Texthelp Read&Write is an assistive technology tool designed to support literacy and learning by providing reading, writing, and comprehension assistance. Functions include reading text aloud, a phonetic spell checker, word prediction, a speaking dictionary and a scanning facility. It Supports students with dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning difficulties by providing reading and writing assistance.  More information can be found at the Texthelp higher education webpage. 

To access support for use of the software's student-focused support features, visit the  Texthelp coffee cup webinars . 

Texthelp EquatIO is a digital tool designed to help students create, edit, and understand mathematical equations and expressions more easily. It provides a range of features that make it accessible and user-friendly, especially for students who may have difficulties with traditional methods of writing or comprehending maths. More information and a free trial can be accessed via the Equatio website.

MindView is a comprehensive mind mapping and visual learning tool designed to help students organise their thoughts, brainstorm ideas, and structure academic content effectively. It provides a range of features that support both learning and productivity, making it suitable for students of all ages and academic levels. Free trials and more information can be found on the Mindview homepage.

Dragon Naturally Speaking is a speech recognition software that converts spoken words into text, making it easier for students to complete writing tasks, control their computers, and interact with digital content using their voice. It is especially beneficial for students with learning difficulties, physical impairments, or those who prefer an alternative to typing. Access is available in the Group Study Rooms at the McClay Library, along with compatible headsets, a member of staff at the library can assist you. More information can be found on the Dragon homepage.

Zoom Text Magnifier/Reader allows users with a visual impairment to access a PC through screen magnification and voice synthesizer feedback. The software enables users to see and hear what they are doing in all PC applications; Zoom Text is able to read documents, web pages and email - which the user is able to listen to using headphones or the computer's speakers. More information can be found at Freedom Scientific. 

JAWS (Job Access With Speech) is a powerful screen reader software designed for students who are blind or have severe visual impairments. It enables them to access and interact with digital content on their computers using auditory feedback and keyboard shortcuts. JAWS translates on-screen information, such as text, menus, and commands, into speech or Braille output, making it possible for students to navigate the digital world independently. More information can be found at Freedom Scientific. 

The Zoom-Ex Scanner is an assistive technology device designed to support students with visual impairments or learning disabilities by providing fast and accessible scanning, reading, and magnification of printed text and images. It combines a high-resolution camera with software that converts printed materials into digital text, which can then be magnified, read aloud, or saved for later use. This makes it easier for students to access and interact with textbooks, worksheets, handouts, and other printed documents. More information can be found at VisionAid. 

• A desktop CCTV text magnifier
• Height adjustable desks
• Ergonomic roller ball mouse
• Ergonomic keyboards

Microsoft Lens is a mobile application designed to help students capture, annotate, and organize documents, whiteboards, and other physical materials using their smartphones or tablets. By utilising the camera on their devices, students can easily digitize printed content and handwritten notes, making it a valuable tool for study and organization.  This is a free app available on both Android and IOS platforms.

Read&Write for Google Chrome includes a Screenshot Reader feature, which is particularly helpful for students with dyslexia or other learning difficulties. This tool allows users to take a screenshot of inaccessible or non-selectable text, such as text in an image or a PDF, and have it read aloud. The Screenshot Reader uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to convert the captured text into speech. This is especially useful for reading scanned documents or online content that cannot be highlighted and read with standard text-to-speech tools.

Built-in voice recognition capabilities on Windows and Apple devices are powerful tools that enable students to interact with their computers and perform tasks using their voices. These features enhance accessibility and can improve productivity, making them valuable for all students, especially those with physical disabilities or learning challenges. For more information visit Microsoft or Apple. 

Speech-to-Text (Voice Recognition) Is an easy-to-use speech synthesis and recognition tool for your browser. Speech to Text (Voice Recognition) is an extension that helps you convert your speech to text. It can recognise a wide variety of languages and related dialects. 

Speechnotes is a lightweight extension designed for fast, accurate voice typing, making it useful for quick note-taking and general use on most websites​

FreeMind is a free, open-source mind mapping software designed to help students visually organize their thoughts, ideas, and information. Mind mapping is a technique that allows users to create diagrams representing concepts, tasks, or topics in a hierarchical structure. FreeMind enables students to brainstorm, plan projects, and improve their study habits through visual representation. 

Evernote is a note-taking and organisational application designed to help students manage their notes, tasks, and projects in a digital format. It allows users to capture ideas, create to-do lists, and store various types of content, such as text, images, audio recordings, and web clippings. Evernote is particularly useful for students looking to streamline their study processes, keep track of assignments, and enhance their overall productivity. 

Smartphones have become powerful tools that can function as dictaphones, allowing users to record audio notes, lectures, interviews, and more. This capability provides a convenient and efficient way for students and professionals to capture spoken information without the need for separate recording devices.

Grammarly is a digital writing assistant designed to help students improve their writing skills by providing real-time feedback on grammar, punctuation, style, and clarity. It is particularly useful for academic writing, essays, and assignments, ensuring that students produce clear, coherent, and error-free text. Grammarly can be accessed through a web browser, desktop app, and mobile devices, making it a versatile tool for students. 

Read&Write for Google Chrome is a browser extension designed to support reading, writing, and literacy by providing a suite of assistive tools for students. It also includes a Screenshot Reader feature, which is particularly helpful for students with dyslexia or other learning difficulties. This tool allows users to take a screenshot of inaccessible or non-selectable text, such as text in an image or a PDF, and have it read aloud. The Screenshot Reader uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to convert the captured text into speech. This is especially useful for reading scanned documents or online content that cannot be highlighted and read with standard text-to-speech tools.

NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free and open-source screen reader designed to provide access to computer systems for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. It enables students to use their computers effectively by converting text displayed on the screen into synthesized speech or Braille output. NVDA is a valuable tool in educational settings, ensuring that all students can access digital content and participate fully in their learning environments. For more information visit  NV Access.

TapTapSee is a mobile application designed to assist individuals with visual impairments by providing visual recognition technology. The app helps users identify objects, products, and even text by using the camera on their smartphones. For students with visual disabilities, TapTapSee offers valuable support in their daily activities and educational environments, promoting independence and enhancing learning experiences. 

Windows OS Magnifier and Mac Zoom are built-in accessibility features designed to assist individuals with visual impairments by enlarging content on the screen. These tools help students with low vision or visual disabilities access digital information more easily and comfortably. For more information visit Microsoft or Apple. 

Vox Sciences is an innovative educational technology that provides a suite of tools and resources designed to enhance learning experiences for students, particularly those with learning disabilities or who require additional support. It focuses on improving literacy skills through various features aimed at helping students read, write, and engage with educational content more effectively. 

EasyBib is an online citation tool designed to help students create accurate citations for their research papers, essays, and projects. It simplifies the citation process, allowing students to focus on their writing and research without getting bogged down by the complexities of different citation styles. EasyBib is particularly useful for students who need to adhere to specific formatting guidelines and want to ensure their sources are properly credited. 

Cite This For Me is an online citation tool designed to help students create accurate and properly formatted citations for their research papers, essays, and other academic projects. The platform simplifies the citation process, making it easier for students to credit their sources and adhere to various citation styles. 

Mathway is an online math problem solver and educational tool designed to help students with a wide range of math concepts, from basic arithmetic to advanced calculus. It provides step-by-step solutions to math problems, making it a valuable resource for students looking to understand mathematical concepts, complete homework assignments, or prepare for exams. 

Stay on Task is an extension that greatly increases your productivity. It combines a site-blocker with a to-do list, two crucial components to keep you on task. If you try and access a site on your block-list, you are instead redirected to your to-do list.

Google Keep is a note-taking and reminder app that integrates seamlessly with other Google services. It allows users to create to-do lists and set reminders based on time or location, organise notes with labels and colors for easy reference, collaborate with others, which is great for shared projects or accountability and use voice commands to add reminders, making it accessible for those who prefer verbal input.

Habitica is a gamified task management app that can be particularly beneficial for individuals with neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD, autism, or other executive functioning challenges. The app turns daily tasks, habits, and goals into a role-playing game (RPG) format, where users earn rewards for completing tasks and build habits over time.

Forest is a unique productivity app designed to help users stay focused and manage distractions by gamifying the process of staying on task. It encourages concentration and mindful use of time by allowing users to grow a virtual forest while avoiding distractions like social media or unnecessary phone use.

Time Timer is a visual timer designed to help people manage time more effectively by showing the passage of time in a highly visual and intuitive manner. It's a tool frequently used to support individuals with executive functioning challenges, ADHD, autism, or other neurodiverse conditions. The device works by representing time as a decreasing coloured disc, making the abstract concept of time more concrete and easier to understand.

Tiimo is a visual planning and scheduling app designed to support neurodiverse individuals, such as those with ADHD or autism, in managing their daily routines and tasks. It provides a highly customisable and intuitive platform for creating visual schedules, reminders, and to-do lists. The app is handy for people who benefit from visual cues and structured routines to enhance their executive functioning skills.

Be Focused is a productivity app designed around the Pomodoro Technique, a time management method that involves breaking work into intervals (traditionally 25 minutes) followed by short breaks. This method can be beneficial for individuals with neurodiverse conditions, such as ADHD, autism, or other executive functioning challenges. It offers a structured approach to time management and helps with focus, task initiation, and completion.

Pomodor a free app using the Pomodoro Technique which is a time management method that helps improve productivity and focus. It was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s and involves breaking work into short intervals called Pomodoros, traditionally 25 minutes long, followed by a short break. 

The QUB DigiHub is a digital innovation centre that supports students, staff, and community partners in leveraging technology to enhance learning, research, and collaboration. The Digi Hub serves as a creative and inclusive space where members of the university community can access cutting-edge digital tools, resources, and expertise to develop innovative solutions for a variety of disciplines. The hub prioritises accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that all students, regardless of background or ability, can benefit from its offerings.

Visit the DigiHub to explore AI resources and digital learning support. 

Visit the AI and Accessibility, Student Digital Learning and Canvas and Accessibility for Staff pages for more information and accessible resources.