Free AT Software |
All software programs listed on this links page are free downloads. I have not included "Shareware" programs which are free to download but you must later pay a fee or the program is not functional after a certain time period. There are also many programs which will allow you to freely download a demonstration version with a limited demo period. I have not included these in this list. All of these various adpative programs are completely free. There may be some limitations in terms of total function. I have tried to include an explanation of these limitations as applicable. Some programs are not identifiable as "adaptive" software but I have included them because of their overall potential. Unless otherwise indicated, assume that all programs are PC based and are designed to run on a version of Windows operating system.
| Click here for information on freeware for Macs |
"Open Source" software means that the program is not only free, but the source code is available to anyone for alteration or improvement. If you are interested, be sure to check out: OATSOpen source Assistive Techology
Software Full MeasureOpen Source Assistive Technology Sofware
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Some other sites that offer good information on Assistive Technology programs that are free: 1 Stop for Free Assistive TechnologyGreat list of software. Magnifiers.orgSite dedicated to screen magnification. Has a number
of links to freeware magnifiers.
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1ClickZoom
A free screen mangification utility. It uses the magnifier
program that is built-in to Windows but eliminates the problems of Windows
Magnifier (example: strewing your icons all over the desktop).
http://www.1clickzoom.com/
AAC Keys
AAC Keys is a keyboard and mouse emulation program for
Microsoft Windows-based (replaces Microsoft's SerialKeys) and Macintosh
computers. AAC Keys receives commands through your computer's serial port
and translates them into keystrokes and mouse movements, giving you full
control of your computer from another device such as an AAC system.
http://www.aacinstitute.org/Resources/ProductsandServices/
AACKeys/AACKeys.html
Another Lens
Free software displays a magnified view of the area of
the mouse cursor.
http://www.b-zone.de/software/lens.htm
AMIS
An open source software program that you can use to read
DAISY books. AMIS is a multilingual player for reading books complying with
DAISY standards.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/amis/
Audio Enriched Links
Before a user follows a hyperlink, the open source Audio
Enriched Links software presents a spoken summary of the next page including
its title, its relation to the current page, statistics about its content,
and some highlights from its content.
http://www.mindtrove.info/oss/ael.html#download
AutoHotKey
An open source macro style program that can re-map the
mouse, keyboard and joystick functions as well as automate pretty much anything!
Knowledge of macros is important to be able to use this program.
http://www.autohotkey.com/download/
AutoIt
Freeware scripting language designed for automating the
Windows GUI and general scripting. It uses a combination of simulated keystrokes,
mouse movement and window/control manipulation in order to automate tasks
in a way not possible or reliable with other languages.
http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/
Big Calculator
Open source utility that has large print. You can control
the size of the print by changing the width of the calculator window. You
can either click on the buttons with the mouse or use the numeric keypad
to perform calculations.
http://sensorysoftware.com/bigcalculator.html
Big Clock
A big digital clock which you can use in place of the default
clock that comes with Windows.
http://www.phy.uni-bayreuth.de/%7ebtp344/bigclock/index.html
Big-Cursors
This Free software allows you to enlarge thecursor. Each
of the enlarged cursors are the maximum of 32 by 32 pixels.
http://rbx.de/big-cursors/
Born to Run
Born To Run is a program very much like the Windows Run
dialog. Since it`s a standalone application, it can be run from anywhere
on your desktop, with almost any key combination, unlike the Windows Run
dialog, which can only be run from the Start menu. You can also only type
the file name (without the extension) for 17 common extensions.
http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/Born_To_Run/borntorun.html
CCT Solitaire
Free accessible Solitaire game from CrissCross Technologies.
http://www.crisscrosstech.com/brosol.html
CHIP Speaking
An open source desktop augmentative communication device
that supports up to 99 messages. Users can record in their own voice (or
care-givers can record the voice of someone else of the same gender and
age) or take advantage of computerized voices.
http://members.aol.com/chipspeaking/index.html
ClickAid
This free program is a stand-alone on-screen mouse aid
designed for anyone who has difficulty switching between mouse buttons or
double clicking on a physical computer mouse.
http://polital.com/ca/
CLiCK, Speak
CLiCk, Speak is an open source, freely available extension
for the Firefox web browser. It is part of the CLC-4-TTS Suite of products,
it features a mouse driven interface, and it reads web pages - hence its
name.
http://clickspeak.clcworld.net/downloads.html
Click-N-Type
Click-N-Type is an excellent, freeware, on-screen virtual
keyboard designed for anyone with a disability that prevents him or her
from typing on a physical computer keyboard. From the good people at Lakefolks.org.
http://www.lakefolks.org/cnt/#Download
ClipTalk
A free TTS (text-to-speech) utility that automatically
speaks text that is copied to the Windows clipboard.
http://fullmeasure.co.uk/cliptalk/
CNTDesigner
A free keyboard layout designer. It is designed to work
in conjunction with Click-N-Type Version 3 by Lake Software. Using this
software program you can custom design a keyboard.
http://polital.com/cntd/
Dasher
Dasher is an open source, information-efficient, text-entry
interface, driven by natural continuous pointing gestures. This program
is unlike other letter or word prediction programs. Odd at first, but very
intuitive.
http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/dasher/Download.html
DeskTop Zoom
A zoom/magnify utility with lots of options. Available
from many freeware sites.
http://users.telenet.be/littlegems/MySoft/Index.html
Dragnifier
The "Quick Dragging Magnifier" = Dragnifer. This
is a screen magnifying utility.
http://www.halley.cc/stuff/dragnifier.html
DSpeech
An open source TTS (Text To Speech) program with functionality
of ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition) integrated. It is able to to read
aloud the written text and choose the sentences to be pronounced based upon
the vocal answers of the user.
http://dimio.altervista.org/eng/
Dwell Click
Dwelling is resting the mouse over one area of the screen
for a specified time. The Dwell Click free software allows you to perform
left-click, right-click and double clicks, and even drag things around the
screen. Works well with a headborne mouse emulator system or an oral joystick
like Jouse or QuadJoy.
http://sensorysoftware.com/dwellclicker.html
EdWord and EdWeb
EdWord is an open source, talking word processor that allows
you to combine text with symbols. EdWeb is a talking web browser that can
display web pages as a combination of text and symbols. Other programs,
Symbol Set Maker and Grid Maker, which are used to develop EdWord are downloadable
from the same web page.
http://www.deafblindonline.org.uk/software.html#ee
EmacSpeak 1.0
Open source screen reading program Emacspeak provides complete
eyes-free access to daily computing tasks. This software is meant to run
on a Linux OS on an EMac computer.
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=2238
EscapeClose
Mouse use reducer...EscapeClose is a tiny utility, that
allows you to close or minimize the currently active window by pressing
the Esc button.
http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/EscapeClose/escapeclose.html
E-Triloquist
This is an excellent Text To Sppech (TTS) program that was designed for persons with ALS that have lost the ability to speak. It works very well as a text to speech program but also has great editing and configuring capbilities. Users can easily create and save their own phrases.
http://www.etriloquist.com/
Eventcorder
Free software 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.
http://www.eventcorder.com/ec_downloads.htm
Everyday Skills
A switch-activated software that supports teachers in teaching
the young people who are deafblind in learning everyday skills.
http://www.deafblindonline.org.uk/software.html#sf
EZMagnifier
A small, free 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.
http://www.ancientsoft.com/ezmagnifier.htm
FastKake
FastKake will create a set of handy and useful shortcuts
which will give you full control of Windows and simplifycomputing. Example...an
shortcut to open and close your cd drive.
http://www.phy.uni-bayreuth.de/%7ebtp344/fastkake/index.html
Fatbits
A fast, compact, easy to use, freeware screen magnifying
utility.
http://www.digitalmantra.com/fatbits/download.html
FreeMind
FreeMind is a free concept mapping software which allows users to organize their ideas, concepts and projects in a visually friendly manner. A USB portable version is also available.
http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Fire Vox
Fire Vox is an open source, freely available talking browser
extension for the Firefox web browser. Think of it as a screen reader for
blind & low-vision users that is designed especially for Firefox.
http://firevox.clcworld.net/
Gaze Talk
An open source, predictive text entry system that has a
restricted on-screen keyboard with ambiguous layout for severely disabled
people. The main reason for using such a keyboard layout is that it enables
the use of an eye tracker with a low spatial resolution (e.g., a web-camera
based eye tracker).
http://www.cogain.org/results/applications/gazetalk
GOK
The gnome onscreen keyboard is an open source on-screen
keyboard for use with Linux operating systems.
ftp://ftp.gnome.org/pub/GNOME/sources/gok
Google Accessible Search
Search engine sorts website searches by the accessibility
level of the site. Link below takes you to the search engine page.
http://labs.google.com/accessible/
G-Talk Search
A free plug-in for Google desktop search. It to enabels people with disabilities
to use Google desktop search. Must have Google Desktop 4.
http://desktop.google.com/plugins/i/gtalksearch.html
Hawking Toolbar
The Hawking Toolbar is a plug-in for the Firefox web browser
that frees individuals with severely limited motor abilities to explore
the internet, without limits. Designed for Stephen Hawking.
http://www.clippingdale.com/accessibility/hawking/status.html
Head-Tracking Pointer
A free application that, combined with an inexpensive camera,
lets users control a mouse pointer by aiming their face around the screen.
http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/headpointer/download
Help Read
A free download of a text-to-speech reading program.
http://www.helpread.com/
HoeKey 1.13
HoeKey allows you assign most keys on your keyboard to
many different actions.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/HoeKey.shtml
Hotkeycontrol XP 4.21
Hotkeycontrol XP is a complete hotkey utility that allows
you to set hotkeys to do common tasks like opening files, ejecting your
cdrom drives, restarting your computer, controlling active windows, controlling
Windows media player and Winamp 3, changing volume, typing in commonly used
text (macros) and much more.
http://www.brothersoft.com/hotkeycontrol-xp-20063.html
HotKicks
A free versatile hotkeys application which gives you direct
access to the most important tasks and functions of Microsoft Windows.
http://www.phy.uni-bayreuth.de/%7ebtp344/hotkicks/index.html
Inclusive Serial Switch Driver
A stand-alone serial switch driver for Windows, programmed
to send the standard keys of Space and Return.
http://www.inclusive.co.uk/downloads/downloads.shtml#serialdriver
Inova BrailleSurf
French company with adaptive web to Braille software. The
site is in French but the link below is to the English version.
http://www.snv.jussieu.fr/inova/bs4/uk/index.htm
Jambu
This software is not currently ready for usage. It is still
under development. I put this here so that you might check it out if interested.
Jambu is being designed to make the web easier to access for those who interact
with computers using switches and head mice or other types of Alternative
Input device. It is designed for users with mobility impairments who find
keyboard and mice difficult or impossible to use.
http://www.oatsoft.org/Software/jambu
JoyToKey
JoyToKey enables PC game controllers to mimic a mouse and
the keyboard. It is a freeware utility which can be of great use to disabled
users.
http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/2/I/JoyToKey/JoyToKey.htm
Joystick 2 Mouse
Joystick 2 Mouse lets you control your mouse and keyboard
using your joystick or gamepad.
http://atzitznet.no-ip.org/Joy2Mouse3/index.html
Jupiter
Open source screen reading software to make Linux operating
system accessible to the blind user.
http://www.oatsoft.org/Software/jupiter
K Magnifier
KMagnifier (or kmag, its unix name) is a small utility
for Linux to magnify a part of the screen. Works only with Linux OS.
http://kmag.sourceforge.net/
Kavlon 10-key
The Kavlon 10-key keyboarding wordlist database is an open
source utility to re-map a small set of keys to a larger set of keys and
to use that mapping to allowing fast entry of words. One of its uses is
in cellphones, allowing users to send text messages with fewer keypresses.
Kavlon 10-key keyboarding wordlist database is part of the Nomad Phones
project.
http://kavlon.org/index.php/10key
KeyTweak v. 2.2
Keytweak is a free keyboard remapper for Windows NT/2000/XP.
http://webpages.charter.net/krumsick/
KwikLoupe
A simple screen magnifier. Magnification ranges from 2x
to 64x with a quick locate option to position the viewing window. The tool
magnifies the area around the mouse pointer.
http://www.fxc.btinternet.co.uk/assistive.htm
Large Pointers 1.0
Over 80 pointers and cursors for
those with visual or perceptual difficulties. Icon styles include animated,
coloured, large, I-beams and circles.
http://ace-centre.hostinguk.com/
MacroMaker
Free program allows you to create macros or recordings
to automate most anything that you already do by hand.
http://members.ij.net/anthonymathews/MacroMaker.htm
MAGpie 2.0
MAGpie is Media Access Generator. An open source tool for
creating closed captions and audio (video) descriptions. Authors can add
captions and audio descriptions to QuickTime, Real, or Windows Media Player.
Downloadable versions for Windows and OS X.
http://ncam.wgbh.org/webaccess/magpie/
Magnifying Glass, ver. 1.0
A simple freeware utility which zooms the region of screen
under the mouse cursor.
http://www.workerscollection.com/
MapKeyboard
Using MapKeyboard, you can alter any key on your keyboard
to function as a different one or altogether disable it as well.
http://www.inchwest.com/mapkeyboard.aspx
Microsoft Reader
Microsoft Reader is used to view certain eBooks on your
computer. An additional piece of software, 'Microsoft Reader Text-to-Speech
Package' can be downloaded in order to speak your eBooks to you, giving
you access to all manner of novels and non-fiction eBooks without the need
to read them from the screen.
http://www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/default.mspx
Nifty Worker
Nifty Worker is an easy to use hotkey and shortcut launcher
that runs in the system tray and allows you to create custom keyboard hotkeys
to launch applications.
http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/Nifty_Worker/niftyworker.html
Mouse Emulator
Make mouse movements with the number pad.
http://www.geocities.com/pronto4u/mouseemulator.html
Mouse Gestures
An open source utility that uses mouse gestures to control
the Firefox web browser to allow 'mouse only' internet browsing.
http://optimoz.mozdev.org/gestures/installation.html
Mouse Smoothing Software
Open source 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.
http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/mousesmoothing/download
Mousketeer
Free mouse clicking replacement software. It can carry
out left click, right click, double click, highlight and drag-drop actions.
http://www.fxc.btinternet.co.uk/assistive.htm
Morseall
Morseall allows you to control your Linux run computer
using only the mouse buttons. It allows you to produce keystrokes by tapping
Morse codes with just a single button or with a three-button mouse for faster
entry. For Linux OS only.
http://morseall.org/
MyFTC
My Freedom To Communicate is an open source TTS (text-to-speech)
program to enable nonverbal individuals to communicate easily in real life
situations.
http://www.oatsoft.org/Software/myftc
NaturalReader
Free TTS (text-to-speech) software.
http://www.naturalreaders.com/download.htm
nMacro
Record all mouse and keyboard actions, save them as a stand-alone
executable file (application) that can reproduce the records on any computer.
http://www.nkprods.com/
Noisy Keyboard v. 3.0
Provides sound events for keyboard strokes.
http://leeos.com/noisy_keyboard.html
Noisy Mouse v. 2.0
Provides sound events for mouse clicks.
http://leeos.com/noisy_keyboard.html
No Squint
NoSquint is a Firefox extension that allows you to adjust
the default text zoom level.
http://urandom.ca/nosquint/
Number Navigator 2.0
This mathematical software enables children to record their
structured arithmetic via the button bar, keyboard or switches without having
to resort to the complexities of a spreadsheet. Numbers are entered from
the keyboard (or switches, via SAW,
switch access to Windows software) and are placed into grid locations on
the screen. The pupil then navigates through the grid using the arrow keys
or the mouse.
http://ace-centre.hostinguk.com/
NVDA
NVDA is a free and open source screen reader for Windows.
Manual is available at Documentation
page.
http://www.nvda-project.org/
Phillip's Large Coloured Cursors
The Large Coloured Cursors and Lefty Large Coloured Cursors
aid persons with visual or perceptual problems. Designed to work on all
versions of Microsoft Windows.
http://www.philip-henderson.co.uk/cursor.shtml
PointNClick Mouse
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.
http://polital.com/pnc/
PowerTalk 1.2.10
This open source utility automatically speaks Microsoft
PowerPoint presentation. Uses standard synthesised computer speech provided
with Windows (SAPI 5.1).
http://fullmeasure.co.uk/powertalk/
qs Hotkeys
qs Hotkeys allows you define custom keyboard hotkeys that
are triggered when you press the Wondows key (the one with the Windows flag
on it). It comes pre-loaded with shortcuts for several system function like
Control Panel, Volume, My Documents etc., and you can add your own hotkey
commands as well.
http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/qs_Hotkeys/qshotkeys.html
RapidKeys
An open source, virtual keyboard with word prediction
that learns from what the user types and contextually suggests words that
can be typed with a single click. The purpose of this feature is to obtain
a greater speed of typing.
http://rapidkeys.netfirms.com/en/index.htm
RapidSet
Free utility allows quick and easy changing of the background
and font colours, without having to go through the Screen Properties dialogs.
http://www.fxc.btinternet.co.uk/assistive.htm
ReadPlease 2003
This free text-to-speech utility uses Microsoft voices.
It reads text from any program via the Windows clipboard.
http://www.readplease.com/english/readplease.php
Sayz Me
Sayz Me is a free text-to-speech reader for Windows. Text
is typed in or copied from the clipboard and then read aloud.
http://www.datafurnace.net.au/sayzme/html/download.html
SAW 5, Special Access to Windows
SAW5 (Special Access to Windows) is open source software
that enables Windows to be controlled by one or two switches,a joystick,
a trackerball or a headpointer.
http://www.oatsoft.org/Software/SpecialAccessToWindows
Sclera's Pictos 1.0
A large collection of over 1000 pictograms (symbols) that
are downloadable in one large group or individually by icon. Be aware that
the website is in Dutch but English instructions are there, so look around.
http://www.sclera.be/download/download.htm
Screen Daemon
An open source screen reader written in Perl.
http://www.student.oulu.fi/~vtatila/screen_daemon.html
SENSwithcer
A freesuite of programs designed to help teach early switch
input computing skills to people with profound and multiple learning difficulties,
those who need to develop skills with assistive input devices and very young
children new to computers.
http://www.northerngrid.org/sen/Download.htm
Sense Factory
Switch-activated software that lets you make slideshows
and sequences of pictures, videos and sounds for use with one or two switches.
Designed for use with the deafblind.
http://www.deafblindonline.org.uk/software.html#sf
Sensory Switch Driver 4.1.2
Allows customizing of switch functions. Free from Sensory
Sofware.
http://sensorysoftware.com/switchdriver.html
ShortKeys Lite 2.1
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.
http://www.oatsoft.org/Software/ShortKeysLite
Simple Control 1.0
Open source program that provides Simple Control of your
mouse, the internet and launching of other programs. Designed for use with
a switch and for someone who just wants access to the simple things. Uses
SAW selection sets - so needs SAW5 installed to run.
http://www.oatsoft.org/Software/simple-control
Sue Center
Sue Center is a communication environment designed specifically for people who cannot use a keyboard or mouse. It could be described as an 'on-screen keyboard'. There is a lot of good information on the website, including a PowerPoint presentation and a video.
http://suecenter.org/
Simply Web 2000
Free program is speech friendly, speech enabled accessible
web browser with advance features that allow easy navigation of complex
pages by blind users.
http://www.econointl.com/sw/
Speakonia
Speakonia is a Text-To-Speech (TTS) GUI (graphical User-Interface)
Program which uses the Microsoft ® Speech Technology.The interface is
similar to Notepad. Speakonia reads aloud any given text with just one mouse
click.
http://www.cfs-technologies.com/home/?id=1.4
Steady Mouse
SteadyMouse is free software designed by a couple of geeks to assist people with the hand tremors that commonly go along with Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis, etc. Major Features: Anti-tremor mouse filtering; Removal of accidental mouse clicks; Assistive "Icon Targeting" system; Quick enable/disable using the scroll lock key; Simple design for easy configuration
http://www.steadymouse.com/downloads/
Talking Faces
A free, switch accessible program from Inclusive Technology.Record
your voice and hear it played back while a face animates! One or two switch
scanning, mouse or touchscreen and keyboard shortcuts.
http://www.inclusive.co.uk/downloads/downloads.shtml#talkingfaces
ThumbTrack v. 1.2
ThumbTrack hold the scroll box (thumb) for you, And lets
you scroll without the need to hold the left mouse button pressed. Every
time that you start dragging the scroll box you can release the left mouse
button and continue your scrolling just by moving the mouse.
http://www.leeos.com/thumbtrack.html
TouchCD
TouchCD is a very simple CD player that is controlled using
a single switch or the keyboard's space bar. Works with JoyCable
switch box.
http://fullmeasure.co.uk/TouchCD/
Virtual Magnifiying Glass 3.3
A free, open source, screen magnifier utility, for Windows
and Linux. For Windows, download the Vmg3.3_install.exe file.
http://magnifier.sourceforge.net/
vOICe Learning Edition
The vOICe Learning Edition translates arbitrary video images
from a regular PC camera into sounds. This means that you can "see"
with your ears.
http://www.seeingwithsound.com/winvoice.htm
Vu-Bar 4
A unique piece of software, provides an on-screen, slotted
ruler. Useful with dyslexia, when the user skips lines or drops from one
line to the next. This version allows the user to select the bar width,
25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of screen width and set the slot height to the required
font size.
http://www.fxc.btinternet.co.uk/assistive.htm
WinGo 1.2
This small utility lets you start application by using
the Windows key in conjunction with almost any other key. WinGo is a simple,
easy-to-use, small and useful tool that lets you start application by using
the Windows key in conjunction with almost any other key.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Launchers-Shutdown-Tools/WinGo.shtml
WordTalk
WordTalk is a free plug-in developed for use with all versions
of Microsoft Word (from Word 97 upwards), which can help people with reading
difficulties use Microsoft Word more effectively.
http://www.wordtalk.org.uk/html/download.html
X-Mouse Button Control
X-Mouse Button Control is a windows application to remap your mouse buttons. The buttom remapping may be tailored to a specific application.
http://www.highrez.co.uk/downloads/XMouseButtonControl.htm
Zen Key
This program allows you to control almost all aspects of
your computer via the keyboard by creating new keyboard shortcuts. It can
also control the mouse pointer, including its speed from keyboard shortcuts.
http://www.camiweb.com/zenkey/