Top 10 Free Assistive Tech Tools for Students with Learning Difficulties.

Every classroom contains learners with different learning strengths and challenges. For students who struggle with reading, writing, attention, or motor skills, school can be an uphill climb- not a lack of intelligence, but because the teaching tools aren’t always accessible. Assistive tech tools (AT) change that. It provides students with alternative ways to access content, express ideas, and participate fully in learning.

This guide introduces 10 free assistive tech tools for students with learning difficulties that teachers can start using today. Each entry explains what the tool does, how it supports learners, classroom uses, and practical tips for implementation.

Microsoft Immersive Reader.

The Immersive Reader is a built-in Microsoft tool that improves reading accessibility: it reads text aloud, highlights words as they are read, adjusts spacing, translates text, and offers reading comprehension features. It’s integrated into Word, OneNote, Microsoft Edge, and other Microsoft apps.

Students with dyslexia, low literacy, or language learners gain independence-the tool decodes text while offering translation and visual supports

Classroom Use: Embed Word documents or OneNote pages with Immersive Reader enabled; assign reading with the audio option; teach students how to use line focus or syllables for decoding.

As a teacher it’s good to introduce Immersive Reader to the whole class to normaliz its use and reduce stigma.

Read & write (Texthelp)

Read & Write is a literacy support toolbar offering text-to-speech, highlighting, dictionary and picture support, vocabulary lists, and speech-to-text features. It is widely used in schools and offers teacher licensing options; TextHelp often offers free or discounted access for educators.

It supports students with dyslexia, EAL learners, and those who struggle with writing or comprehension through multiple scaffolds.

Classroom Use: Use Read & Write for reading assignments, vocabulary building activities, and let students create audio versions of text.

Natural Reader

NaturalRedaer converts texts into spoken audio with natural-sounding voices. It’s available as a web app, desktop app , and mobile app offering free tiers and educational pricing for institutions.

Students whos struggle with decoding or who benefit from listening (auditory learners) can access textbooks, worksheets, or online articles as audios.

Classroom Use: Create audio versions of reading assignments, or let students listen while following along with highlighted text.

Tip: Use Natural reader to create short listening tasks for homework or revision.

Speechify

Speechify is a popular text to speech patform with highquality voices and eductaional focused offerings. schools can request demos and educational packages

It’s smooth human-like audio supports comprehension and reeduces reading fatigue for students with learning difficulties.

Classroom Use: Share Speechify audio links during independent reading time, especially for longer texts. Pair audio with a short comprehension check ( a 3-question Google Form) to ensure listening led to understanding.

BookShare

Bookshare is an accessible ebook library offering millions of titles in alternative formats(audio, large print, braille, and more). Many students can access Bookshare for free through school programs.

Studenets who are print-disabled gain legal access to textbooks and age-appropriate reading materials in formats that suits them.

Classroom Use: Assign readings from BookShare when available; support independent reading by matching book choices to learners’ interests.

SnapType(SnapType Pro)

SnapType allows students to take photos of worksheets and type responses directly onto them. it also offers text-to-speech and speech-to-text features on some versions

Students with dysgraphia or motor difficulties can complete written work without handwriting barriers.

Classroom Use: Instead of printing special large-print or adapted worksheets, let the students open the worksheet in SnapType and type answers on a tablet or phone.

Tip: SnapType is a simple to set up, and it’s especially useful when quick differentiation is needed.

ModMath

Modmath provides digital graph paper and math entry tools tailored for students who struggle with handwriting, math problems, especially helpful for learners with dysgraphia or motor challenges. It runs on tablets and Chromebooks and supports alignment of numbers and equations.

It removes the barrier of handwriting in math so that students can focus on numerical reasoning.

Classroom Use: Use Modmath during in-class problem solving or assessment where handwriting would otherwise hinder performance.

Tip: Use shared Google Drive folders to collect ModMath exports for grading and feedback.

Seeing AI( Microsoft)

Seeing AI is a free Microsoft Research app that uses AI to describe the visual world: reading printed text, identifying objects, recognizing faces, and describing scenes for people with low vision. it’s updated regularly with new capabilities.

Students with visual impairments can navigate learning materials and physical spaces with greater independence.

Classroom Use: Use Seeing AI to read printed handouts aloud or to help students identify visual elements in learning materials.

Because Seeing AI is designed for low-vision users, use it in ways that respect privacy and consent( e.g., not identifying individuals without permissions

Ava (Live Captions)

Ava provides live captions and transcriptions for in-person conversations and video conferences(Zoom, Google Meet, Teams). It offers instant captions and can integrate with classroom video platforms to make speech visible as text.

Students who are deaf or hard of hearing- or those who process auditory information better when it is also in text benefit immediately

Classroom Use: Turn on Ava during live lessons to provide real-time captions, or use recordings with Ava-generated transcripts for review.

Tip: combine captions with short summaries to support comprehension.

Google Voice Typing (Google Docs)

Built into Google Docs (Tool-Voice typing), this free speech-to-text tool converts spoken words into typed text. it’s accessible via browser and works with multiple languages. Google Voice typing is particularly useful for drafting and capturing students’ spoken responses. (integrated features and performances are continuously improving)

Students who have trouble writing( e.g. dysgraphia) can dictate essays, answers, and thoughts which they can then edit.

Classroom Use: Use voice typing for brainstorming sessions, writing drafts, or giving oral assessments that produce written artifacts.

Tip: Teach student basic voice-typing commands(punctuation, new line etc.) so their transcription needs less editing.

How to Choose the Right Assistive Tech Tool for Your Students

Start with the students’ needs. Is reading, writing, math, layout, or hearing the barrier? Match the tool to the challenge.

Try the tool with the student first. Short trials reduce wasted effort and show impact.

Introduce tools to the whole class. This reduces stigma and increases peer support.

Combine tools when needed. For example, pair an immersive reader with Voice typing for reading and producing text.

Check privacy and licensing. Some tools require school licenses.

Conclusion

Assistive technology is not a luxury-it’s a classroom essential for equity. These free assistive tech tools can transform access, confidence, and participation in any classroom. They can impactfully remove common barriers so that students can demonstrate their knowledge in ways that reflect their true abilities. Start small, listen to your students, and celebrate the gains-often, a little technology makes a world of difference.