Speakable Items • Mac OS
Assistive Technology
What are 'Speakable Items'?
- This tool allows users that are visual impaired, who have mobility or dexterity limitations, or with learning disabilities.
- It can be found in all Mac OS computers by going to System Preferences > Accessibility > Speakable Items
- To use Speakable Items you simply turn on the service and hold down one key (default to ESC) and ask "Open Speakable Items Folder". A list of everything you can see will appear.
Some screen shots of the device in action!
Home Screen
Here you adjust the settings for speakable items
Viewable Dialogue
You can have a visual list of the conversation you and the computer have had
Speakable Items Folder
Here is where you can view the long list of items you can say to the computer
In the Classroom
A teacher could allow students to use this assistive technology is many ways. Below are just a few examples of simple ways a teacher can incorporate this technology.
- Provide student with external microphone/headset combination
- Student can dictate to the computer to open Internet browser to conduct research
- Student can dictate to open various applications to complete classwork.
- Speakable Items can work with the built-in voice capture that allows students to speak responses and the computer types it for them