening software. Processes sound received by the microphone on your device in real-time, then delivers the processed sound via headphones.
Cost: $6.99

Link to Application: AUD1 (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
What it does: Notes and captions. Record audio and time-sync notes, import slides, images, and more. Available online or offline.
Cost: Free trial, then $129 per year.

Link to Application: Glean (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
What it does: Create or upload notes, to-do lists, and images that sync across all of your devices.
Cost: Free to $129.99 per year with Plus and Premium versions containing additional features available.

Link to Application: Evernote (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Web-based
What it does: Allows you to type or draw on the page, and highlight key points of a pdf document. Increases accessibility to enable text-to-speech options. Can share documents and collaborate with others. Also works within virtual meeting platforms.
Cost: Free

Link to Application: Orbit Note (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Web-based
What it does: Allows users to take notes including text, lists, images, and audio. Text from images can be extracted using optical character recognition software.
Cost: Free

Link to Application: Google Keep (link to outside website)

What it does: Never take meeting notes again. Get transcripts, automated summaries, action items, and chat with Otter to get answers from your meetings.
Cost: Free version available. Paid version $10 per month.

Link to Application: Otter.ai (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Android v8, iOS 13+
What it does: The Desmos Graphing Calculator allows you to plot points, graph curves, evaluate functions, and much more. It is a 2D graphing calculator with an extremely capable app, as well as a beautiful, streamlined, intuitive interface.
Cost: Free

Link to Application: Desmos Calculator (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Android, iOS
What it does: Text to speech for those that don’t have a voice. Choose from natural sounding AI voices and set your own speed.
Cost: Free version available, paid version up to $139 per year.

Link to Application: Speechify (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Online Platform
What it does: Mobile app with open-source text-to-speech. Simply enter text and iSpeech will instantly read what you’ve written.
Cost: Free

Link to Application: iSpeech (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: iOS, Android
What it does: Augmentative and alternative communication that is easy to use and personalize; with natural sounding voice options.

Link to Application: Spoken (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Web-based
What it does: Create powerful learning tools, like interactive games, flashcards, and practice tests.
Additional Information: Mobile version also available.
Cost: Free

Link to Application: Quizlet (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Web-based, Youtube
What it does: Collection of micro-lectures and tutorials teaching mathematics, history, healthcare, finance, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, economics, cosmology, organic chemistry, American civics, art history, microeconomics, and computer science.
Additional Information: AI tutoring is also available.
Cost: Free.

Link to Application: Khan Academy (link goes to outside website) or Khan Academy Youtube Channel (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: Web-based
What it does: Simplified study guides can be created for a variety of subjects.
Cost: Free version available or upgrade to Plus for $24.99 per year.

Link to Application: Spark Notes (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Android, iOS
What it does: Create, download, and manipulate flashcards in “every subject under the sun.”
Cost: Free

Link to Application: gFlash+ (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Web-based, Android, Mac
What it does: Recreates the ambient sounds of a cafe to boost your creativity and help you work better.
Cost: Free

Link to Application: Coffitivity (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Web-based
What it does: Online platform to work collaboratively on ideas, you can track completed tasks and stay on top of projects.
Cost: Free version available. $8 a month for the upgraded version.

Link to Application: Notion (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
What it does: Allows you to manage and organize assignments, manage your calendar, set notifications for deadlines, and more.
Additional Information: Award-winning student planner.
Cost: Free version available. $10 per year for the upgraded version.

Link to Application: iStudiez Pro (link goes to outside website)

Compatible with: Android, iOS
What it does: Time management app based on the 30-minutes of work, 30-minutes of rest concept. May be particularly helpful for students with ADHD or who struggle with time management and focus.
Cost: Free

Link to Application: 30/30 (link to outside website)

Compatible with: Windows, Mac
What it does: Get a deep understanding of your work cycles and further improve productivity.
Additional Information: Based on the Pomodoro time management technique.
Cost: Free version available. $5 dollars per month.

Link to Application: Focus Booster (link to outside website)