Building Auditory Awareness 

For younger students or those with cognitive delays, auditory awareness is a foundational skill. Encourage students to:
  • Turn toward or move toward sound sources.
  • Point to or identify the direction of specific sounds.
  • Use daily routines like walking toward running water or responding to a peer’s voice to practice sound localization.
  • Learn directional concepts: in front, behind, beside, left, right, above, below.

​Access to Audio Books & Educational Materials

Students can access a wide variety of academic and leisure reading through the following services:
  • Bookshare: Free for U.S. students with qualifying print disabilities. Offers accessible eBooks in formats like audio, large print, and braille-ready files.
  • Learning Ally: Offers human-narrated books. Free for eligible public school students in the U.S.; available by subscription for others. 
  • NLS BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download): Free to eligible individuals via the National Library Service. Accessible on smartphones/tablets through the BARD Mobile app or dedicated devices like the Victor Reader Stream.

Modern Playback & Reading Devices

​These tools allow students to independently access auditory content:
  • Victor Reader Stream (3rd Gen): Plays DAISY books, Bookshare files, MP3s, and NLS content.
  • Victor Reader Trek: Combines Victor Stream features with GPS-based orientation.
  • Smartphones and Tablets: iOS and Android devices support a range of accessible reading apps:
    • Voice Dream Reader
    • BARD Mobile
    • Learning Ally
    • Apple Books or Kindle with VoiceOver (iOS) or TalkBack (Android)

Recording Tools for Studying and Review

Students benefit from recording class content for later listening. Current options include:
  • Voice Memos (iOS)
  • Easy Voice Recorder (Android)
  • Otter.ai (transcribes as it records)
  • Victor Reader Stream (built-in recording feature)
  • Portable digital recorders (e.g., from Sony or Olympus)
Always check school policies before recording classroom content

Speech Recognition & Dictation Tools

Speech-to-text tools empower students to complete assignments using their voice:
  • Built-in dictation on Apple (iOS/macOS), Android, Windows, and Chromebooks
  • Dragon Professional (still used in some cases, though built-in options are now preferred for most students)

Vocabulary Support

When traditional dictionaries are not accessible, students may benefit from:
  • Seeing AI (Microsoft): Free app that reads text, identifies products, describes scenes, and reads barcodes.
  • OrCam Read / OrCam Learn: Devices that read printed text aloud from any surface with the point of a finger (best for older students or those with strong auditory processing).
  • Built-in screen readers can also read aloud dictionary definitions or online content.

Math and Time Tools

  • Talking Calculators: Available in basic and scientific models through vendors like APH and LS&S.
  • Large Print Calculators: Designed with bold, high-contrast buttons and displays.
  • Talking Watches and Clocks: Available with speech output, tactile buttons, and vibration alerts for time orientation and independence.

Physical Education & Orientation Tools

  • Beeping balls and balls with bells: Used in sports like goalball or adapted gym.
  • Beeper boxes: Emit sound to mark landmarks or targets during games or orientation and mobility lessons.
  • Sound-based goal locators: Help students orient themselves to physical locations during gym or mobility practice.

Screen Reading Technology

Screen readers allow students who are blind to access and interact with digital content through speech or braille output:
  • JAWS (Windows)
  • NVDA – free and open-source (Windows)
  • VoiceOver (built into Apple devices)
  • TalkBack (built into Android devices)
  • ChromeVox (built into Chromebooks)
These tools enable full access to documents, emails, websites, apps, and online learning platforms.

Printable Resources

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