This document provides guidance on transitioning to college and discusses various tools to support reading and writing for students with disabilities, including Balabolka literacy software, the Kindle app, Windows Speech Recognition, phone apps, and PowerTalk for PowerPoint. It summarizes the key features and functions of these apps to help students access textbooks and class materials using text-to-speech.

1. Transition to College
with the MITS Freedom Stick

2. the freedom to do it yourself
Part Three: Reading and Writing

3. Reading and Writing Support
1. Balabolka
2. Using the Kindle App for Windows
3. Using Windows Speech Recognition
4. Phone Support
5. PowerTalk for PowerPoint

4. Balabolka
Literacy Software
• Reads to you with Word-
by-Word highlighting
• Use as Word Processor
with "read back" for
editing

5. Balabolka Open/Import
Go to File
then "Open"
Box will display "All
supported formats"
which can be
opened or imported

6. Basic Controls
Read from
Cursor

7. Basic Controls
Pause

8. Basic Controls
Stop

9. Balabolka Read/Highlight
Word-by-Word
highlighting and
"already read" color
switching

10. Balabolka Reading Speed
Adjust reading speed
based on content and
your needs

11. Balabolka Font/Size Choice
Go to View
then
"Fonts and Colors"
Go to Font
Choose Font
and Size

12. Balabolka Copy/Paste to Doc
Go to Edit
then
"Select All" or
Ctrl + A
Then to Edit
"Copy" or Ctrl + C
Paste into Open Office Writer or
Microsoft Word or Email

13. Kindle App for PC
Many textbooks are now
available for Kindle (from
Amazon).
• You need not have a
Kindle to read Kindle
Books
• Kindle Apps are
available for PC, for
MacOS, for Android
• Kindle allows you
tcopy/paste text from
the App to Balabolka
for Text-To-Speech

14. Kindle App for PC
The Kindle App is NOT on
the Freedom Stick, you
must download it from the
Amazon Site, or the
Android Market
• http://www.amazon.co
m/gp/kindle/pc/downl
oad

15. Copying from Kindle
• Use your cursor to
sweep across a
paragraph or all the
text on a page.
• Then click Copy
• You cannot copy
more than one page
at a time.

16. Pasting to Balabolka
Go to File
then "New"
Go to File
then "Paste" or Ctrl + V
You will have to do this page-by-
page by then you will have full
control of Text-To-Speech and
Editing

17. Kindle App Features
Dictionary

18. Kindle App Features
Take Notes

19. Windows Speech Recognition
Every Windows (Vista,
Windows 7, Windows 8)
computer includes Speech
Recognition.
With this you can dictate rather
than "keyboard."

20. Windows Speech Recognition
Go to Start Menu
then "All Programs"
then "Accessories"
Choose "Ease of Access"
Click "Windows Speech Recognition"
Place Icon Shortcut on Desktop
Right-Click on
"Windows Speech Recognition"
Choose "Send To"
Choose "Desktop: Create Shortcut"

21. Windows Speech Recognition
Click on Microphone You must dictate all
You must dictate to Word or
or say punctuation marks.
WordPad and then
"Start Listening" Say, "Period," "Comma," or
Copy/Paste to Open Office
"New Paragraph"

22. Windows Speech Recognition
On your own computer Right-Click on Corner Click on "Next"
you can improve accuracy of Recognition Widget and follow directions. You
Choose "Configuration" will dictate to the computer.
through training
Then "Improve Voice
Recognition"

23. Windows Speech Recognition
Complete Guide

24. Mobile Phones
Dictate instead of keyboard
on Android or iPhone/iPad/iTouch
Native Android App
VLingo for Android Dragon for iPhone

25. Dragon on iPhone
Dragon Dictate is free for
iPhone/iPad/iTouch

26. Text-To-Speech on iPhone
"Speak Selection" in iOS 5

27. VLingo on Android
VLingo is a free download
from the Android Market

28. VLingo "in Car"
VLingo is a free download
from the Android Market

29. Android Speech Recognition
Speech Recognition is built into
all Android Devices

30. Android Book Text-To-
Speech
Mantano Reader Premium
$4.99 download

31. PowerTalk
PowerTalk
Reads PowerPoint Presentations
Out Loud

32. PowerTalk
Select a Presentation will automatically open in
PowerPoint "full screen" and each slide will be
Presentation read to you as you advance

33. Balabolka PowerTalk
Freedom Stick
Getting Started