Other Helpful Resources
Below are some free tools that can make computers easier to use for different people. We do not warrant or recommend any of them. They are just listed as a service. If you have another suggestion please send it to suggestions@morphic.org
Accessible PDF reader with word wrap and more
VIP PDF Reader is a FREE PDF viewer that allows users to enlarge text and have the text wrap like in a word processor. It has many features including Resize Text with Reflow, Change Line Spacing, Change Kerning, Change Fonts, Change Font Color and Background Color, and Highlighting and Reading of Text. It works on Mac, Windows and Linux operating systems.
Translation tools
To translate text, documents, web pages or live speech, try one of the following free services or apps.
Translate Web pages
- Google – Web, text, docs
- Microsoft Bing – Web, text
- PROMT – Web
- Reverso – Web
Translate live speech
- Translate Live – live speech
- Microsoft Translator App – Web, text, live speech, and even street signs
Translate documents
The following applications have translators built directly into them.
- Microsoft Word 365 (in its Review ribbon)
- Microsoft Edge Browser (in new Windows 10 2009 release)
- Safari Browser
- MacOS – Translate entire web pages in Safari. When you encounter a compatible page, just click the translation icon in the address field to translate into English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Russian, or Brazilian Portuguese.
- iOS – If you’re running iOS 14 or later, Safari now comes with a translation feature baked into the browser. Once activated, text is translated in-line on the webpage that you’re viewing.
- Chrome Browser – To translate in Chrome, right-click on the page and select Translate to English or click the Translate icon in the address bar. (Note that on a Mac, instead of a Translate icon, a translation bar displays below the address bar. Users can select the language to translate to in the translate bar.)
- Firefox Browser – Browser extensions are available for translation in Firefox, such as https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/google-translator-for-firefox/
Word Simplification Ribbons
There is a Word Simplification Kit available from Raising the Floor that allows you to easily install customized ribbons to make using Word simpler on the PC.
(Sorry Word on the Mac does not support exporting and importing of ribbons)
There are 2 ribbons available.
Raising the Floor Word Ribbon Simplification kit ribbons:
- Basic — A very simple ribbon
- Essentials — Almost all the the features you need on one Ribbon (and the other ribbons are still available).
Berman Accessibility Ribbon for Word
The Berman Accessibility Ribbon (version 1.0) is an add-on to Microsoft Word for Windows (versions 2010, 2013, 2016, 2016/365, and 2019). It is available in various languages. (Unfortunately Word for Mac still lacks the accessibility features of Word for Windows, so the ribbon only works for Word for Windows)
Windows specific tools
Accessibility and Usability tools built into Windows
There are a wide range of accessibility and usability tools built into Windows.
- A description of all of the accessibility tools and features built into Windows can be found here. (Be sure to click on all 5 tabs – Vision, Hearing, Neurodiversity, Learning and Mobility.)
Windows Screen snipping tool
- Morphic provides a simple way to Copy a part of the screen to paste into any document.
- But there are more functions built into the Snipping tool as well. You can find the button for it in the notifications area on windows. Or you can type Win+Shift+ S keys together.
Screen Recording in Win10
MacOS specific tools
Accessibility and Usability tools built into MacOS
- There are a wide range of accessibility and usability tools built into MacOS. The whole list of accessibility tools and features built into MacOS can be found here.
- Other Videos of macOS accessibility features
MacOS Screenshot Tool for Screen Pictures and Screen Recording
Morphic provides a simple way to Copy a part of the screen to paste into any document. But there are more options built into MacOS for copying and pasting and even recording the screen as a movie.
- You can launch screen tool on your Mac, by pressing Shift-Command-5
- You can take a Picture of a Window, Part of the Screen or the Whole Screen
- You can make a movie of a Window, Part of the Screen or the Whole Screen
- You can then mark up the screenshot or trim the recording
- And here is a video demonstrating use of QuickTime to take snapshots or videos on the Mac.