What are accessibility tools?

Accessibility tools are ways we can use technology to better support our students. While this may be a Tier 1 support, it could also become Tier 2 or 3 depending on the product and student you are supporting. Issaquah School District has access to several tools. Please review the list here for some of the tools available to you and your students.

accessibility is more than a ramp graphic

Immersive Reader

What it is:

Larger font and spacing
Read aloud with speed options
Translation
Masking available (cover portions so they aren’t overwhelmed)
Streamlined look
Great for proofreading, literacy, comprehension
Use on websites with extension (on laptop not iPad)

Who is it for: Any student who would like to access it!

Who can support you: Your Ed Tech Lead or Ed Tech TOSA

Where to learn more:

The BNP posts

Microsoft

Why you might use it: Knowing how to use it or access it is important for supporting your students who may need to use it. It is available in several apps and products including Word, Forms, Canvas, Flip, and the Edge Browser. It supports students with reading and offers translation.

How to get started: Try opening it in Canvas (available on Pages) or in Word (online) and explore on your own. For more guided support, watch this video or make an appointment with your Ed Tech Lead or TOSA.

Speech-to-Text

What it is: Several applications allow students to use speech-to-text including Windows and Word. Students are able to enable this feature and speak directly into the computer or a microphone to capture their thinking in a word processor.

Who is it for: Any student can use it, but it might be part of a students 504 or IEP plan.

Who can support you: Your Ed Tech Lead, TOSA, or Assistive Technology Specialists

Where to learn more:

The BNP Post

Microsoft support

Windows 10 device

Why you might use it: You might support students who struggle with writing their ideas down but have a lot to say! Giving them this as an option opens the door to ideas without the limitation of typing.

How to get started: Provide a low-stakes opportunity for you and your student(s) to practice using this feature. Have them start with a few sentences to get a feel for how it works. You can request support from your Ed Tech Lead, Tech TOSA or the Assistive tech team.

Learning Ally:

What it is: An audiobook solution that provides students who struggle to read, due to a reading deficit, equitable access to all the books they need to and want to read, including curriculum-aligned textbooks and literature, popular fiction, and more. With an extensive library of human-read audiobooks and a suite of educator tools and resources, Learning Ally helps struggling readers become engaged, independent learners.

Who is it for:

Students qualify for Learning Ally if they meet one of the following criteria:

Student has a reading deficit and experiences any of the following:
- Struggles with decoding
- Struggles with fluency
- Struggles with reading comprehension

Student has a physical disability that prevents them from reading standard print:
- Blind or visually impaired
- Other physical disability
Teachers and other staff members familiar with the student’s reading ability may qualify a student. Students maintain their eligibility year to year. To qualify the student go into your Learning Ally account (available through ClassLink) and qualify the student. Here is a quick tip sheet – it takes just a minute or two.

Who can support you: More information about Learning Ally can be found on the district website. isd411.org>Academics>Digital Resources for Students or https://www.isd411.org/academics/learning-ally

*Teachers must have students assigned at least one class in Skyward for accounts to be created

Where to learn more: https://learningally.org/About-Us/Overview

Why you might use it: To support students who need audiobook adaptations, encourage reluctant readers, or provide equitable access to reading for students who qualify.

How to get started: This is accessed from ClassLink for students and teachers. Consider using the ClassLink app on a phone to easily access novels and books! Access this for more: Setting up Learning Ally.pdf

Read&Write

What it is: Read&Write is a literacy support tool that offers help with everyday tasks like reading text out loud, understanding unfamiliar words, researching assignments, and proofing written work.

Who is it for: Students who qualify for this service.

Who can support you: Request for access should be given to Assistive Technology Specialists Amanda Thrash or Maddy McAllen

Where to learn more: https://www.texthelp.com/products/read-and-write-education/

Why you might use it: Is an extension for the Chrome browser and provides students a variety of tools to support reading and writing.

How to get started: Check to see if a student qualifies for this feature and request access for them. Support on installing and using will then be provided. There are free versions of the tool as well but has more limited functionality. The initial priority is to assign accounts to students with an IEP or 504 plan, then other general education students who may benefit from having access to the tools the software provides (translation, vocab list generator, text-to-speech, word prediction, etc.)

Snap & Read

What it is: Read aloud (TTS) accessible and inaccessible text (OCR), simplify difficult vocabulary, and translate English into other languages. There is a Chrome browser extension for free with limited capabilities and a subscription version with more capabilities for students who qualify.

Who is it for: Students who qualify for this service.

Who can support you: Request for access should be given to Assistive Technology Specialists Amanda Thrash or Maddy McAllen

Where to learn more: https://learningtools.donjohnston.com/product/snap-read/

Why you might use it: To provide struggling students an option for more accessible text with features such as translation, color masking, study tools, and more.

How to get started: Provided for text-to-speech and are subscription-based licenses that are given on a case-by-case basis. Teachers should contact Assistive Technology Specialists Amanda Thrash or Maddy McAllen to see if students qualify for the service.

Other ways to support accessibility in your class:

Digital accessibility tools

Built-in screen reader
1. Reads full pages
2. Highlights paragraph
3. Highlights individual words
4. Adjustable speed rate and voice
5. Aids in tracking
Voice Typing (Speech to Text)
1. Great tool for hesitant writers who get hung up on typing
2. Useful for students who struggle with dyslexia or motor issues
3. Can be used in Office desktop apps and online (Dicatate)
4. Windows + H
Keyboard features
1. Alternate way of inputting information
2. Word prediction
3. Useful for students who struggle with keyboarding and navigating
Screen Navigation
1. Built-in cursor highlighter
2. No more lost cursors
3. Easy to turn o/off
Closed Captioning
1. Helpful for students who may experience hearing issues
2. Improves comp and fluency of second language
3. Helps locate info quickly in a video
Video Playback
1. YouTube settings gear in the video frame
2. Slow down video playback to better capture info
Helpful extensions
1. Mercury Reader - Removes ads and distractions
2. Custom Cursor
Dyselxia Fonts
1. OpenDyslexia
Platforms
1. Padlet
2. Ed puzzle
3. Flip grid
4. Nearpod
5. Epic
6. NewsELA
7. Actively Learn
Adding Audio to Test Questions

Other tools you might use (freemium options):

Actively Learn

What it is: Actively Learn is an e-reading platform that improves students’ reading comprehension and retention by empowering teachers to reach students inside a text. Teachers can customize instruction, provide real-time feedback, allow peers to collaborate, and get analytics on student performance. Features include:

Text-to-Speech
Dictionary
Translation
Chunking
Scaffolding
Annotation
Discussion
Formative Assessment
Metacognition
Media

Who can support you: Your Ed tech Lead or TOSA and your learning specialist.

Where to learn more:

The BNP Posts

Actively Learn

Why you might use it: You would like to provide reading support for students such as chunking reading, higher-level thinking questions, immediate feedback, translation and read-aloud options, and more!

How to get started: Use your Microsoft Office login to create a free account. Some features are only available with paid versions.

Where to Find Support

Assistive Technology Support from ISD:

https://www.isd411.org/programs-services/special-education/assistive-technology

Using Canvas to Support Accessibility and UDL: Equitable by Design: Your UDL + Canvas LMS Checklist