AccessApps
Encyclopedia
AccessApps is an initiative supported by the JISC Regional Support Centres (RSC) and JISC TechDis. It consists of over 50 open source and freeware
Microsoft Windows
applications, running from a USB stick. AccessApps provides a range of solutions to support writing
, reading
and planning
as well as sensory
, cognitive and physical difficulties.
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
applications, running from a USB stick. AccessApps provides a range of solutions to support writing
Writing
Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium through the use of a set of signs or symbols . It is distinguished from illustration, such as cave drawing and painting, and non-symbolic preservation of language via non-textual media, such as magnetic tape audio.Writing most likely...
, reading
Reading (process)
Reading is a complex cognitive process of decoding symbols for the intention of constructing or deriving meaning . It is a means of language acquisition, of communication, and of sharing information and ideas...
and planning
Planning
Planning in organizations and public policy is both the organizational process of creating and maintaining a plan; and the psychological process of thinking about the activities required to create a desired goal on some scale. As such, it is a fundamental property of intelligent behavior...
as well as sensory
Sensory system
A sensory system is a part of the nervous system responsible for processing sensory information. A sensory system consists of sensory receptors, neural pathways, and parts of the brain involved in sensory perception. Commonly recognized sensory systems are those for vision, hearing, somatic...
, cognitive and physical difficulties.
History
- 14 September 2008 - AccessApps download site launched on JISC RSC Scotland North & East website
- 28 November 2008 - JISC RSC Scotland North & East awarded Scottish Open Source Education Excellence Award
- 11 May 2009 - AccessApps incorporated into EduApps
- 14 May 2009 - AccessApps wins IMS GlobalIMS GlobalIMS Global Learning Consortium is a global, nonprofit, member organization that strives to enable the growth and impact of learning technology in the education and corporate learning sectors worldwide...
Best Accessibility Solution award
Multimedia tools
- ArtweaverArtweaverArtweaver is a freeware raster graphics editor for Windows developed by Boris Eyrich, mainly oriented to professional and amateur artists who are familiar with commercial programs like Adobe Photoshop and especially Corel Painter...
- art package - AudacityAudacityAudacity is a free software, cross-platform digital audio editor and recording application. It is available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and BSD.Audacity was created by Dominic Mazzoni while he was a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University...
- record/edit audio - Audiobook CutterAudiobook CutterAudiobook Cutter Free Edition is a software tool which splits MP3 audiobook files into smaller ones without re-encoding. The original file is split into a series of sequentially numbered files at regular time intervals. The period of the subdivision can be set from 15 seconds to 80 minutes...
- split MP3 files - GIMPGIMPGIMP is a free software raster graphics editor. It is primarily employed as an image retouching and editing tool and is freely available in versions tailored for most popular operating systems including Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, and Linux.In addition to detailed image retouching and...
- image editor - UnFREEz - animated gif creator
- VLC Media PlayerVLC media playerVLC media player is a free and open source media player and multimedia framework written by the VideoLAN project.VLC is a portable multimedia player, encoder, and streamer supporting many audio and video codecs and file formats as well as DVDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. It is able to...
- XnViewXnViewXnView is a cross-platform image viewer used for viewing, converting, organising and editing graphical & video files. It is free of charge for private, educational and non-profit organisations...
- image viewer
Reading and writing support
- AMIS - DAISY reader
- DSpeech - text to speech
- Express Scribe - transcription
- NVDANonVisual Desktop AccessNonVisual Desktop Access is a free, open source, portable screen reader for Microsoft Windows. The project was started by Michael Curran in 2006. The latest stable version is 2011.3NVDA is programmed in Python...
- screen reader - PowerReader - dyslexia reading support
- PowerTalk - powerpoint reader
- RapidSet - change font/background
- TheSage - dictionary and thesaurus
- TypeFaster Accessible - typing tutor
Visual support
- Darkscreen - monitor glare control
- DesktopZoom - screen magnifier
- EnorMouse - cursor enlargement
- QuickRes - change resolution
- SonarSonarSonar is a technique that uses sound propagation to navigate, communicate with or detect other vessels...
- cursor ring - Spr-Ot - spreadsheet visual aid
- Virtual Magnifying GlassVirtual Magnifying GlassVirtual Magnifying Glass is an open source, screen magnification tool for Microsoft Windows and Linux.Virtual Magnifying Glass is designed for the visually impaired and others who need to magnify part of the screen...
- VuBar - read text one line at a time
Keyboard/mouse alternatives
- Click-N-Type - virtual keyboard
- DasherDasherDasher is a computer accessibility tool which enables users to write without using a keyboard, by entering text on a screen using a pointing device such as a mouse, a touchpad, a touch screen, a roller ball, a joystick, a Push-button, a Wii Remote, or even mice operated by the foot or head...
- text entry system - MouseTool - automated clicking
Browsers
- Foxit ReaderFoxit ReaderFoxit Reader is a multilingual PDF reader. Both the basic and full version readers can be downloaded for free.Foxit Reader is notable for its short load time and small filesize, and has been compared favorably to Adobe Reader...
- PDF document reader - Mozilla FirefoxMozilla FirefoxMozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite and managed by Mozilla Corporation. , Firefox is the second most widely used browser, with approximately 25% of worldwide usage share of web browsers...
- web browser - WebbIEWebbIEWebbIE is a freeware web browser designed for screen reader users. It re-presents web pages as text with a caret, allowing users to use their existing screen reader or assistive technology to read it, but is not self-voicing, unlike Home Page Reader.-History:WebbIE was developed as a student...
- text-based browser with lots of features - yBook - eBook reader
Utilities
- 7-Zip7-Zip7-Zip is an open source file archiver. 7-Zip operates with the 7z archive format, but can read and write several other archive formats. The program can be used from a command line interface, graphical user interface, or with Microsoft Windows shell integration. 7-Zip began in 1999 and is actively...
- file archiver - ASuiteASuiteASuite is a free open source application launcher for Windows. -Program usage:In the main window, under the List tab, user can be able to create and manage own customized application list. While Search tab will let you look for item names....
- application launcher - ClamWinClamWinClamWin is free, open source antivirus software for Microsoft Windows. It provides a graphical user interface to the ClamAV engine.- Features :* Scanning scheduler ....
- anti-virus - Converber - unit converter
- TopOCR - convert images to text
Backup/synchronise
- DropboxDropbox (storage provider)Dropbox is a Web-based file hosting service operated by Dropbox, Inc. that uses cloud storage to enable users to store and share files and folders with others across the Internet using file synchronization. It was founded in 2007 by MIT graduates Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi as a Y Combinator...
- remote storage - ozSync - file synchronisation
Games
- Anagramarama - word puzzle
- Mini Golf - switch accessible
- NagaSkaki - chess
- OthelloReversiReversi is a board game involving abstract strategy and played by two players on a board with 8 rows and 8 columns and a set of distinct pieces for each side. Pieces typically are disks with a light and a dark face, each face belonging to one player...
- board game - SudokuSudokuis a logic-based, combinatorial number-placement puzzle. The objective is to fill a 9×9 grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 sub-grids that compose the grid contains all of the digits from 1 to 9...
- number puzzle
See also
- Portable applicationPortable applicationA portable application , sometimes also called standalone, is a computer software program designed to run independently from an operating system...
- Portable application creatorsPortable application creatorsPortable application creators allow the creation of portable applications . They usually use application virtualization.- Creators of independent portable applications :...
- List of portable software
- OATSOATSOATS - Open Source Assistive Technology Software - is a source code repository or "forge" for assistive technology software. It was launched in 2006 with the goal to provide a one-stop “shop” for end users, clinicians and open-source developers to promote and develop open source assistive...