Toolkit: Adaptive Research Tools

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When you can’t make out pages of print or hear what librarians and clerks are saying to you, your rising frustration level can zap all the fun out of genealogy research. These free or low-cost assistive technology apps will help you better read genealogy documents, hear what other genealogists or relatives have to say, and make your research more enjoyable.

App	Price	Device	Key Features	Genealogy Uses
Another Lens	free	Windows PC	Magnifies the area surrounding your cursor on the computer screen Takes screenshots and saves content to a file	Use on your home computer while researching online genealogy records.
ClearCaptions	free	Android and iOS	Captions your smartphone conversations in real time	Use when calling archives or conducting oral family history interviews by phone. Note: The FCC requires a one-time $75 access fee if users don’t already use a captioning phone
Dragon Dictation	free	iOS	Transcribes what you (or others) say into your iPhone or iPad microphone Sends caption via text message or email	Ask a librarian or clerk to talk into the mic to see captions of what was said. Speaking punctuation avoids captions that are long, run-on sentences.
Fleksy	free	Android and iOS	Enlarges touchscreen keys Enhances predictive text to improve typing	Use it to write emails, social media posts and more if you have impaired vision or trouble using those tiny touchscreen keyboards.
iHear Hearing Aid	free	iPhone	Boosts sound around you to help you hear (headphones required)	This could come in handy at a genealogy conference, at libraries or archives, or talking with relatives.
<a href=”http://www.ivona.com/en/mini-readerIVONA MiniReader	free	Windows PC
Magnifying Glass with Light	$1.99	iOS	Magnifies text using iPhone or iPad camera Uses camera’s flash to illuminate documents	Great for making small type larger or for taking a closer look at old photos. Skip the free version, which lacks most features.
Your Magnifier	$2.99	Android	Magnifies text using Android camera Uses flash to illuminate document	Use for looking at books, newspapers or old family photos.