Student Disability Service (SDS)
Factsheet 1
Useful information and Free Software
This factsheet is for students who are waiting for funded support to come through, or who
are not entitled to funding.
The services and programmes described here are not endorsed by the Student Disability
Service.
Study Skills

The Institute for Academic Development (IAD)
The IAD provides study skills support for students. For details of their workshops, go
to www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/institute-academic-development
Text to Speech Software

Texthelp Read and Write Gold
This toolbar has a variety of functions, including the ability to convert text into
speech; this can help with reading comprehension. You can access it on all the
Open Access PCs in the University: go to ‘Programs – Accessibility’ from the ‘Start’
Menu.

Natural Reader 10
The benefits of this downloadable programme include: Text to speech; range of
voices; converts sound files to mp3; reads PDFs as well as word documents;
highlights words as you are reading to aid tracking; a free download is also available
for MACs.
Spelling Help

Ghotit
Ghotit is a spellchecker designed for dyslexic people. It spellchecks 1000 words at a
time and offers word definitions: http://www.ghotit.com
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Mind-mapping Software

Inspiration and MindGenius
Mindmapping programmes allow you to create mind maps on your computer. They
are particularly effective for people who learn best from visual images and diagrams,
as opposed to plain text. You can access them on all the Open Access PCs in the
University: go to ‘Programs – Accessibility’ from the ‘Start’ Menu.
Free Apps and File Storage





Zotero: a free referencing tool. Allows you to save references during your readings
and create a bibliography at the end: www.zotero.org (only works via Firefox, not
Internet Explorer).
Dropbox: virtual space to save your documents and access from any computer once
it's installed. Limit of 2GB memory: www.dropbox.com
Sugarsync: virtual storage space with 5GB free: www.sugarsync.com
Evernote: virtual space to save any important information in a safe place that you
cannot lose - http://evernote.com/
There are also many free apps available on iphones e.g. inClass – a handy
organisational tool.
Useful Websites

www.dyslexiascotland.org.uk for information and support about dyslexia

http://palgrave.com/skills4study/index.asp for study skills tips
For further information or to request this
information in alternative format please contact:
Student Disability Service
The University of Edinburgh
Third Floor, The Main Library Building
George Square, Edinburgh
EH8 9LJ
0131 650 6828
www.ed.ac.uk/student-disability-service
disability.service@ed.ac.uk
Challenging attitudes.
Mainstreaming equality.
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