Works like DOS's DIR command with the following enhancements: large character output, automatic pause at end of page, allows sorted directory listing, allows omission of fields. For full range magnification this program works best with color monitor or a monocrome monitor with b/w graphics card and ANSI .Sys. Freeware.
Download: bdir.zip (19k)
BEDIT is a text editor that uses a variety of character sizes to display all output, including help and error messages. The characters range from normal text size to large block characters that each take up 4 standard rows and 8 standard columns. Includes Word -Abbreviation Dictionary.
BEDIT was originally written to make a low-price editor available to users with vision impairment but might also be used on laptops, which tend to impair everyone's vision. Shareware ($30). Demonstration copy is fully functional. For full range magnification this program works best with color monitor or a monocrome monitor with b/w graphics card and ANSI .Sys.
Download: bedit.zip (57k)
BLOOK reads a text file into memory and displays it using large characters. You can use the arrow keys to display any part of the file in any order. This differs from BTYPE, where once you pass some data in the file, you can't go back and look at it again unless you start all over. Files are limited to what can fit in memory. For full range magnification this program works best with color monitor or a monocrome monitor with b/w graphics card and ANSI .Sys. Freeware.
Download: blook.zip (23k)
BPOP serves as a memory-resident magnifying glass. It pops up over text mode screens of other software and enlarges them, making them easier to read. BPOP was written for vision impaired users, but can be used in any situation where it is hard to see the computer screen, such as enlarging faint letters on a laptop or making a computer demonstration visible to people in the back of a conference room or classroom. Shareware ($27). For full range magnification this program works best with color monitor or a monocrome monitor with b/w graphics card and ANSI .Sys. Demonstration copy is fully functional.
Download: bpop.zip (29k)
BTYPE works like DOS's TYPE command to display ASCII text files, but BTYPE uses large character output. Since the file is displayed top to bottom, and does not have to be in memory all at once, BTYPE has no limit on the size of files it can display. For full range magnification this program works best with color monitor or a monocrome monitor with b/w graphics card and ANSI .Sys. Freeware.
Download: btype.zip (20k)
MEGAN'S TOY is a memory-resident utility that allows users to 'zoom' in on any 13 character (horizontal) by 4 character (vertical) section of screen display (text modes only). Features:
Download: wpk.zip (18k)
ZOOM/Share is the shareware version of ZOOM, a software magnifier which displays characters in big and huge character sizes. ZOOM works on text screens generated by CGA, EGA, VGA or Hercules video cards connected to color or monochrome displays. In addition to visually impaired users, ZOOM Share can be used on laptops, and to increase readability during demos and shows.
ZOOM Share is a Terminate and Stay Resident program. It Pops on top of any Text application at the touch of a hot key. You don't need to buy an expensive 'big character' word processor. ZOOM Share also works at the DOS level too, and can magnify DOS commands, directory listings, files listings, etc. Shareware ($12).
Download: zoomsh.zip (40k)
1KEY is a memory resident program designed specifically for severely physically handicapped users, who are unable to use the regular keyboard. The program enables them to use most computer programs by controlling a single key.
A predefined keyboard is displayed and scanned. The user is required to select the desired key, by hitting any key (or keys) on the keyboard. Other switches (like mouse buttons) can be used as well. A software interface for programming individual keyboards (number of keys, size, color, and scan speed) is provided. Copyright IBM Israel. Shareware (no commercial use is allowed).
Download: 1keyi.zip (77k)
No-Keys is a program designed to allow a person to input text into any program without using the keyboard. It allows a mouse, trackball, or similar device to input text to DOS or most programs. It is designed for people with disabilities who cannot use a keyboard because they have limited motion of their arms, but can still make small motions with their hands or fingers. Shareware ($25).
Download: nokeys.zip (21k)
MindReader is a type-ahead word processor. This software is a powerful text editor that uses patented artificial intelligence techniques to suggest completion of words and/or phrases. It allows an unskilled typist to complete a document in a fraction of the keystrokes normally required with a conventional word processor, and checks spelling "on-the-fly"before words are even completed. The more you use MindReader, the smarter it becomes because it learns about your style of writing. It contains a unique facility that "guesses" the word or phrase that you are trying to type and presents its "guess" in a pop-up window. A single keystroke will call the word or phrase into the text. MindReader includes most features found in good word processors, plus items like glossaries with 260 canned phrases, pop-up calendar, Rolodex, and diary. This is a fascinating program and is perfect for the slower typist as well as the busy professional. This disk has been made available from: Computer Use in Social Services Network.
Download: mindread.zip (173k)
Other DOS Word Completion/Prediction Information
For an in-depth discussion of word completion/ prediction and a list of
companies which produce word completion/ prediction products, go to:
http://trace.wisc.edu/text/computer/multi/ctg_wp.html
This particular Speech package has been produced to enable a user to access the information on an IBM or suitable clone using synthetic speech. The software is loaded into the computer and then it protects itself and stays in memory while you run other programs. The program sends appropriate information to the speech synthesiser. Essentially the program will enable you to access the computer in three ways: 1) speak what you type into the computer either by character or by word (or not at all), 2) speak what is on the screen, and 3) speak what is sent to the display. Shareware.
Download: hal16.zip (90k)
Hot Dots is a braille translation program. It is designed to take word processing files and turn them into braille. If you do not have access to a braille embosser, then you will have difficulty evaluating this program. Demonstration.
Download: hotdots.zip (276k)
1-KEY is a program for people with physical disabilities who can only press "one-key-at-a-time" on a computer keyboard, or who have trouble pressing a key and releasing it before the key repeats. It latches the shift, alt, and ctrl keys. Freeware.
Download: 1key.zip (3k)
Many handicapped individuals can only use a keyboard with one finger, a mouth stick, or a headstick. This introduces two problems; one is that the individual cannot use two-key combinations, the other is that they may not release the key before it repeats. 1-FINGER includes a "Shift Feature" that allows the user to press the shift key and then the modifier key to envoke a two-key combination and a "Key Repeat Delay" Feature that allows a user to configure the amount of time the user has to release the key. Freeware (developed at the Trace R&D Center).
Download: 1finger.zip (13k)
Lets you type control/alt/shift (CAS), let go, then type another key for the key combination. Can substitute the CAS keys for each other. Also displays status, beep, override and other features, including a special provision for alt numeric keypad combinations. Shareware ($5).
Download:1fingerc.zip (11k)
ALT.COM locks the alt key of the keyboard to allow ASCII codes to be entered on the number pad.
Download: altcom.zip (2k)
KeyLock is a program to help physically handicapped persons to use a PC. For someone who can only hit one key at a time, key sequences like control-C or alt-F1 or ctrl-alt-delete become impossible. This program changes the ctrl, alt, and the left shift keys into locking keys, much like the NumLock or CapsLock keys. Freeware.
Download: keylock.zip (3k)
LOCK is a utility to set/reset NumLock, CapsLock, and ScrollLock.
Download: lock.zip (1k)
STICKEY allows upper-case and other "mode" characters like Shift-a,
Ctrl-z, or Ctrl-Alt-Del to be entered by pressing the mode and character
keys one after the other, rather than holding down the mode key while
pressing the character key. For example, to enter the character Ctrl-z,
first press the
Download: stickey.zip (6k)
STAYDOWN is a TSR program that permits a shifting key (shift, ctrl, alt) to
be physically released while remaining logically depressed until the key it
was supposed to modify is actually depressed.
Enable Reader Professional Speech System screen reader software
supporting the following seven speech synthesizers on an IBM: Artic
Technologies (Speech Board), Speech Plus (CallText 5050), Digital
Equipment Corp. (DecTalk), Street Electronics (Echo GP), Votrax, Inc.
(Votalker IB), Votrax, Inc. (Votrax PSS), and Votrax, Inc. (Votrax PSS/B).
Download: enable.zip (287k)
RALPH THE READER can display an ASCII text file, WordPerfect or
Wordstar file to the computer's monitor and/or speech synthesizer a
screen at a time, jump to the beginning or end of any file immediately, jump
to any line number within a file, search forward or backward in a file for any
text string, and search forward or backward for control characters.
Shareware ($10).
Download: ralph.zip (29k)
SoftSwitch provides alternative input capabilities for the IBM and
compatible personal computers (PC), allowing it to be controlled by one or
more adaptive ("ability") switches. These switches include using the
mouse, an on-screen keyboard, or morse code (one of its best features).
SoftSwitch is primarily intended for anyone who has difficulty operating the
computer's keyboard or mouse. SoftSwitch works in parallel with your
existing keyboard or mouse, allowing supplemental or co-operative use. It
can be configured to provide either keystrokes equivalent to your
keyboard, or mouse operations equivalent to your mouse, depending on
the program you wish to control. You should think of SoftSwitch as a tool
by which you can make a wide range of DOS programs available to switch
users. These programs would otherwise be inaccessible. Go to:
Download: ss.zip (32k)
For Other DOS Software Resources available, including AccessDOS. Go to:
CAPTAIN'S LOG demonstrates a cognitive rehabilitation system. These
programs provide a demonstration of software designed to train basic
cognitive functions including attention, concentration, memory,
visual-motor, numeric concepts, and reasoning skills. They are for use
with individuals age 6+ with head injuries, learning disabilities, strokes,
mental retardation, or to facilitate early learning. It can also be used as a
pre-post drug treatment assessment tool for attention deficit disorder. A
mouse is required for the program, but not for this demonstration. Color
graphics required. This software has been made available from: Computer
Use in Social Services Network. Demonstration.
Download: captain.zip (120k)
Microsoft distributes Dvorak Keyboard Layouts that make the most
frequently typed characters on a keyboard more accessible to people who
have difficulty using the standard "QWERTY" layout. There are three
Dvorak layouts: one for two-handed users, one for people who type only
with their left hand, and one for people who type only with their right hand.
The left or right-hand keyboard layouts can also be used by people who
type with a wand. Go to: http://www.microsoft.com/kb/softlib/
Download: dvk_dos.zip (8k)
STYPE types a file to the screen controlled by an IBM Enhanced Graphics
Adaptor, using variable speed smooth scroll. If no file name is supplied, it
will read from standard in (eg: STYPE < FILENAME, or PROGRAM | STYPE),
and thus can act as a "MORE" type filter. Freeware.
Download: stype.zip (3k)
TYPESLOW copies a file to the standard output, delaying for a short time
between characters. This allows the input to be read more easily, as
perhaps part of a demonstration or instructional batch file. Shareware
($5).
Download: typeslow.zip (8k)
DOS Programs for Reading the Screen
Enable Reader 4.0
DOS Switch Access Program
SoftSwitch 6.4
http://www.rit.edu/~easi/resource/kaitlin.html (Alternate Input)DOS Miscellaneous
Other DOS Software Resources
http://trace.wisc.edu/trace/computer/dos/
Text links and ftp provided by Trace Center