A resource for every classroom · No purchase order required
Free assistive technology, ready for your classroom today
A curated, need-organized directory of assistive tools that cost nothing — many already built into the devices your school owns — matched to the way your learners with special needs actually work.
01
Identify the learner's actual need — reading, writing, communication, attention, or access.
02
Match it to one tool below. Start with what's already on the device.
03
Teach it once, then track independent use with an AT Passport.
Start here
Before installing anything new, check what's already on the device your learner uses — Immersive Reader and the built-in screen readers below are already licensed on most school laptops and Chromebooks at no extra cost.
READING • WRITING • COMMUNICATION • ATTENTION & ORGANIZATION • HEARING & VISION ACCESS •
Start with the barrier, not the brand. Choose the category that matches what your learner is struggling with, then pick one tool to try.
Reading
Tools for learners who struggle to decode words, track lines of text, or hold meaning while reading.
Writing
For learners who know what they want to say but struggle to get it onto the page or fix their own errors.
Communication
For learners who communicate more reliably through pictures, symbols, or a device than speech alone.
Three things to know
Before you start
Start built-in
Check the device first
Most Windows, Mac, and Chromebook devices already include a screen reader, dictation, live captions, and display adjustments. These are free, pre-installed, and often overlooked.
Match, don't default
One tool doesn't fit every need
Text-to-speech helps a learner who struggles to decode text. It won't help a learner who struggles to organize their time. Pick the category that matches the actual barrier.
Vet before you adopt
Free still means checking privacy
Before adding any new app to your classroom, check what student data it collects, whether it requires an account, and whether it shows ads. See the note near the bottom of this page.
For generating, editing, and organizing text
Writing Support
For learners who know what they want to say but struggle to get it onto the page, or to catch their own errors while writing.
Google Docs Voice Typing
Turns speech into text in real time. Found under Tools > Voice Typing in any Google Doc — no add-on required.
Windows & Mac Dictation
System-wide speech-to-text (Win + H or Mac shortcut) that works in almost any app, not just a browser.
Built-in Spelling & Grammar
Google Docs and Word both flag spelling, grammar, and clarity issues as a student types, lightening the self-editing load.
ARASAAC symbol library
A free, openly licensed library of picture symbols for building low-tech picture boards or digital communication supports.
For expressive and receptive communication
For learners who communicate more reliably through pictures, symbols, or a device than through speech alone.
Built-in text-to-speech
The same read-aloud engines used for reading support can voice typed words for a learner who communicates more easily by typing or selecting than by speaking.
Communication Support
Entry-level free AAC apps
Several app-store AAC apps offer a genuinely free tier for basic picture-based communication. Always vet the specific app’s data practices with your school before use.
Attention & Organization Support
For pacing, sequencing, and staying on task
For learners who need visible structure to start, sustain, and complete a task.
Google Keep or Tasks
Free visual checklists that break a multi-step assignment into small, checkable pieces a learner can track independently.
Built-in focus modes
Windows Focus Assist and Mac Focus reduce notification overload during independent work, without installing anything new.
Visual timers
The clock or timer already built into any classroom device or interactive display gives a concrete, visible countdown that supports transitions.
Hearing & Vision Access
For accessing spoken or visual content
For learners who need audio made visible, or visual content made larger and clearer.
Live captions
Live Caption (Chrome, Windows) and Live Transcribe (Android) generate real-time captions for any audio or spoken conversation, free and on-device.
Screen magnifier & high contrast
Every school laptop and Chromebook already includes a magnifier and high-contrast display mode in its accessibility settings.
Adjustable font & color settings
Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 both let a learner increase font size and adjust color contrast directly in the document, reducing visual strain.
For decoding, following, and comprehending text
Reading Support
For learners who struggle to decode words, track lines of text, or hold meaning while reading independently.
Free AT Toolkit Teacher Training Course
Work through these short videos to learn how to use free, built-in assistive technology tools with your learners. This course is designed for classroom teachers, SPED coordinators, and school leaders.
Intro to the Free Assistive Technology Toolkit
How to use built-in tools with your class
Planning AT supports with the AT Passport
Certification: Complete all videos and log your viewing time. For every 3 hours of documented training, you can request and print a digital Certificate of Completion from our team.
Practical Classroom Use
Explore the full set of practical classroom trainings in the YouTube playlist. Each short video walks through a real example of using these free tools with learners.
- Module 1: Built-in reading tools
Description: Learn how to turn on and use free, built-in reading supports like Immersive Reader and screen readers on common school devices. - Module 2: Writing with dictation
Description: See how to use voice typing and dictation tools so students can speak their ideas and get them onto the page. - Module 3: Communication supports in real lessons
Description: Explore simple ways to use symbol libraries and basic AAC tools to support expressive and receptive communication. - Module 4: Attention and organization strategies
Description: Practice using checklists, focus modes, and visual timers to help students start, stay on task, and finish work. - Module 5: Hearing and vision access
Description: Learn how to turn on captions, magnifiers, and high-contrast modes so students can access spoken and visual content. - Module 6: Planning with the AT Passport
Description: Put it all together by planning supports with an AT Passport so you can track training, independence, and follow-up.
Integrating Tools into Lessons
Integrating tools into lessons – modules
We provide training on incorporating Speech-to-Text, Screen Readers, and visual supports directly into your daily core curriculum activities.
Use the AT Passport tracker to document independent use, track progress, and ensure long-term success for your learners with special needs.
After you complete all videos in this training, click the button below to download and fill in your certificate of completion.
The Mission: Closing AT Gaps Without a Budget
This directory grew out of a classroom-level capstone project focused on closing assistive technology gaps without a procurement budget. It is offered here as a standing, living resource rather than a one-time report. Because tool availability and features change over time, we encourage teachers to recheck each entry periodically before relying on it for a new school year.