Tools and Apps to Help at Home

This is a list of things you can do to make reading and writing easier when you are at home. Each section has a link to enable you to access it on Google, Apple, Microsoft or Android. Just click the one for the device that you use.

 Help with reading

1. Reading websites that will read out loud for you

2. Headaches or blurry vision when you read

Change the background colour or add a tint to the screen

Google Chrome 

• Colour overlay from Google Chrome to reduce the contrast. 

iPad/iOS  

• How to use Display Accommodations on iPhone and iPad. 

Microsoft Word  

• Add, change or delete the background colour in Word. 

Android  

• This will depend on the type of phone.

3. Making the writing bigger

Google Chrome 

• Change text, image and video sizes.

iPad/iOS  

• Use the ‘zoom’ function. 
• Using the iPad to support learners with visual difficulties. 

Microsoft Word  

• Change the font size https://support.office.com/en-gb/article/change-the-font-size-931e064e-f99f-4ba4-a1bf-8047a35552be

Android  

• Magnification – Android Accessibility Help. 
• Font size and display size – Android Accessibility Help. 

Help with writing

1. Speaking what you want to write (dictation)

Google Chrome 

• Google Docs Open a new document and click on ‘tools’ and select ‘ voice typing.

iPad/iOS  

• Speaking what you want to type (dictation) 

Microsoft Word 

• Dictate is an app you can download and add to Microsoft Word. 
• You can use a tool in Word to let you speak what you want to write. 

Android  

• Use Google voice typing. 

2. Help with new/tricky words and their meanings

• An excellent online dictionary with simple, easy to understand definitions is Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary.
• You can search by saying the word in the Merriam Webster dictionary, so spelling isn’t important. You can use it online or download the app for Apple and Android. 
• Merriam Webster Visual Dictionary – This uses images to help you remember word meanings. You can use it online or download the app for Apple and Android. 

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