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Software, hardware and free downloadable resources

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Here you'll find companies specialising in SEN hardware and software. We've also put lots of teacher freebies here: freely downloadable resources and links to more. Please email the Check The Map team if you have suggestions for this area.

  • Alarm Clock on your PC

    http://xavier.bangor.ac.uk/xavier/swgal/Clock/clock.htm

    What better way to help those with issues around understanding time and remaining on a task for set periods than a lovely big analogue on-screen clock with a programmable alarm? Thanks to Dave Lane, here's one that can be downloaded from this link (or used directly whilst you're connected to the Internet).

  • Art Rage - FREE, excellent art package!

    http://www.ambientdesign.com/artrage.html

    This has soared to the top of my favourite freebies list. It's a small file to download and offers a fantastically simple art tool to explore the media of felt pen, chalk, oil paint, crayon and even a palette knife. Brilliant for touch screens, interactive whiteboards and early mouse skills, this will encourage creativity, choice making and group work. Pictures can be exported to other programs when you're done. For PCs or Macs and highly recommended.

  • Biggy - Large mouse cursor

    http://downloads.cnet.co.uk/0,39100210,39329560s,00.htm

    This download link takes you to BiggyLite - a selection of the larger commercially available Biggy. Biggy helps you to take control of the mouse pointer - it makes it bigger, animated, left-handed, lockable... you name it. Biggy is an excellent program, and this free trial will enable you to test it out and see if it meets your needs.

  • CANDLE Free Downloads

    http://www.contactcandle.co.uk/downloads.htm

    Resources and guidance booklets

  • Charlie's Graphics

    http://www.charliesgraphics.com/about.htm

    This is a very useful FREE resource where you can browse and download graphics, intended to support facilitators who are planning with people, or anyone looking to make information easier to understand. The graphics are age appropriate and simple in design. You need to register to browse the gallery which is free and took Check The Map about five seconds. An invaluable resource - thanks to Charlie for telling us about it.

  • Christmas Activities

    http://www.communication4all.co.uk/Christmas%20specials.htm

    Designed for the Interactive Whiteboard, this is a collection of Christmas themed letter formation activities. There is also a Christmas story and Christmas countdown Advent calendar. All download as PowerPoint resources. Our thanks to Kathryn Stowell of Charlton School for spreading news of this seasonal goody.

  • Click 2 Go

    http://www.click2go.ie

    Innovative Products for People with Special Needs. This site gives details of specialised joysticks and switch-based devices. email contact: info@click2go.ie

  • Click Special ED

    http://www.clickspecialednz.com/index.html

    Full of FREE resources, excellent materials and a brilliant example of how the web can be used to connect people, ideas and resources for our community. While its focus is on the other side of the world much of the content is relevant to everybody. Thanks to Sally Paveley for suggesting this site.

  • Cool Iris

    http://www.cooliris.com/product/

    The fastest way to browse photos and videos, with no text and easy targetted access. This is a very useful and free download which is ideal for those who love to access You Tube/ Face Book and other videos and photos but find navigation and text links difficult. Excellent for touch screens, and practicing holding and draggin with the mouse. It's customisable too, so you can see a few or lots of links at once according to ability. You can read about how it's been used with people with learning disabilities on the Big Tree Blog (also linked to Check The Map). Happy browsing :)

  • Dasher: Predictive Text Entry (Free Software)

    http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/dasher/SpecialNeeds.html

    This is a new type of text input software. Dasher can be driven by a trackerball, joystick, touchscreen, head/foot mouse, eye tracker... anything that takes the role of a mouse. It allows users to record text quickly and intuitively, giving a completely hands-free writing system. For more information, a demonstration and free download, visit the website.

  • Disable Right Mouse Click

    http://www.babymouse.org/

    An excellent and much sought after bit of freeware. Turn off the right mouse click for any length of time and help a student use the mouse more effectively. The Pro version also allows you to keep the mouse within a defined area of the screen, as well as turn off any/all of the mouse buttons (right/left/scroll), and disable different keys on the keyboard, number pad and special keys... no more random clicking or unwanted key presses - genius! Thanks to Claire Barnes at Willow Dene school for telling us about this.

  • Dwell Click Free Software

    http://www.oatsoft.org/Software/dwell-click

    This is an excellent and simple dwell clicker. Ideal for those who can operate the mouse pointer, but not the buttons. For example, users of a head mouse such as the Smart NAV can use this software to control mouse operated Windows programs. You can: * specify the size of the target for users who cannot hold the pointer in one place. * change the length of time for a dwell to be accepted * turn sounds on or off * move the dwell clicker window around the screen

  • Dynamo Maths

    http://www.dynamomaths.co.uk

    Dynamo Maths is a three stage programme that addresses the needs of children who are dyscalculic or struggling with maths. It develops an intuitive grasp of number and number relationships using audio and visual stimuli. The programme supports the research that indicates that there may be specific areas such as working memory impairments or core deficits in acquiring these early vital mathematical skills. Dynamo Maths supports the thinking process of children struggling with maths and has drawn extensively from research on how the brain learns maths.

  • Dyslexic.com

    http://www.dyslexic.com/home.php

    Helping dyslexic people make the most of their abilities. We stock a wide range of software, gadgets, and other products for people with dyslexia, visual impairments and other disabilities.

  • EnorMouse

    http://www.fxc.btinternet.co.uk/assistive.htm

    The biggest mouse cursor (6 x 3.5cm) available on the web, and it's free! Made by Chris Stringfellow for anyone with difficulty tracking the mouse pointer. This is an excellent download - you'll find it by clicking the link and scrolling to the bottom of the page. You can change the colour once it's loaded by right clicking the icon in the task bar. If you like it, be kind enough to email Chris and tell him.

  • Flickr - Online Photo Management

    http://www.flickr.com/learn_more.gne

    Share or find photos with this great new online application. Flickr is a way to show your photos to the people who matter to you. With Flickr you can: * Show off your favourite photos to the world * Blog the photos you take with a cameraphone * Securely and privately show photos to your friends and family around the world. For teachers, parents and students - this site is easy to use (though you need to use a mouse and keyboard) and has been recommended to Check The Map as an easy way to share your photos to the people you want to see them. And basic accounts are free!

  • Free Digital Photos

    http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

    Using photos is one way of making documents greatly more appealing and accessible for students with special needs. Here you'll find a collection of quality photos that can be used for any purpose including teaching aids and homework. Search and browse functions allow you to find images from different contexts, from everyday items, to people, places and animals.

  • Free Sensory Stories

    http://www.portland-school.co.uk/petes-stuff/petesstuff.htm

    Pete Wells creates disgustingly wonderful sensory stories for use with the children of Portland School. This page contains free downloads to 'Norbert, the green nosed reindeer', 'Dozy Dwight on Bonfire Night', 'Sydney and the Bogeyman' and most recently, 'God's 6th Day Rejects' Enjoy.

  • Free programs to download

    http://www.inclusive.co.uk/downloads/downloads.shtml

    Here you'll find downloads for Music Games, SEN Switcher, Talking Faces and a switch accessible CD Player. Excellent games, quick to download, for Windows PCs and Macs, and totally FREE!!!!

  • Fx Software

    http://www.fxc.btinternet.co.uk

    Free Assistive Software

  • Ghotit

    http://www.Ghotit.com

    Ghotit offers unique writing and reading online services for people with dyslexia, dysgraphia or people who are not native-English speakers.

  • Ginger Software

    http://www.gingersoftware.com

    Ginger Software developed a ground breaking assistive software for people with Dyslexia and other learning difficulties. The software uses context to correct, with the click of a button, whole sentences containing misused words and multiple severe spelling mistakes.

  • IanSyst

    http://www.iansyst.co.uk/home.php

    iANSYST Ltd are specialist suppliers of computers and IT solutions for disabled people of all ages. We have our own range of made-to-order PCs, and can also supply Apple Macs and a selected range of Notebooks. By arrangement with the VAT Office, we are able to supply computers VAT-free to disabled customers

  • Ideas sheets for Assistive Technologies

    http://www.cenmac.com/get.php?page=index&type=advice

    CENMAC have loads of ideas sheets for teachers and parents. These include using your communication devices, note takers, switches, switch acessible software, Clicker, Neos, Penfriend, symbols, specialised mice, IntelliKeys, cause and effect, spelling... you name it. If you're in a mainstream or special needs inclusive setting with adults or kids, looking at this site will save you a whole lot of time. Many thanks to Ann and Trish at CENMAC for sharing these resources.

  • Inclusive Technology - The Special Needs People

    http://www.inclusive.co.uk/

    We supply software for many different areas of Special Needs including early learning, communication, older learners, across all areas of the National Curriculum and for Dyslexia. In our hardware range you will find hundreds of different access devices: touch monitors, switches, keyboards, roller mice.. you name it. Inclusive have a specialist team of advisors on hand to give you more information, training and consultancy.

  • Intensive Interaction web resources

    http://www.leedspft.nhs.uk/our_services/ld/intensiveinteraction

    Intensive Interaction is a practical approach to interacting with people with severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities and/or autism. There is nothing difficult or expert about Intensive Interaction, it is a very practical approach to communication and socialising with people who do not find it easy communicating or being social. Visit the website for further information downloads and links provided by Leeds Partnerships NHS Trust

  • Interactive Computing Crossword

    http://www.assist-it.org.uk/assets/content/learning_resources.htm

    You can use this as a learning resource for Information Technology at Access Level 3 / Intermediate Level 1. If the clues are too difficult, you can edit them by clicking in the text clue/text box. Check out all the other fabulous resources for English and Maths under this link too.

  • Interactive Tasks Using MS Word

    http://www.assist-it.org.uk/assets/content/learning_resources.htm

    Thanks to the hard work Craig at Assist IT you'll find lots of FREE interactive curriculum resources on this link. Try picture matching with the Romans, or for older learners, a cloze exercise about mobile phone technology. This site has many other excellent resources too - definitely worth a look!

  • Large & Alternative Mouse Cursors

    http://ace-centre.hostinguk.com/index.cfm?pageid=F5F26649-3048-7290-FEA80B8B637BF760

    Problems using a mouse? This might be the answer. You'll find over 80 additional pointers and cursors for those with visual or perceptual difficulties. Icon styles include animated, coloured, large, I-beams and circles. Thanks to David Colven of the ACE Centre for providing this link.

  • Learn to use a Mouse

    http://www.lawrencegoetz.com/programs/mousepractice/

    A simple set of activities to help older users practice mouse skills such as clicking, double clicking and dragging. Bits can be played online, or you can download more activities if you wish. Our thanks to Chris Brett from the Holbrook Centre for Autism for telling us about this link.

  • Learn with Leo

    http://www.learnwithleo.com

    Learn With Leo has computer based learning resources for primary and pupils with special needs. Programs can be used on a P.C. or with an interactive whiteboard. This site has free trial downloads for software games centered around shapes, the weather, animals and colours.

  • Left-Handed Mouse Pointers - Free

    http://www.fxc.btinternet.co.uk/assistive.htm

    Adding to the brilliant range of freebies under this link, you'll find a range of big, bold left mouse pointers (i.e. pointing to the right). Use these with the left-handed mouse configuration (swop the buttons under the control panel mouse settings in Windows). Thanks again to Chris Stringfellow for a wonderful free download.

  • MathsBuddy

    http://www.mathsbuddy.co.uk

    Helping Children of all abilities become better and more confident in maths - primary level

  • Minute Timer

    http://www.pc-tools.net/win32/mintimer/

    This is an excellent idea to help increase concentration span and time awareness. Perhaps you want a student to write for two minutes, or to complete an activity within 10 minutes? Clicking this link takes you to a freely downloadable timer. Simply choose the length of time you want to countdown and click start to turn on the timer. When the time's up, a message will appear in the middle of the screen to tell you - simple, but effective. Thanks to Tara Marshall for contributing this.

  • NAACE - Activities Downloads

    http://www.mape.org.uk/activities/

    There are a ton of free activities to be downloaded from this site and used in the primary classroom and for Special Needs. The current list of choices include Find the Pairs | Poem Maker | Jumbo | Number Board | Quiz Maker | Discloze | Discloze Editor | Big Books | Big Book Maker | Video Book Maker | Sir Henry Unton | Sorting Games | Whodunnit? | Greenfield Road | Owl Box | Random Number Generator | Team Draw | History Photo Quiz | Maths Treasure Trails | History Treasure Trails | Number Mystery | MFL | Lost Owls | Bounce | My World Screens

  • Numeracy Tasks using MS Excel

    http://www.assist-it.org.uk/assets/content/learning_resources.htm

    Our thanks to Craig at Assist IT for supplying this link to some fabulous and FREE numeracy resources. Try your hand at times tables, easy sums and adding and subtracting. Simple, colourful resources that will be very useful for all that extra maths practice -and totally accessible with a mouse, keyboard, touch screen, switch (and onscreen keyboard), concept keyboard... brilliant.

  • One Switch

    http://www.oneswitch.org.uk

    A resource of fun ideas, art and music and 'assistive technology', for and by moderate to severely learning/physically disabled people. Video games are fun and also give people the power to do amazing things that they would be unable to in real life. With the right specialised hardware, many standard video games can be played by anyone, no matter the disability. "One Switch Gaming" is especially interested in games playable with a single switch, and in campaigning for accessibility features in all games. There are a number of free downloadable arcade games here which are quite advanced in that they require either rapid button pushes or fairly accurate timing. All are switch accessible, naturally.

  • Philip's Large Cursors

    http://www.philip-henderson.co.uk

    Clear large cursors for MS Windows platform - free to download for use on your PC. A wonderful range of cursor alternatives for students who find the standard range of cursors difficult to see. You can choose from a range of colours and all the icons are clear and very well thought out. I'm using the red pointer set right now and it's excellent. Many thanks to Philip Henderson for creating this fabulous resource.

  • QualiWEB

    http://www.qualilife.co.uk

    If you can't use a mouse you cannot use the internet - fact! QualiWeb Pro enables people with disabilities, (principally anyone who cannot use a mouse), to surf the net and use internet based services. Whatever the disability right up to complete paralysis users can move the cursor around the screen using any one of a variety of methods which include manual scan, auto scan, XY mouse, radar mouse or directional mouse and auto-click on links without actually touching the computer. An on-screen keyboard allows users to key in text or numerals directly into web pages, again, without the use of a mouse or even the need to touch the computer.

  • SEN Teacher

    http://www.senteacher.org/main/files.php

    Resources, freeware downloads, links and documents for those involved in the education of pupils with learning difficulties, autism and other special educational needs. Some of the materials may also be of use to teachers and parents of primary aged children. All material here is free for educational use, but please do not add content to other sites, CDs etc without permission.

  • SENIT - SEN Information Technology

    http://www.senit.org

    Independent advice and ideas for the use of technology in Special Educational Needs. An unrivalled site for clear advice, tutorials, accessibility and lots of downloads. Always worth a visit.

  • SIP - Symbols Inclusion Project

    http://www.widgit.com/SIP/index.htm

    Widgit Software and Warwickshire Education Authority working together using symbols to create resources, to support inclusion in mainstream Primary schools for KS1 and KS2. FREE Resources to download and use in your school!

  • Sarah Greenland Early Learning

    http://www.sarahgreenland.com/downloads.htm

    This link takes you to three FREE excellent little downloads for programs to aid early learning:- K1 kaleidoscope demo, Pre Mouse and Touch Screen Mazes. They are quick and easy to download and make great little freebies for targetted ICT skills using switches, mouse and touchscreen.

  • Scratch Programming Environment

    http://www.scratch.mit.edu

    This is a highly recommended free download for simple programming, drawing, interactive animations etc suitable for all ages. You can make personalised switch programs full of sound and pictures that are very motivating. Used by visitors to Check The Map for students working at P-Levels 8 and above. Accessible by every means and very addictive. Many thanks to Chrissie Wilson, Chilworth House School for the recommendation.

  • Strange Attractors: Accessible Switch Game

    http://www.ominousdev.com/

    This is weird, and excellent. Single switch presses are all that's required (mimicks space bar). The developers say: Strange Attractors is an experimental, action-puzzler in which the player navigates through a variety of bizarre worlds by controlling the forces of gravity using an elegant and unique interface. Check The Map says: You could use this with someone building cause and effect, right up to someone understanding timing, scoring and more. It's a lot of fun. Try it.

  • Switch Access for Windows

    http://www.ace-centre.org.uk/html/software/saw/dcsaw/Downloads.html

    A great FREE download from the ACE Centre. Switch Access to Windows (SAW) enables users to access Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000 and XP applications using one or two switches. The download includes extensive help files which include tutorials.

  • Switch Accessible Games And Activities Available on the Web

    http://www.switchedonlearning.org/cms/sol/index.php?vsite=1&Area=200&SubSectionOf=198

    The Switched-On Learning project aims to provide quality multimedia learning objects and resources that can help students with disabilities learn and explore independently. This page gives links to lots more downloadable freebies, accessible sites and other software for simple, switch accessible games. Things you'll find here include Alien Invasion, Brickout and Ruby Ridge,Switch Activated Videos, Talking Books and Counting Songs.

  • Tux Paint - free art software

    http://www.tuxpaint.org/

    Tux Paint is a free, award-winning drawing program for children ages 3 to 12 (key stages 1 & 2). It combines an easy-to-use interface, fun sound effects, and an encouraging cartoon mascot who guides children as they use the program. Recommended to Check the Map by Deborah Moppett of Harlow Fields School.

  • Tux Typing: touchtyping download

    http://tux4kids.alioth.debian.org/tuxtype/download.php

    Another recommendation to add to the growing number of free touch typing games online.

  • Typing Fun

    http://www.a4tech.com.cn/typingfun/index_en.asp

    A free download for a simple typing program. Very easy to use, just click the download button on the bottom of the page. This has music and cartoons to motivate, and three different levels to sustain practice. Enjoy.

  • Widgit Software

    http://www.widgit.com/

    Widgit Software is the longest running Special Educational Needs software company in the UK. Its products are designed to develop literacy using pictures, symbols and words, particularly for learners who have a measure of difficulty in developing traditional orthographic skills.

  • WordBank

    http://www.word-bank.com

    A website helping people to understand difficult words and jargon. Also, a tool which can be used on your own website.

  • ZAC Browser - Zone for Autistic Children

    http://www.zacbrowser.com/

    ZAC is the first web browser developed specifically for children with autism, and autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), and PDD-NOS. We have made this browser for the children - for their enjoyment, enrichment, and freedom. Children touch it, use it, play it, interact with it, and experience independence through ZAC. Thank you to Mart Pistorius for finding and recommending this little gem on the web.

  • Zen Key - Computer Control Through Your Keyboard

    http://www.camiweb.com/zenkey

    The Zenkey is a FREE program that allows you to control almost all aspects of your computer via the keyboard. It can control the speed of the mouse pointer from keyboard shortcuts. Using keystrokes that work no matter which program you are in, you can do actions like launch a program or bring it back into focus; open a document, folder or Internet resource; perform an Internet search; minimize or maximize a window; issue a Media command. You can add any program, add or alter any menu, and assign any keystroke to perform any action. A massive thank you to David Colven for recommending this. Works on 98 NT 2k Me XP 95 2003 machines.

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