Software Title Tags

Balabolka is a text-to-speech program that can also be used to create MP3 and other audio file formats.

Balabolka is available on all Sites computers, and can be downloaded to any computer at no charge.

Atkinson Hyperlegible is a font designed to make reading easier for low-vision users.

Atkinson Hyperlegible is available on all Sites computers, and may also be downloaded at no charge to any computer. 

OpenDyslexic is an open sourced font created to increase readability for readers with dyslexia. The typeface includes regular, bold, italic, and bold-italic styles, and 2 typefaces: OpenDyslexic, and OpenDyslexic-Alta.

OpenDyslexic is available on all Sites computers, and may also be downloaded at no charge to any computer.

Read&Write is a literacy support tool that offers help with everyday tasks like reading text out loud, understanding unfamiliar words, and proofing written work. Full versions are available for Windows and Mac computers; more limited versions are available for iPads and Android tablets. 

Our license allows Read&Write to be installed on any public computer, any university-owned computer, and any personal computer belonging to a current U-M student or employee. 

ZoomText is a fully integrated magnification program tailored for low-vision users. It enlarges and enhances everything on your computer screen.

ZoomText is currently available on all Sites computers throughout campus and selectively available elsewhere. As of 10/2023, we are working on a license that will provide unlimited use throughout campus as well as permit downloading to individual computers. 

JAWS, Job Access With Speech, is developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse. JAWS provides speech and Braille output for the most popular computer applications on your PC. You will be able to navigate the Internet, write a document, read an email and create presentations from your office, remote desktop, or from home.

JAWS is currently available on all Sites computers throughout campus and selectively available elsewhere. As of 10/2023, we are working on a license that will provide unlimited use throughout campus as well as permit downloading to individual computers. 

Morphic’s basic features are free and provide 1-click access to important features that make your computer easier to see and use (text size, magnifier, reading of any text selected, clipping content to use in reports or emails etc., increasing contrast, reducing glare, providing filters for users with colorblindness). The basic features also give you the ability to capture the setup of your usability and accessibility features on your computer and then apply them to any other computer with Morphic on it (while you are using it – and disappear when you are done).

Morphic Plus (also free) adds the ability to create custom MorphicBars for yourself – and for other people. These MorphicBars can be edited using the MorphicBar customization tool which, because it is online, allows you to create, change, and maintain MorphicBars remotely, from any web browser, and have the changes appear instantly on another Morphic-enabled computer, wherever it is.

Morphic Enterprise allows organizations to provide more equitable opportunities for their stakeholders.  Enterprise offers all of the above plus the option to add up to 3 alternate, custom buttons to the standard MorphicBar to better serve diverse user needs. Through an Enterprise Agreement, Morphic can easily be deployed on large numbers (or all) of an organization’s computers, helping to expand accessibility and usability across on-site or remote locations. We have this installed on all Sites computers; please contact jbvincen@umich.edu to discuss non-Sites implementation.

NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) is a free and open-source, portable screen reader for Microsoft Windows.

NVDA is programmed in Python. It currently works exclusively with accessibility APIs such as UI Automation, Microsoft Active Accessibility, IAccessible2 and the Java Access Bridge, rather than using specialized video drivers to "intercept" and interpret visual information. It is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking is speech recognition software that runs on the Windows platform. It requires at least 16 GB of RAM (32 GB recommended) to run well with other RAM intensive programs such as Microsoft Word. Dragon is primarily compatible with Word and Outlook, but can be made to work with other programs with varying degrees of success.