Software accessibility
We recommend the following software for support with your reading and writing.
Popular pages on the Library website
Free software for staff and students
AutoCorrect
AutoCorrect software helps users by automatically correcting spelling mistakes in real time, allowing for uninterrupted typing. It generates a review list of corrections, offers a printable list of common mistakes, operates discreetly in the background, and allows users to add specialised words to its dictionary. This tool supports those who struggle with spelling, enabling them to focus on their content without disruption.
- Spell Check: Automatically corrects spelling discreetly in real-time.
- Review List: Lists misspelled words with corrections and common mistakes.
- Automatic and Discreet: Minimises interruptions, focusing on content delivery.
- Build Dictionary: Customises for scientific, specialised words, or common misspellings.
How to install
Whilst using any University device, click on the ‘AppsAnywhere’ icon on the desktop. You will be able to launch the software from here.
To download onto a personal device, search for ‘AppsAnywhere’ on a browser and log in using your University details. Search for the software and launch.
ClaroRead
ClaroRead is software designed to support reading and writing for staff and students. It offers Text-to-Speech, spell checking with auditory feedback, the ability to convert text to audio for later listening, scanning printed documents into editable text, a comprehensive speaking dictionary, and a screen capture feature that reads aloud any text displayed on the screen.
- Text-to-Speech: Reads typed text aloud with dual colour highlighting.
- Spellchecker: Speaking spellcheck with auditory feedback.
- Listening Later: Converts text to audio for later listening.
- Scanning: Converts printed documents to editable text.
- Dictionary: Speaking dictionary with over 300,000 definitions.
- Screen Capture: Reads aloud any text displayed on the screen.
How to install
Whilst using any University device, click on the ‘AppsAnywhere’ icon on the desktop. You will be able to launch the software from here.
To download onto a personal device, search for ‘AppsAnywhere’ on a browser and log in using your University details. Search for the software and launch.
ClaroRead ScreenRuler Suite
The ClaroRead ScreenRuler suite offers tools to improve reading on screen. It features colour tinting for easier text visibility, a reader mode with a guiding ruler, and is compatible with multiple monitors for greater flexibility.
- Colour Tinting for Screen: An overlay to make reading on screen easier.
- Reader Mode: A moveable strip or ruler to help focus on text line by line.
- Multi-Monitor Support: Compatibility with multiple screens for a better reading experience.
How to use
Launch ClaroRead through AppsAnywhere (see instructions above). Select the ‘Extras’ icon then choose ‘ScreenRuler’ to activate the tool.
Other ClaroRead features
- ClaroView: Helps with reading on a PC.
- ClaroCapture: Research tool to gather text and references from a computer.
- ClaroIdeas: Designed for concept and idea mapping using visual components.
- ClaroPDF: Reads aloud text PDFs.
For a more in-depth understanding of this software, explore our comprehensive eLearning modules.
Read&Write
Read&Write offers tools to assist with reading, writing, and studying, including Text-to-Speech for reading digital text aloud, prediction for word suggestions, a screenshot reader for text in images, visual word lookup with definitions and illustrations, spell checking, and voice notes for audio feedback within documents.
- Text-to-Speech: Converts text into natural-sounding audio.
- Prediction: Offers word suggestions to enhance writing.
- Screenshot Reader: Reads text from images and inaccessible documents.
- Visual Word Lookup: Provides definitions and illustrations for selected words.
- Spell Checker: Identifies and corrects spelling mistakes.
- Voice Note: Enables user to leave voice comments within documents.
How to install
Whilst using any university device, click on the ‘AppsAnywhere’ icon on the desktop. You will be able to launch the software from here.
To download onto a personal device, search for ‘AppsAnywhere’ on a browser and log in using your University details. Search for the software and launch.
Read our Assistive Technology Guide
Software that requires funding
Software from the list below requires funding from Student Finance through the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) from Student Finance. You may be entitled to this.
To find out more, get in touch with our Disability Inclusion Service and they can advise you on eligibility and how to apply. Call +44 (0)161 295 5000 or email disability@salford.ac.uk.
Genio Notes
Genio Notes offers a comprehensive set of tools for staff and students. It facilitates a variety of tasks in educational settings and beyond. Its recording and transcription features are useful for capturing meetings and organising projects. Its definitions and diagrams can enhance study materials and research efforts. The app's cross-device capabilities and focus timer support teaching preparations and independent study. Genio fosters efficient workflows and effective information retention for users in any context.
- Recording: Review classes your way with transcribed audio.
- Transcription: Capture every last word from your classes in person or online.
- Definitions + Diagrams: Quick access to Wikipedia for definitions and diagram search.
- Device Free: Access recordings and notes across devices with the Genio Notes app.
- Reminders: Easily find tasks marked up in class.
- Focus Time: Built-in time management feature to work without distractions.
Grammarly Premium
Grammarly offers tools to enhance writing quality for both staff and students. Key features include spell checking for accuracy, tone suggestions to align writing style with intended messaging, rewrites for clarity, generative AI for tailored writing assistance, adaptability across various platforms, and plagiarism checking to ensure originality.
- Spell Check: Identifies typos, missing punctuation, and commonly confused words.
- Tone Suggestions: Guides adjustments in writing mood and attitude.
- Rewrites: Clarifies tangled, hard-to-read sentences.
- Generative AI: Offers customisable options for tone, formality, and relevance.
- Adaptable: Integrates across 500,000+ platforms.
- Plagiarism Check: Detects plagiarism to maintain originality.
Medincle
Medincle is designed to enhance medical writing and documentation. It offers specialised terminology recognition for medical and scientific terms, a spell-check feature tailored for specialised vocabulary, and a dictation add-in that works with dictation software to accurately transcribe medical jargon.
- Specialised Terminology Recognition: Enhances software for medical/scientific term understanding.
- Spell-Check: Identifies errors across word processors without flagging specialist vocabulary.
- Dictation Add-In: Works with dictation software for accurate medical jargon transcription.
TalkType
TalkType offers fast and accurate dictation software, which is customizable to include unique words, phrases, and acronyms. It's adaptable, working within popular
applications like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Pages, ensuring seamless integration into your workflow.
- Fast Dictation: Ensures accurate, professional-quality dictation.
- Customisable: Adds custom words, phrases, and acronyms.
- Adaptable: Seamlessly dictates into third-party apps like Word, Google Docs.
Dragon
Dragon software provides advanced voice recognition that adapts to your voice for accurate transcription, command control for hands-free computer navigation, multi-language support, mobile dictation with Dragon Anywhere, and the ability to add custom vocabulary to enhance recognition accuracy.
- Voice Recognition: Accurately transcribes spoken words into text, adapting to voice patterns.
- Command Control: Navigates and controls the computer via voice.
- Transcription: Converts audio recordings into written text.
- Multi-Language Support: Dictates in multiple languages, supporting regional speech patterns.
- Dragon Anywhere: Dictate on the go with mobile app features.
- Custom Vocabulary: Adds unique terms to a personal dictionary for improved accuracy.