When it comes to accessibility, it is important that tools and resources are at affordable prices, to ensure that they are accessible for all, regardless of socio-economic background.
Below, I have compiled a list of free tools and software, that can be incredibly useful for those that struggle reading on digital devices, such as laptops, phones and e-readers.
Fast Font
Have you ever found that while you are reading, your brain tends to skip over lines, or even that you reread the same line over and over again? Fast Font offers a free, open-source alternative to the popular Bionic Reading software, allowing users to integrate speed reading techniques across many popular platforms, including software such as Microsoft Word, as well as web browsers such as Chrome and Firefox. It can even be downloaded fairly easily to Kindles, allowing for all of your eBooks to be transformed all in one go! It also offers a Dyslexia-Friendly version of the font, which can be great for those with both Dyslexia and ADHD.
Having used Fast Font before, I have found it can be very helpful in keeping by brain up to speed with my reading. There is a very detailed guide on the creator’s GitHub page on how to set it all up, so I definitely recommend giving it a try!
Microsoft Immersive Reader
While some accessibility tools may require extra downloads and plug-ins, there are many pieces of software that we use in our day-to-day lives that have plenty of hidden features just waiting to be explored! If you are someone who uses any sort of Microsoft 365 software in your work or school environments, you may have been completely unaware of is Immersive Reader tool. Opening a document, going to the View tab and selecting Immersive Reader will turn your document into a new reading experience, with further spaced out lettering alongside a screen reader that highlights words as they are being read! I ended up using this tool the most in Word to read over my university essays, though it can be used throughout a large majority of Microsoft software including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, as well as their web Browser Edge. While this isn’t technically a free tool as Microsoft 365 does require a license to use, this may be a powerful free tool to those who use Microsoft software through their work or while at school. Alternatively, if you do not have access to Microsoft Office, LibreOffice can also be an amazing free alternative. While it does not have such extensive immersive reading features, it does offer a screen reader feature, that can be used very similarly without paying for an Office license.
RNIB Bookshare
When in university, I found that I much preferred to read my textbooks digitally, either downloading them as a PDF for note-taking, or as an ePub on my Kobo. Through this, my university set me up with RNIB Bookshare, a service that offers free eBooks to those in education with print reading disabilities, including ADHD.
To access this service, you will need to check if your institution is signed up with RNIB Bookshare. All UK Schools can set up accounts free of charge, so even if your child’s school has not set up the service yet, they will be able to set up their institution free of charge. Universities, Online schools, Learning Centres and Tutoring Services in the UK have to pay a £200 fee per year to allow their students to access the service, however many universities will already have the service ready to use for free, so it is always best to ask your university disability services.
Once their institution is set up, they can set you or your child up with an account! RNIB Bookshare has access to a variety of different titles, including both textbooks and fiction. Books downloaded through Bookshare can be accessed on a variety of different platforms, including the Dolphin Easy Reader app, a software made to be customisable for those with reading disabilities.
Libby
Libby is not only a great app for accessing free books through your local library, but it also comes built in with a bunch of customisable accessibility features. With the option to adjust font sizing, colour contrasting, and audiobook playback speed. Libby is a great eBook reading platform that is completely free to use.
Libby is also compatible with a variety of screen readers, such as Apple’s VoiceOver, Android TalkBack, as well as desktop screen readers, such as NVDA and JAWS.