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Created page with "= Use Accessibility Tools and Software = Accessibility tools can enhance your digital experience by supporting various needs, such as reading text aloud, converting speech to text, and more. This guide covers key accessibility features across popular platforms, as well as useful library resources and tools for academic support. == Text-to-Speech Tools == Text-to-speech tools read on-screen text aloud, making it easier to consume information without needing to read dire..."
 
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= Use Accessibility Tools and Software =
{{AboxNew
| name = Use Accessibility Tools and Software
| learning = x
| instruction = x
| community = x
| summ = Use accessibility tools and software on your Riverdale devices
| maintained = MV
| year = 2024-2025
}}


Accessibility tools can enhance your digital experience by supporting various needs, such as reading text aloud, converting speech to text, and more. This guide covers key accessibility features across popular platforms, as well as useful library resources and tools for academic support.
Accessibility tools can help with reading text aloud, converting speech to text, and more. This guide covers key accessibility features across popular platforms, as well as useful library resources and tools for academic support.


== Text-to-Speech Tools ==
== 🔊 Text-to-Speech Tools ==
Text-to-speech tools read on-screen text aloud, making it easier to consume information without needing to read directly. This can be helpful for users with visual impairments, dyslexia, or those who prefer auditory learning.
Text-to-speech tools read on-screen text aloud, making it easier to consume information without needing to read directly. This can be helpful for users with visual impairments, dyslexia, or those who prefer auditory learning.


=== macOS ===
=== macOS ===
* macOS offers **VoiceOver**, a screen reader that speaks items on the screen and provides descriptions of what is happening.
macOS offers '''''Speak Selection''''' and '''''VoiceOver''''', screen readers that speak items on the screen and provide descriptions of what is happening.
* To enable text-to-speech:
  1. Go to **Apple Menu** > **System Preferences** > **Accessibility**.
  2. Select **Spoken Content** and customize options for spoken text.
* For more details, refer to Apple’s guide on [having your Mac speak text that’s on the screen](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/have-your-mac-speak-text-thats-on-the-screen-mh27448/mac).


=== Windows ===
To enable '''''Speak Selection''''', see Apple’s guide on [https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/have-your-mac-speak-text-thats-on-the-screen-mh27448/mac having your Mac speak text that’s on the screen].
* **Narrator** is Windows’ built-in screen reader, which provides text-to-speech for reading on-screen items.
 
* To enable Narrator:
To use '''''VoiceOver''''', see Apple's guide on [https://support.apple.com/guide/voiceover/welcome/mac using VoiceOver with your Mac].
  1. Open **Settings** > **Ease of Access** > **Narrator**.
  2. Customize Narrator settings based on your preferences.
* For full instructions, visit [Microsoft's Narrator support page](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/chapter-1-introducing-narrator-7fe8fd72-541f-4536-7658-bfc37ddaf9c6).


=== iPad ===
=== iPad ===
* iPads support **VoiceOver** and **Speak Screen** to read text aloud.
iPads support '''''VoiceOver''''' and '''''Speak Screen''''' to read text aloud. To enable this, see [https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/hear-whats-on-the-screen-or-typed-ipad9a247097/ipados Apple’s iPad accessibility guide].
* To activate:
 
  1. Go to **Settings** > **Accessibility** > **VoiceOver** or **Spoken Content**.
=== Windows ===
  2. Turn on **Speak Screen** and swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to have text read aloud.
'''''Narrator''''' is Windows’ built-in screen reader, which provides text-to-speech for reading on-screen items. To enable Narrator, see [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/chapter-1-introducing-narrator-7fe8fd72-541f-4536-7658-bfc37ddaf9c6#WindowsVersion=Windows_11 Microsoft's Narrator support page]
* For more details, see [Apple’s iPad accessibility guide](https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/hear-whats-on-the-screen-or-typed-ipad9a247097/ipados).


=== Chromebook ===
=== Chromebook ===
* Chromebooks offer **Select-to-Speak** for reading selected text aloud.
Chromebooks offer '''''Select-to-Speak''''' for reading selected text aloud. To enable this, see [https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9032490?hl=en Google’s Chromebook accessibility page].
* To activate:
  1. Open **Settings** > **Advanced** > **Accessibility** > **Manage Accessibility Features**.
  2. Enable **Select-to-Speak** and follow prompts to select text for playback.
* More information is available on [Google’s Chromebook accessibility page](https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9032490?hl=en).


== Speech-to-Text Tools ==
== 🗣️ Speech-to-Text Tools ==
Speech-to-text tools allow users to dictate text rather than typing, which can be beneficial for users with physical disabilities or those who find typing challenging.
Speech-to-text tools allow users to dictate text rather than typing, which can be beneficial for users with physical disabilities or those who find typing challenging.


=== macOS ===
=== macOS ===
* macOS provides **Dictation**, a feature that converts spoken words into text.
macOS provides '''''Dictation''''', a feature that converts spoken words into text. To use this feature, see Apple’s [https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac dictation support page].
* To use:
 
  1. Go to **Apple Menu** > **System Preferences** > **Keyboard** > **Dictation**.
=== iPad ===
  2. Enable **Dictation** and start speaking when prompted.
On the iPad, '''''Dictation''''' allows users to speak text instead of typing. To use this feature, see Apple’s guide on [https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/dictate-text-ipad55d35a41/ipados dictating text on iPad].
* For further details, refer to Apple’s [dictation support page](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac).


=== Windows ===
=== Windows ===
* Windows includes **Voice Typing**, allowing users to convert speech into text.
Windows includes '''''Voice Typing''''', allowing users to convert speech into text. To use this feature, see [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f Microsoft's voice typing support page].
* To activate:
 
  1. Press **Windows key + H** to open the voice typing tool.
=== Chromebook ===
  2. Start speaking, and the text will appear on the screen.
Chromebooks have a '''''Dictation''''' tool for converting speech to text. To use this feature, see [https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/12001244?hl=en Google’s Chromebook support page].
* Visit [Microsoft's voice typing support page](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f) for more information.
 
== 👀 Screen Magnification ==
Most operating systems and mobile platforms have a built-in screen magnification tool. This makes it easier to zoom in on content without having to zoom in and out of resources manually (i.e. ''websites''). This is particularly helpful to zoom in on buttons, menu items and more within the operating system.
 
=== macOS ===
Apple has a built-in accessibility tool called '''''Zoom'''''. There are full screen and picture-in-picture options (amongst others). To learn more about this, refer to [https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/zoom-in-on-whats-onscreen-mchl779716b8/mac Apple’s support article here for macOS Accessibility Zoom.]


=== iPad ===
=== iPad ===
* On the iPad, **Dictation** allows users to speak text instead of typing.
Apple has a built-in accessibility tool called '''''Zoom'''''. There are full screen and picture-in-picture options (amongst others). To learn more about this, refer to [https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/zoom-in-ipad9a245e3e/ipados Apple’s support article here for iPadOS Accessibility Zoom.]
* To activate:
 
  1. Tap the **Microphone** icon on the on-screen keyboard.
=== Windows ===
  2. Begin speaking to have your words converted into text.
Windows has a built-in accessibility tool called '''''Magnifier'''''. To learn more about this, refer to [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-magnifier-to-make-things-on-the-screen-easier-to-see-414948ba-8b1c-d3bd-8615-0e5e32204198#:~:text=Press%20the%20Windows%20logo%20key%20%2B%20Ctrl%20%2B%20M%20to%20open%20the,adjust%20the%20zoom%20level%20accordingly. Microsoft’s support article here for Magnifier.]
* See Apple’s guide on [dictating text on iPad](https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/dictate-text-ipad55d35a41/ipados) for more information.


=== Chromebook ===
=== Chromebook ===
* Chromebooks have a **Dictation** tool for converting speech to text.
ChromeOS has a built-in accessibility tool called '''''Full screen magnifier'''''. To learn more about this, refer to [https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/6320705? Google’s support article here for Full screen magnifier.]
* To enable:
 
  1. Open **Settings** > **Advanced** > **Accessibility** > **Manage Accessibility Features**.
== 🖱️ Voice Control & Navigation ==
  2. Turn on **Dictation** to use speech-to-text.
Most operating systems and platforms have built-in voice control and navigation options for accessibility. These features help navigate computers/mobile devices using one's voice (i.e. ''clicking on buttons, navigating through menus, etc.'').
* Learn more on [Google’s Chromebook support page](https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/12001244?hl=en).
 
=== macOS ===
Apple has built-in voice control for macOS called '''''Voice Control'''''. To learn more about this, refer to [https://support.apple.com/en-us/102225 Apple’s support article here for Voice Control on macOS]
 
=== iPadOS ===
Apple has built-in voice control for iOS and iPadOS called '''''Voice Control'''''. To learn more about this, refer to [https://support.apple.com/en-us/111778 Apple’s support article here for Voice Control on iOS/iPadOS]
 
=== Windows ===
Microsoft has built-in voice control for Windows 11 called '''''Voice Access'''''. To learn more about this, refer to [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/get-started-with-voice-access-bd2aa2dc-46c2-486c-93ae-3d75f7d053a4 Microsoft’s support article for Voice Access on Windows 11]
 
== 🛠️ Read & Write Extension (Chrome) ==
The '''''Read & Write''''' extension for Google Chrome offers comprehensive accessibility features such as text-to-speech, word prediction, and tools for Google Docs and web content. To install this extension:


== Read & Write Extension (Chrome) ==
# Visit the [https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/readwrite-for-google-chro/inoeonmfapjbbkmdafoankkfajkcphgd?hl=en-US Read & Write extension page]
The **Read & Write** extension for Google Chrome offers comprehensive accessibility features such as text-to-speech, word prediction, and tools for Google Docs and web content.
# Install the extension


* To install:
When you are in a Google Doc or on a compatible website, you'll be able to use the Read & Write extension's text-to-speech feature to read aloud page content. This tool is useful for students and faculty who need additional reading and writing support while using Chrome.
  1. Visit the [Read & Write extension page](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/readwrite-for-google-chro/inoeonmfapjbbkmdafoankkfajkcphgd?hl=en-US).
  2. Click **Add to Chrome** and follow the prompts to install.
* This tool is useful for students and faculty who need additional reading and writing support while using Chrome.


== Library Resources ==
== 📚 Library Resources ==
Riverdale’s library resources include tools for research, note-taking, and citation management that can assist in academic work:
Riverdale’s library resources include tools for research, note-taking, and citation management that can assist in academic work:


* **[Library Resources](https://howdoi.riverdale.edu/wiki/Access_Library_Resources)** – Access various databases and materials.
* [https://howdoi.riverdale.edu/wiki/Access_Library_Resources Library Resources] – Access various databases and materials.
* **[Padlet Resources](https://howdoi.riverdale.edu/wiki/Access_Padlet)** – Use Padlet for organizing and sharing ideas visually.
* [[Access Padlet|Padlet Resources]] – Use Padlet for organizing and sharing ideas visually.
* **[Canva Resources](https://howdoi.riverdale.edu/wiki/Access_Canva)** – Create presentations, posters, and other visual content.
* [[Access Canva]] – Create presentations, posters, and other visual content.
* **[NoodleTools Resources](https://howdoi.riverdale.edu/wiki/Access_NoodleTools)** – An excellent resource for managing citations and creating notecards for research projects.
* [[Access NoodleTools]] – An excellent resource for managing citations and creating notecards for research projects.


== Additional Support ==
== 💡 Additional Support ==
For further assistance with accessibility tools or library resources, reach out to the IT department or the library staff. They can provide personalized guidance on using these tools effectively for your educational needs.
For help with accessibility tools or library resources, reach out to the Tech department or the Library. They can provide tips and tricks on using these tools effectively for your work at Riverdale!