Use Accessibility Tools and Software

	Learning Instruction Community
Summary	Use accessibility tools and software on your Riverdale devices
Author	Maintained by Matthijs van Mierlo
Help	Get help with this article
Status	Up-to-date for the 2024-2025 school year.

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 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 offers Speak Selection and VoiceOver, screen readers that speak items on the screen and provide descriptions of what is happening.

To enable Speak Selection, see Apple’s guide on having your Mac speak text that’s on the screen.

To use VoiceOver, see Apple's guide on using VoiceOver with your Mac.

iPad

iPads support VoiceOver and Speak Screen to read text aloud. To enable this, see Apple’s iPad accessibility guide.

Windows

Narrator is Windows’ built-in screen reader, which provides text-to-speech for reading on-screen items. To enable Narrator, see Microsoft's Narrator support page

Chromebook

Chromebooks offer Select-to-Speak for reading selected text aloud. To enable this, see Google’s Chromebook accessibility page.

🗣️ 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.

macOS

macOS provides Dictation, a feature that converts spoken words into text. To use this feature, see Apple’s dictation support page.

iPad

On the iPad, Dictation allows users to speak text instead of typing. To use this feature, see Apple’s guide on dictating text on iPad.

Windows

Windows includes Voice Typing, allowing users to convert speech into text. To use this feature, see Microsoft's voice typing support page.

Chromebook

Chromebooks have a Dictation tool for converting speech to text. To use this feature, see Google’s Chromebook support page.

🛠️ 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:

1. Visit the Read & Write extension page
2. Install the extension

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.

📚 Library Resources

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

• Library Resources – Access various databases and materials.
• Padlet Resources – Use Padlet for organizing and sharing ideas visually.
• Access Canva – Create presentations, posters, and other visual content.
• Access NoodleTools – An excellent resource for managing citations and creating notecards for research projects.

💡 Additional Support

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!