FTT - Top 5 Accessibility Tools That Everyone Should Know About

 Top 5 Accessibility Tools That Everyone Should Know About

 (chrome/chrome book edition)

@LisaBerghoff/@MrKimDHS

#a11y

I was recently looking through the blog archives and was shocked to discover that I had not written a post on Chrome and Chromebook accessibility tools. I spend a large percentage of my time working on helping students and their teachers figure out the best tools to use when there is a barrier to learning.  Part of the problem is that the topic is so huge that it can't possibly all be covered in one post. However, there are some amazing built in features that absolutely everyone needs to know about so here we go.  

Back in the early days of special education, we would identify a student as having a disability and then find a tool, possibly a piece of technology, that can help. The issue with this was that the technology was so different, so screamingly obvious that no student wanted to use it. The beauty of accessibility tools that are chrome extensions, or built into chrome and chrome books is that nobody has to know AND anyone can use them so who cares. So many accessibility tools are ubiquitous these days. Think about audiobooks. They were created for people with visual impairments but we all benefit from listening to them. 

Here is my list of the top 5 accessibility tools everyone should know about. 

1. Voice Typing In Google Docs

Since this tool is baked right in to Google docs, there is absolutely no reason for a student to sit and stare at a blank screen. You know that they have ideas and if you could sit next to them, they would tell you, but for some reason as soon as they need to type they suddenly have writers' block. 

Just have them click Tools and then choose Voice Typing. This also works using the Google docs mobile and tablet apps as well. The technology has gotten so good! 

Quick tip: Google docs voice type does not automatically enter punctuation. If you speak the punctuation it will work, or have students go back and enter the punctuation manually. Built in punctuation lesson for the win!

2. Select To Speak (on chrome books)

Once you enable it in the chrome book settings, you press the Search key and then click and drag for what you want read aloud. This is a great tool for struggling readers, English learners, and kids who are looking at screens for too long. Students can enable this on their own by clicking the gear on their chrome book and going to accessibility.

3. Closed Captioning On Google Slides

While you or your students are presenting, you can enable closed captioning and what you say will appear on the slides. This is perfect for students who struggle with attention, you absolutely can't help but watch the words appear! This is also great for struggling readers, English learners, and students with hearing impairments. Another thing that is pretty amazing is that it has a filter so if you have a snarky student who decides to say some bad words, it won't add those to the text!  Just click the CC button on your toolbar when you are in presentation mode:

Here is a video that shows how it works in under 2 minutes: 

Bonus info: There is also a closed captioning option on Google Meet! 

4. High Contrast Mode

Since we are looking at our screens more than ever, it can be beneficial to change the contrast as we are working. Some students say this helps with focus, others report that it reduces eye strain. I have shown this to students with concussions and they indicated that it reduced their symptoms while on their chrome books. Control+Search+H will toggle this on and off on a chrome book. 

You can also turn this on in gmail by going to themes in your settings. Choose the plain black background and click save. 

Here is another short video showing you how it works.

5. Adjust Your Mouse Cursor

There is no reason to think that one size fits all when it comes to your mouse cursor. Students can adjust in their chrome book settings by toggling to show a large cursor. They can also set their mouse cursor to highlight. This is also possible even if you are not using a chrome book. In the chrome browser, just click on settings, advanced, accessibility and choose show a quick highlight on the focused object. 

This does wonders for focus and attention.

This is what it looks like on a chrome book:

There are so many incredible tools that we can all use. Remember, ramps are there for people with mobility issues but people pushing strollers, on bikes, skateboards, and pulling wagons benefit too. 

Show these to your students. Make sure they know that they can enable these features all on their own.

What is your favorite accessibility tool? Let us know. And don't forget that we're always here to help.