Top 50 Windows-Based, Open Source, Assistive and Communications Technology
By:
Steve Jacobs, President
IDEAL Group, Inc.

Written in support of the Great Lakes ADA & Accessible IT Center’s ADA audio conference on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 from 1:00 - 2:30 pm Central Time.
1.	
Amaya (http://www.w3.org/Amaya/Amaya.html)
Amaya is a complete web browsing and authoring environment and comes equipped with a WYSIWYG style of interface, similar to that of the most popular commercial browsers. With such an interface, users do not need to know the HTML or CSS languages. 
2.	ACollab (http://www.atutor.ca/acollab/index.php)
ACollab is a fully accessible, open source, multi-group, Web-based collaborative work environment. ACollab is available as a work groups addon for ATutor 1.4+ , and as a standalone collaborative work environment that will run on its own. ACollab is ideal for groups working at a distance developing documentation, collaborating on research, or writing joint papers, and ideal for online educators who wish to add group learning activities to their ATutor courses. 
3.	AForm (http://www.atutor.ca/aform/index.php)
AForm is a utility used to create accessible online forms, tests, or surveys. Using this utility to create forms ensures that people with disabilities accessing the Web with assistive technologies will be able to read and use the forms as would any fully able individual. Use the demo to create your own accessible forms. Download AForm from the SourceForge Web site. 
4.	A-Prompt - Web Accessibility Verifier (http://www.aprompt.ca/)
Web authors can use A-Prompt to make their Web pages accessible to people with disabilities. The A-Prompt software tool examines Web pages for barriers to accessibility, performs automatic repairs when possible, and assists the author in manual repairs when necessary. These enhanced Web pages are available to a larger Internet audience.
5.	ATalker (http://www.atutor.ca/atalker/index.php)
ATalker is a Web-based text-to-speech utility, based on the Festival Text-to-Speech system. With synthesized speech ATalker can read text out loud over the Web. With the ATalker Theme installed, the ATutor interface and feedback messages can be read out loud. 
6.	ATutor  (http://www.atutor.ca/)
Atutor is an Open Source Web-based Learning Content Management System (LCMS) designed with accessibility and adaptability in mind. Administrators can install or update ATutor in minutes, and develop custom templates to give ATutor a new look. Educators can quickly assemble, package, and redistribute Web-based instructional content, easily retrieve and import prepackaged content, and conduct their courses online. Students learn in an adaptive learning environment. 
7.	AutoTextTyper (http://www.chaoticsoftware.com/ProductPages/AutoTextTyper.html)
AutoTextTyper is a contextual menu plugin that lets you quickly and easily add commonly used text, such as email addresses, web sites, postal addresses, etc... You can then select any of those items from the menu and have them automatically typed into any application that supports contextual minus. 
8.	Big  (http://www.big.com/)
An accessible search engine 
9.	Click-N-Type Speech Package v. 1.0 by Lake Software  (http://www.lakefolks.org/cnt/)
More than just fun, Typing Sounds provide audible feedback, you may select one of the "Spoken Keys" options, as well as normal typewriter sounds. The feature "speaks" the keys back to you, letting you know you've hit the correct key and documentation on how to create "Spoken Keys" is included with the Click-N-Type help file, so people can create their own. 
10.	Click-N-Type virtual keyboard  (http://www.lakefolks.org/cnt/)
v. 3.0 by Lake Software Windows® 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP
Click-N-Type is an on-screen virtual keyboard designed for anyone who needs help using a physical keyboard with special consideration for the severely handicapped. Full featured virtual keyboard, Word prediction and completion, Fully configurable including macros, AutoClick and Scanning Modes. Many language/keyboard packs available. Keyboard Designer and many user designed layouts included, Audible and visible feedback options, including Spoken Keys. Works with all pointing devices including head mouse and virtual mouse programs like Point-N-Click. Types into all programs including IE address boxes. Programs to administer user access available. 
11.	Click-N-Type virtual keyboard  (http://www.lakefolks.org/cnt/)
Click-N-Type is an on-screen virtual keyboard, giving access to the keyboard characters through the use of your mouse or other pointing device. 
12.	CNTDesigner v. 2.0.8 by Polital Enterprises  (http://www.polital.com/cntd/)
CNTDesigner is a keyboard layout designer designed to work in conjunction with Click-N-Type V3+ by Lake Software. The combination of CNTDesigner and Click-N-Type will give the user complete freedom to design their own keyboards, controlling size and placement of all keys as well as the overall size of the keyboard. If none of the standard keyboards provided by Click-N-Type suit your fancy, and the Custom Alphabet just doesn't have enough flexibility to meet your creative needs, then the keyboard designer CNTDesigner is the add-on you use to design your own keyboard layout. 
13.	Dasher (Speech) Documentation  http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/kv227/speechdasher/
A very unique speech recognition system bundled with Dasher 
14.	Dasher  (http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/dasher/)
Dasher is an information-efficient text-entry interface, driven by natural continuous pointing gestures. Dasher is a competitive text-entry system wherever a full-size keyboard cannot be used. Streaming video demonstration (1.5 mins asf). (http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/dasher/movies/20020520_demo.asf) The eye-tracking version of Dasher allows an experienced user to write text as fast as normal handwriting - 25 words per minute; using a mouse, experienced users can write at 39 words per minute.  A $128.95 Headtracker for an eye gaze system. Voice Buddy Interactive Voice Control Version 3.0  $39.95. (http://www.edimensional.com/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=94)
15.	Eventcorder   (http://www.eventcorder.com/)
Eventcorder records and plays back Windows events. With Eventcorder, a sequence of keystrokes and mouse-clicks can be implemented at the touch of a single button. 
16.	EzMagnifier v. 1.2 by Ancient Software  (http://www.ancientsoft.com/ezmagnifier.htm)
EzMagnifier is a small utility to magnify a portion of the screen where you can choose the zooming factor and you can resize the magnified portion itself to suite your needs. You can capture the image of the magnified area and the program saves it in the same folder of the program and you can save multiple captures as the program save them sequentially. 
17.	FatBits (http://www.digitalmantra.com/fatbits/)
Fatbits magnifies an area of the screen and paints the giant pixels into a new window, which may be useful if you have a visual impairment. To make the screen even more accessible, you can modify the colours it displays. 
18.	Google Desktop  (http://desktop.google.com/index.html)
Google Desktop gives you easy access to information on your computer and from the web. It's a desktop search application that provides full text search over your email, computer files, music, photos, chats and web pages that you've viewed. By making your computer searchable, Google Desktop puts your information easily within your reach and frees you from having to manually organize your files, emails and bookmarks. It makes searching your computer as easy as searching the web with Google. 
19.	G-TalkSearch  (http://desktop.google.com/plugins/i/gtalksearch.html)
G-TalkSearch is a plug-in for Google desktop search. It is an innovative piece of binary (.Net CLR Binary) written to enable people with disabilities to use Google desktop search. Well not only people with disabilities, but a lot of ohter fun loving people who want to talk with Google desktop search can use this. Use Google desktop search with your voice. Command it and it takes you to webpages, cache files etc...  To use it you MUST download all of the following, additional, files or else Program does not work. Net Framework 1.1; Speech SDK 5.1; from http://www.microsoft.com/speech/download/sdk51/; Google Desktop Search; MS Agent Components and Tools including:
-MSAgent.exe
-Microsoft Agent character files : Genie.acs
-Text-to-speech engines: http://activex.microsoft.com/activex/controls/agent2/tv_enua.exe
-SAPI 4.0 runtime support: Spchapi.exe
-Speech recognition engines: actcnc.exe
-Speech control panel: Spchcpl.exe
All of the above are available in the Microsoft page
- http://www.microsoft.com/MSAGENT/downloads/user.asp 
20.	HELP Read™: the Freeware Reader Project   (http://www.helpread.com/)
HELP Read™ is FREE software that reads along with you while you do the reading.  Whether you’re younger or older, new to reading or have your own library, HELP Read™ should be able to help you read more and understand more of what you read. 
21.	iZoom Screen Magnifier  (http://www.issist.com/index.asp?page=home)
Redefine your computing experience with iZoom, a Professional Grade Screen Magnifier and Reader built into a single application. Magnify your screen anywhere from 1.5 to 16 times while having it read out to you, all ready with color/cursor enhancements and image smoothing. 
22.	Joystick 2 Mouse 3   (http://www.tucows.com/preview/292788)
Joystick 2 Mouse lets you control your mouse and keyboard using your joystick or gamepad. 
23.	MathPlayer   (http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathplayer/)
MathPlayer converts mathematical expressions embedded in web pages into speech. Text-to-speech generators (which are useful if you want to use the computer but cannot read) may not always recognise mathematical expressions, but MathPlayer will speak them in a meaningful way. 
24.	Microsoft Producer for Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003   (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1b3c76d5-fc75-4f99-94bc-784919468e73&DisplayLang=en)
Microsoft Producer 2003 for PowerPoint 2003 is the next release of this very popular add-in for PowerPoint 2003 and PowerPoint 2002. Producer 2003 provides users with many powerful new features that make it easier to synchronize audio, video, slides, and images to create engaging and effective rich-media presentations. Producer 2003 gives content and media professionals, as well as everyday PowerPoint users a host of new content authoring features. 
25.	Mouse Smoothing Software  (http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/mousesmoothing)
Mouse Smoothing Software is assistive software for people with hand tremor. It is intended primarily for individuals with Essential (non-specific) Hand Tremor who have difficulty using a computer mouse. Significant improvement has been found for people who can basically control their hand, apart from a moderate degree of tremor. 
26.	Mouse Wrap                                                                     (http://www.ex-d.net/products/utils/mousewrap/default.asp)
This software makes the mouse pointer circulate around the screen instead of stopping at the edges, therefore moving the pointer requires less movement by you. 'Movement pattern recognition' also gives you access to custom actions e.g. cut and paste. 
27.	MouseCam v. 1.0 by Camtech Software   (http://camtech2000.net/Pages/Useful.html)
Have you ever been to a web site or tried to read documents where they used a font so small you had to really strain your eyes to read it?  Or have you ever wanted to get greater detail of a graphic?  MouseCam is a free small utility that magnifies anything your cursor is over up to 20x normal size.  Win95/98/Me/Win2K/XP 
28.	MQA Spell Checker   http://www.quinion.com/mqa/spell.htm
Spell Checker checks the spelling of any edit control in almost any application under Windows 3.1/95/98. The program was designed to run under Windows 3.1. Though it will operate under Windows 95/98, it is not compatible with later versions (2000, ME, XP). 
29.	NaturalReader  (http://www.naturalreaders.com/)
NaturalReader is software that converts any text into incredibly clear, high-quality, natural sounding voices. Integrated with the latest One-Click technology, NaturalReader reads text directly from other applications, without copying or pasting. Unique powerful output function can easily convert very large text files into MP3 or WAV files for use on portable devices like iPod, CD players and PocketPCs.      
30.	Number Navigator
A program that assists those with fine motor problems to set out columnar arithmetic, without the need for a spreadsheet. 
31.	Please Read  (http://www.readplease.com/)
ReadPlease 2003 (Free Edition) offers full support for all Microsoft voices, reads text via Windows clipboard from any program, Adjustable voice speed (rate) and more. 
32.	Point-N-Click v. 2.4.18 by Polital Enterprises Windows®   95/98/NT4.x/Me/2000/XP   (http://www.polital.com/pnc/)
Point-N-Click is a FREE stand-alone on-screen virtual mouse designed for anyone with a disability that makes it difficult or impossible to click a physical computer mouse. As long as they can move a mouse, trackball or other pointing device, they can send mouse clicks to virtually any Windows application or DOS application that can run within a window and even many that are full screen. 
33.	Power Talk   (http://fullmeasure.co.uk/powertalk/)
PowerTalk automatically speaks any presentation or slide show running in Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows. You just download and install PowerTalk and while you open and run the presentation as usual it speaks the text on your slides. The advantage over other generic 'Text To Speech' programs is that PowerTalk is able to speak text as it appears and can also speak hidden text attached to images. Speech is provided by the standard synthesised computer voices that are provided with Windows. 
34.	pVoice 2.1   (http://www.pvoice.org/showpage/en/pvoice)
pVoice is an application for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).Disabled people who cannot speak and have very little possibilities to operate a computer can use pVoice by selecting photo's or symbols to generate speech output. Common symbol languages like PCS, Bliss or 'Vijfhoek' can be used with pVoice. You need to purchase these symbol-libraries from the respective manufacturers though. If you want a cheap solution, you can download symbols from the Picto-archive (dutch) For your convenience I created a zipfile of the pictos from this site, which you can also download from the download page.  pVoice 2.1 is available in English, Dutch, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Croatian, Turkish, Brazilian Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Russian, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese (the free Text To Speech 'engine' is not available for all of these languages, see the link to the Microsoft Agent page at the Support page) and is distributed with an emtpy database. You'll have to define your own Themes (categories) and symbols representing words within these themes. This however is an easy task. It's also possible to import data from previous pVoice versions into pVoice 2.1. 
35.	Rapidkeys v. 2003 by Lucian Velea   (http://rapidkeys.netfirms.com/en/index.htm)
RapidKeys intelligent virtual keyboard is an application intended to replace the keyboard by using a pointing device (mouse, trackball or similar device). Virtual keyboards are ideal for people with physical disabilities or for systems without a keyboard. RapidKeys is a virtual keyboard with some special features - it learns from what the user types and contextually suggests words that can be typed with a single click to obtain a greater speed of typing. It has user-defined autoexpandable abbreviations & a similar mechanism is used for names. An optional AutoCaps mechanism detects the end of sentences and temporarily switches for one capital letter. 
36.	Reader's Pal 3.1   (http://www.geocities.com/readerspal/)
Intended to ease reading on a computer monitor by displaying text in large fonts in foreground an background colors of the user's choosing. Works with Microsoft's Text-to-Speech, reads web pages from the Internet and let you browse text-only. 
37.	RemoteKeys  (http://www.freewarehits.de/RemoteKeys.htm)
RemoteKeys can automate complex control systems, but also simple jobs like inserting text passages into Word and Emails. Automation allows complex sequences of keystrokes and mouse clicks to be carried out at the touch of a button. 
38.	ShortKeys Lite    (http://www.shortkeys.com/lite.htm)
Shortkeys Lite allows you to set up replacement text or paragraphs for any given number of user defined keystrokes. If you type a few characters, ShortKeys Lite will replace them with up to 3000 characters. If you find typing difficult then Shortkeys will make it more automatic. 
39.	Super Magnify v1.2   (http://www.theabsolute.net/sware/#smagnify)
Super Magnify allows you to magnify portions of your screen up to 15 times. The program includes a special interpolation routine to maintain details when magnifying, as well as the ability to magnify the mouse cursor. In addition, Super Magnify displays your (x, y) pixel coordinates on the screen, and the RGB values corresponding to the cursor's position. 
40.	Switch Access To Windows                                                     (http://ace-centre.hostinguk.com/index.cfm?pageid=83216478-D613-62F1-C85EEB3021CA6B57)
Software that enables Windows to be controlled by one or two switches,a joystick, a trackerball or a headpointer. This new upgraded version of SAW has many additions and feautures to make creating interfaces easy for those who use alternative inputs. 
41.	Symbol & ConceptCoding Editor 
Building a Symbol and ConceptCoding Editor for CMS, based on CCF(ConceptCodingFramework). Also building tools for ConceptCoding administration (perhaps in another project). 
42.	Table Reader    (http://www.dvlop.nl/exsoft/pages/tablerdr.htm)
eXsoft is proud to launch a program that will make life much easier for visually impaired people: Table Reader! Table Reader is a first-of-it’s-kind program that allows visually impaired people to read even the most extensive tables in Excel, without time-consuming and laborious scrolling or searching. Simply select what you need from the top row and the first column and you’ll have the corresponding value in a flash. This program is practically unlimited – as long as the basic idea of a table is being used! This will give blind or visually impaired people  possibility’s never experienced before, when using the Table Reader they can participate in economy, geography, science, physics, math, and so on, for the table part – this solution takes one of the biggest obstacles away for the blind! 
43.	Talking Messenger   (http://www.talkingmessenger.com/)
Always wanted to hear your Windows Messenger™ messages out loud? Talking Messenger will do just that! It even notifies you when your friends are on- or offline. 
44.	TouchCD - Switch CD Player   (http://fullmeasure.co.uk/touchcd/)
A very simple switch controlled CD player 
45.	VirtualDub   (http://www.virtualdub.org/)
Freeware (Open Source). Linear Video Editing System with captioning capabilities. 
46.	Virtual Magnifying Glass   (http://magnifier.sourceforge.net/)
Virtual Magnifying Glass is an easy-to-use screen magnification tool for Windows. 
47.	Vischeck   (http://www.vischeck.com/)
Vischeck is a way of showing you what things look like to someone who is colorblind. 
48.	VobSub   (http://www.free-codecs.com/download/VobSub.htm)
Freeware (Open Source). Plug-in for VirtualDub for Closed Captioning manipulation. 
49.	Web Adaptation Technology   (http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/wat)
Web Adaptation Technology makes the Web easier to navigate and read for seniors, people with disabilities, and special-education students. This is accomplished by making transformations and adaptations, according to personal preferences, during Web browsing. Specifically, Web Adaptation Technology assists users by enabling them to magnify the contents on a Web page and adjust font, image, and page layout to improve readability. Web Adaptation Technology also enables selected text to be read aloud, using a "text-to-speech" feature, and eases the typing of people who have difficulty with a keyboard (such as those with tremors or arthritis or who are recovering from a stroke) in part by detecting these errors and automatically adjusting the keyboard sensitivity to accommodate the typing. Available in nine languages, this software is in use by nonprofit organizations and schools around the world. 
50.	Webbie   http://www.webbie.org.uk/
WebbIE is a web browser for people who are blind and visually-impaired... especially those using screen readers. It is based on Microsoft's Internet Explorer to ensure that a maximum of sites work with it. It allows you access to the vast majority of webpages and tries to present all the information there simply and easily so you can explore and use the web fully.