Introduction

LetMeType is a word prediction program which can support learners with literacy difficulties. It can also be used to support learning with Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) and as a tool to support English as an additional language. LetMeType can be luanched from the ‘Writing’ section of MyStudyBar Version 2. To download MyStudyBar Version 2 select this link.

LetMyType can be launched from the Writing section of MyStudyBar

One of the main strengths of LetMeType is that every time you type a letter/character, it predicts or comes up with a list of the most likely words which fit your letters. For example, if you type the letter ‘t’ then depending which words are in the lexicon, LetMeType will predict words such as ‘today’, tomorrow’ etc, similar to the illustration below.

Example of word prediction using LetMeType

Custom Lexicons

LetMeType allows you to create custom lexicons. So if you have a learner who is studying biology and finds that writing complex words and phrases associated with this subject difficult, LetMeType can be set up to predict subject specific words.

Lexicons in other languages

Another feature of LetMeType is that it can also be set up to predict in other languages, for example, French, German, Polish, in fact any language that is available within Windows – which is a lot!

LetMyType can predict in many languages

Setting up an external alternative language keyboard

So, the first thing you need to do is to set up an additional language keyboard from within Windows. This allows you to connect an external keyboard, for example a keyboard which has a French, German or other language layout. To do this you need to go to ‘Start’, ‘Settings’ and open the ‘Control Panel’. In the ‘Control Panel’ seclect the ‘Regional and Languages Options’ icon. When the ‘Regional and Languages Options panel opens select the ‘Keyboards and Languages’ tab. The next stage is to select the ‘Change Keyboards’ button.

Setting up an alternative keyboard in Windows

You should now see the ‘Text Services and Input Languages’ panel. Finally select the ‘Add’ button and a list of all the available languages will appear – select your preferred language. You should also see the ‘Language Bar’ icon appear in the bottom right-hand side of the System Tray. If you can’t see the ‘Language Bar’ then select the ‘Language Bar’ tab on the ‘Text Services and Input Languages’ panel.

LetMyType can be used in combination with an onsreen keyboard

If you have an alternative language keyboard, you should now be able to attach it to your computer and start typing. If you don’t have an external keyboard then you can use the ‘on-screen’ keyboard by going to ‘Start’, ‘Programs’, ‘Accessories’, ‘Ease of Access’ (for Windows Vista and 7) and finally ‘On-screen Keyboard.’

Setting up LetMyType

The next stage is to set up LetMyType. To get started I’d recommend the LetMyType online tutorial. I used a French national newspaper to create the French lexicon.

Import text into LetMeType's lexicon

You can also view the LetMeType online video tutorial to find out how to create a new lexicon.

If you want to experiment you can download the same French lexicon here. Paste the lexicon into LetMeType and start typing using the same words in the lexicon. Remember you can also customise LetMyType to predict single words as well as phrases.

Sam Anderson, college lecturer and course tutor at Borders College has been running adult returner vocational classes for students who experience visual difficulties for a number of years. Sam has tended to use the screen reading program JAWS to support his students but many of his students, particularly those who are new to computing, have found it difficult to learn new keystrokes as well as learning a new program such as Word or finding out how to surf the Internet.

Sam set about looking for a program that would provide his students with all the features they needed to help with their studies, and ensure they were included in all aspects of their learning.

Find out how Guide software has enabled his students to access the curriculum – an excellent example of how assistive technology can be used to promote inclusive e-learning.

Sam talks about how Guide is helping his students

Download Sam’s text transcript

Jason’s story

Jason, a vision impaired student at Borders College, explains how Guide software has transformed his learning – an excellent video clip!

Download Jason’s text transcript

Karen’s story

Karen, who is registered blind, talks about how Guide software has helped her to surf the internet, send and receive emails and boost her skills and confidence.

Download Karen’s text transcript

Olive’s story

In this poignant video Olive talks about how Guide software has helped her to surf the internet, send emails and much more.

Download Olive’s text transcript

Introduction

Some of you might be familiar with the DAISY format. DAISY stands for Digital Accessible Information System and is associated with providing a standard for publishing digital talking books. DAISY is particuarly beneficial for blind or partially sighted users. The clip below shows an example of Jamie Cutherbertson using a tradtional ‘CD’ based DAISY player.

However recent developments have increasingly made DAISY an invaluable resource for everyone, and more importantly, a resource which is free and easy to make. What am I getting at here? Well to be more precise, free digital talking books or e-books which can be made by using Microsoft Word 2007, a free plug-in and best practice in using Word, i.e., Word documents as they are meant to be with headings, page numbers, and alternative descriptions etc, in a nutshell, accessible Word documents.

So here’s how you go about it. First of all you’ll need either Microsoft Word 2003 but preferably 2007. Don’t worry if you don’t have either of these as it also works with the open source alternative to Microsoft Office, Open Office.

The Accessibility tab - part of the "Save As DAISY" add-in

Download the “Save As DAISY” add in for Word

First of all visit the DAISY website and download the free “Save As DAISY” add-in for Word. Or alternatively the “Save As DIASY” for Open Writer.
So, for the purposes of this tutorial I’ll use Word 2007 as the example. Once you’ve installed the add-in you should see a new Accessibility tab in Word’s ribbon.
The next stage is to create an accessible Word document using appropriate headings etc. There’s plenty of advice and examples that you can gleam from the excellent JISC TechDis Accessibility Essentials series. I’ve also got some Creating Accessible Word and PDF tutorials on this blog. Alternatively you can download an example here.

When your document is ready you need to save it in the normal way and then click or select the “Validation” button which is located in the “Accessibility’ tab. This will check to make sure your document reaches the DIASY standards for publication. If there are any errors the Validation tool will give you advice and recommendations of the required changes.

Validating your Word document

Save As DAISY

The next stage is to save your document so it can be translated into the DAISY format. To do this click the Office button and then select ‘Save As DAISY’ and finally “Full DAISY (from single Docx) – this option will provide audio narration and text. The final audio will depend on the quality of the synthetic voice you have on your computer.

Save As DAISY Pipeline

You should now see the progress bar, similar to the illustration below:

Running the Pipeline translator: progress bar

Read and listen to your e-Book

Once your document has been converted to DIASY digital talking book you need a reader to be able to hear and read your conversion. I would recommend either the open source AMIS or the Book Wizard Reader. The Book Wizard Reader has some nice features such as options for Braille display, audio, text etc. It also works as a portable application which means you can carry it about with you on a USB pendrive and use it whenever you want.

You can read or listen to your e-book

So now you have it – a portable, easy-to-use free e-book!

How can you ensure your Word and PDF documents are accessible? Creating Accessible Word 2007 and PDF documents is an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide which will keep you on the right track.

Although the Guide is designed for delegates attending a workshop it can also be used as a standalone resource, e.g., as an introductory resource for those who are new to Word 2007.

The Guide is also supported with online video tutorials on the RSC Scotland North & East Youtube channel.

To find out more visit the ‘CC Guides’ section of the e-Inclusion blog.

MyStudyBar

Supporting e-inclusion

MyStudyBar is a suite of portable open source and freeware applications to support learners with literacy difficulties although MyStudy Bar is beneficial to all learners and all aspects of e-learning.

Download MyStudyBar and tutorials

You can now download the beta version of MyStudyBar and view a comprehensive set of tutorials to get you up and running in no time at all.

To find out more visit the Resources section of the e-inclusion blog

I know I’m always harking on about how good the voice recognition is in Windows Vista and Windows 7 – well here’s the proof of the pudding! A quick screencast which covers some of the main features of Windows Speech Recognition.  I’m sure you’ll agree, it is very powerful!

View the Windows Speech Recognition screencast