Mind Mapping Software

Inspiration & Mind jet’s Mind manager.
These are the two main programs that Needs Assessors recommend and that we train on.

Microsoft Word

With emphasis on Microsoft Word for studying and producing written work a great more support can be provided to help student break down information, providing colour changes to reduce fatigue and insertion boxes to support research and encourage active reading techniques.

Microsoft Outlook

With exacerbated stress to due to difficulties in executive functioning and Time Management, a thorough training session is provided to help with organisation, creating an online accessible diary and schedule planners combining to do lists with email technology

Screen Readers

Text Help’s Read & Write & ClaroRead

Text to Speech These programs can convert printed text into text that can be read out by the Computer. This in turn makes printed information a lot more accessible to a dyslexic student. These programs can also create audio files of processed text to speech, which can be used on Portable media players. Text to Speech also acts like a proof reading tool, allowing the dyslexic student to hear any grammatical mistakes they may miss when proof reading their own written work. Homophone and Spell Checker Like the spell checker in word check for some spelling mistakes, these programs analyse text for homophones and common spelling mistakes made by dyslexics and dyspraxics a like.

O.C.R (Optical Character Recognition) Software

O.C.R Software is usually used in conjunction with Screen readers.
ScanSoft's OmniPage is usually recommended by Assessors as it is currently a lot more accurate and versatile than the screen readers in built software.

Speech Recognition

Dragon Naturally speaking Version 9 is what most students are being provided with. The current version of the program does not need a lot of training to recognise the user’s voice. This program is usful for some students who have problems being able to express their ideas through writing whether due to dyslexia or other physical dissabilities, and allows them to dictate strainght into the machine.

Recording Devices

There are two types of recording/note taking devices that are recommended.
Currently they are Olympus DM20/DS 40 and Various Models of Minidisk recorders. We train on both. Recording devices are useful tools for students to help them make recordings of lectures, seminars and even idea that may spring to mind.