Freeware/Shareware Inclusive Applications for Mac OS X

Note: Most of these apps are free or low cost (where there is a cost I’ve put an estimate).


Typing Tutors



Text to Speech


  • Say it Save it (speaks text files and saves them as MP3 files which can then be sent to iTunes)
  • iSpeakit – iSpeak It loads Word, PDF, Pages, RTF, AppleWorks, text and HTML documents. It downloads news, weather forecasts, driving directions, and arbitrary web pages as well as RSS feeds. iSpeak It then uses the Mac's text-to-speech engine and iTunes to convert the text into an MP3/AAC track $25AU
  • Speak to iTunes Audio Book – a Service (that appears in the Services menu) that operates on selected text. Select the plain text in your source location (text file, web page, email, etc.) and then select Services » Speak to iTunes Audiobook to speak the text into a track that will appear in the Audiobooks section of iTunes

Drawing/Painting


  • TuxPaint (drawing program similar to KidPix)

Hearing


  • CapScribe – Free application to create closed captions
  • MovCaptioner – Better program but will cost approx $30

Voice Recording


  • Audio Recorder – Free app to record your voice which is also VoiceOver compatible
  • Voice Candy – Has a fun side to it, however can be used to create Voice Notes in iTunes, send email, set alarm and the functionality to organise in folders. $15AU

Vision


  • LibLouis – Free app to convert text into Braille ready to be embossed
  • Emboss – Free Companion app to LibLouis, will send the Braille to Mountbatten Brailler
  • iStream – Free app which will create an MP3 file from a protected .aa which will then allow the file to be played on a DAISY device
  • VisioVoice – Expensive at $450 however, probably the best app if you have a student with a vision impairment or is blind
  • APhont – The best font for a Vision Impaired person, is now free
  • VoiceOver Tutorials - MP3 format (import into iTunes)
  • Olearia – is a free open source Macintosh based DAISY playback software under development at Curtin University Centre for Accessible Technology. When completed Olearia will offer the following features:
• Playback of DAISY 2.02, DIAYS/NISO 2002 and DAISY/NISO 2005 books.
• Playback of text only DAISY digital talking books. (Bookshare and NIAMS)
• Support for skippable content. (Notes and sidebars)
• Support for MacOS X features such as VoiceOver, braille displays and Spotlight.

Maths


  • Little Geometry – Free app designed for students with disabilities, in particular those students who find it difficult to grasp, it is a basic geometry toolkit
  • Magic Number Machine – Free app, this version of Magic Numbers has had its number pad buttons enlarged
  • Shape on you – Free app to design 2D/3D shapes

Science



Audio - iPod/iTunes


  • Join Together – Allows multiple audio tracks to be joined as one
  • iPod Shuffle Reset Utility (1st & 2nd Generation) – If a normal reset doesn’t fix a problem, this utility almost certainly will
  • Audio Workflow – Automator workflow to make format shifting from cassette to iTunes a little easier
  • Audio Workflow – Application version of the Automator workflow
  • Bookmarkable – A script which will make an audio track bookmarkable
  • Audiobook Builder – Import and organise audio books on CD into iTunes ready for iPod

Physical Assistance


  • Online Games – suitable for switch uses with puzzles, domino, memory games, games for precision, Sodoku, word exercises, drawing exercises and cause and effect games
  • Mira – Allows you to configure the Apple Remote to control any application or action on your Mac
  • Mercury Mover – Position application windows using keyboard rather than the mouse

Literacy


  • Dictionary Cleaner – Installs as a preference pane and allows you to add, remove custom spellings to the inbuilt spelling dictionary
  • Keep your word – Keep Your Word lets you build your own dictionary, classifying and grouping the terms exactly how you want to, while helping you to learn the longest list of words thanks to its different exercise modes

Miscellaneous


  • FreeMind – Free mind mapping software
  • MindNode – Another free mind mapping program
  • School House – Free app to assist students track homework tasks
  • Jing – Free app to capture images or videos, use to capture screen shots and then annotate to assist students visually
  • iProcrastinate – Free app for students to keep track of homework or projects
  • Tofu – Allows you to read any text in column format (also has a services option)