The Library: Software: Assistive Software

Assistive software

There is a range of assistive software available in the Library for all students to use.

More information about the software, including tutorials and guides, is available below.

If you have a disability or dyslexia you can book an appointment with the Library Disability Support Team for support and training on the assistive software. See the Library Disability Support webpage for more information and support.

If you are not registered with Disability Advice, please contact the Library for IT support.

Microsoft Accessibility Tools

You may also find the information about the free Microsoft Accessibility Tools useful. These include tools to read information aloud to you and the Dictate tool, which will type as you talk.

Ask us about assistive software - try searching our FAQs

Mind mapping software

MindView

MindView is a visual learning mind mapping tool designed to help you develop and organise ideas. It aims to enhance creativity, clarify your thoughts and improve memory and is a good study and revision tool.

MindView has functions which allow you to undertake tasks that are more involved than just simple mindmaps; for example creating essay plans, creating time lines, setting calendar reminders and creating tables of contents.

MindView is available on all Library PCs. You can also access it on your PC from home using the Remote App. This is a service that lets you use University applications on any device with an Internet connection without downloading them.

Go to the Library’s Leeds Beckett RemoteApp page and click the link to access the RemoteApp service through a web browser.
Enter your University username and password when prompted and click on the Sign In button.
Once the RemoteApp loads, click the MindView icon and this will start a download.
Once the file has downloaded click on it to open the Remote App dialogue box and then click on Connect.
Enter your username and password when prompted.

For help with saving your work see How do I save my work when using Mindview via the RemoteApp?

Getting help

Mindview video tutorials and a Mindview user guide are available on the MindView website.

Mindmapping with Mindview 9 AT Workshop Guide
Guide from the Mindmapping with Mindview 8 AT workshop

Read & Write supports your study skills through a toolbar which works alongside other applications such as Microsoft Word, email and the Internet. It is designed to provide support for people with writing, reading and spelling difficulties.

Here are just some of the tools available:

Text-to-speech - it will read the content of web pages and documents aloud
Dictionary - gives dictionary definitions of words
Spell checking - check your spellings with definitions and example sentences
Sounds like and confusable words - check and correct your use of words such as their and there or weather and whether
Speech Input - types as you speak (requires a microphone)
Screen Masking - change the colour of the whole screen to make it easier to see and read
Highlighters - highlight useful text and then collect these into a new document, which is useful for taking notes

Read & Write is available on all Library PCs.

Read & Write video tutorials and Read & Write user guides are available on the TextHelp website. Try out a useful tool which allows you to discover the Read & Write toolbar bar buttons.

Texthelp Read and Write 12 Workshop Guide
Guide from Texthelp Read and Write 12 workshop
Texthelp Read and Write Workshop Exercise Files

Read & Write for Google Chrome is a toolbar which offers many of the functions of the full Texthelp Read & Write software within the Chrome web browser. It works with webpages and files accessed through Office 365 and Google Drive.

Here are just some of the tools available:

Text-to-speech - it will read the content of web pages, Office 365 files or Google Docs files aloud.
Dictionary - gives dictionary definitions of words
Speech Input - types as you speak (only available in Office 365 and Google Docs and requires a microphone)
Screen Masking - change the colour of the whole screen to make it easier to see and read
Highlighters - highlight useful text and then collect these into a new document which is useful for taking notes

Video tutorials on using Read & Write for Google Chrome, a Read&Write for Google Chrome - Quick Reference Guide and an interactive guide to Read&Write for Google Chrome Tools are available on the TextHelp website.

Free software and apps

Microsoft Accessibility Tools Office 365 has a range of free tools that can help you read information aloud (Read Aloud), change the appearance of text and pages to make reading easier (Immersive Reader) and type as you talk (Dictate).
MyStudyBar brings together a range of useful tools to support studying, reading and writing for Windows PCs. It includes tools for mindmapping, customising font and background colours, a talking dictionary, converting text to audio and speech recognition.
DnA (Diversity and Ability) resource page can be filtered by device, task and cost.
My Computer My Way has a range of simple guides that offer step by step instructions on how to adapt your phone, computer or tablet to meet your needs.
Accessibility Apple has information about how you can customise your Apple device with accessibility settings and apps, including:
- Get started with accessibility features on iPad
- Get started with accessibility features on Mac
Andriod accessibility overview explains how you can customise your Andriod device with accessibility settings and apps.

Contact us

Adobe Reader DC accessibility features

Want to convert files into different formats?

You can do this using SensusAccess, a web-based tool which allows students and staff to automatically convert documents into a range of alternative media.

Or you can use Ally File Transformer, available on the Assist tab in MyBeckett to convert documents into a range of different formats.

For files which are within your module content on MyBeckett you may be able to use Anthology Ally. Blackboard Ally is a tool within MyBeckett which can convert files into alternative file formats.