Assistive Technology can be used in or out of school to help you complete tasks more quickly, easily, or independently. The dictation and speech-to-text tools recommended on this page are available for free or at a low cost.
Dictation for Gmail is a convenient and easy-to-use tool that can save users time and effort when composing emails. Its voice recognition technology and voice commands make it a popular choice among users who prefer to dictate their emails instead of typing them.
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Chrome extension
More information: Dictation for Gmail
Voice Control for Mac is a built-in accessibility feature that allows users to control their Mac computer using voice commands. The feature uses advanced voice recognition technology to interpret spoken commands and execute them on the computer.
With Voice Control, users can perform a wide range of tasks hands-free, such as opening and closing apps, scrolling through web pages, and dictating text. The feature also allows users to navigate the computer's interface, control system settings, and access files and folders using voice commands.
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Mac, iOS: iPad, iPhone
More information: Voice Control for Mac
Dictation.io is a free online dictation tool that allows users to transcribe spoken words into text using their computer's microphone. The tool is designed to be simple and easy to use, with no downloads or installations required.
Dictation.io also offers a range of customization options, including the ability to adjust the microphone volume, choose a different language, and control the punctuation and formatting of the transcribed text.
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Online Web Application for Chrome Browser
More information: dictation.io
Voice Recognition in Windows 10 is a built-in accessibility feature that allows users to control their computer using voice commands. The feature uses advanced voice recognition technology to interpret spoken commands and execute them on the computer.
With Voice Recognition, users can perform a wide range of tasks hands-free, such as opening and closing apps, navigating the web, and dictating text. The feature also allows users to control system settings, access files and folders, and even interact with Cortana, Windows 10's virtual assistant, using voice commands.
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Built-In to Windows Operating System
More information: Use voice recognition in Windows
Dragon Anywhere uses advanced voice recognition technology to transcribe spoken words into text in real time. The app supports multiple languages and allows users to customize the accuracy of the voice recognition engine by training it to recognize their voice and language patterns.
One of the key features of Dragon Anywhere is its ability to integrate with other apps and software. The app allows users to dictate text directly into other apps, such as email, messaging, and note-taking apps, and it also supports popular file formats, including Microsoft Word and PDF.
Cost: Free trial for seven days, $15/month after seven days
Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone
More information: Dragon Anywhere
Users can access Google Voice Typing through a web browser, using Google Docs or Google Slides. Google Voice Typing is particularly useful for users who have difficulty typing due to physical disabilities or injuries, as well as those who prefer to dictate rather than type. It is also a useful tool for increasing productivity and saving time, as users can dictate text much faster than typing it out manually.
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Built-In Chrome Browser Option
More information: How do I use the Google Voice Typing speech-to-text tool?
If you would like to recommend assistive technology for the libraries, please contact Jessica Chrisman-DeNegri at jchrismandenegri@waubonsee.edu.