Universal Design

Emerged from the fields of barrier-free design and assistive technology.  Stive to develop solutions that help everyone. Incorporate elements to make the design visually appealing as well as serviceable.

Reading  Tools

• ReadPlease    Free text-to-speech program.
• Natural Reader    Free text-to-speech program.  Converts any text.  Audio can be saved as an Mp3 file.

Microsoft Word Tips

• Use the Summarize feature with fact based text. 

  To use this feature:

  • Open a Word document
  • Click Tools on the menu bar
  • Select AutoSummarize
  • Choose a format
  • Click OK 

   

• Take advantage of the Find/Replace feature to change the format of keywords/phrases throughtout a document.  Add a space in front of words that may be part of other terms (ex. king and marking) 

  To use this feature:

  • Open a Word document
  • Click Edit on the menu bar

• Highlight words/phrases to employ reading strategies. 

• Use the Track Changes feature to provide feedback. 

• Readability statistics can help students "beef up their writing".  

  To activate this feature: Open Microsoft Word Click Tools on the menu bar  Select Options in the drop-down menu Click the Spelling & Grammar tab Place a check in the Show readabilitiy statistics box. Click OK.

  To use this feature: Open a Word document Click Tools On the menu bar, Select Spelling and Grammar