A Brief History of the Software Toolkits 1
The idea for the software toolkits began because of a student with mild cerebral palsy who was non-verbal. She demonstrated the ability to use the computer for written work and communication, but she had access problems due to her cerebral palsy. She could use the standard keyboard but was essentially a one finger typist. She was able to use a mouse or trackball to move the cursor and she could click but she could not click-and-drag using the mouse. Over time, several software solutions or "tools" were used to make the computer more accessible for this student. These tools included software to enlarge the cursor, hold windows open, assist with click-and-drag, hold modifier keys down, and speak text. Eventually, a collection of several different software tools for different computers was compiled. In an effort to house them all in one location while also making the collection public to assist others who work to make computers accessible, the entire software toolkit collection was posted to this web site.
All the software tools in the toolkits are either freeware, shareware or low-cost commercial software. Freeware is copyrighted software that you can use free of charge. Most freeware authors encourage the wide distribution of their software; distribution may be limited by the copyright owner, usually the author so that others cannot make a profit from it or its use. Shareware is called user-supported software. You can try the shareware software for a specified period of time after which you must either pay the registration fee or stop using the software; again the copyright owner can limit the distribution. Registering shareware software may allow you to access non-functional parts of software or obtain updated versions that are not otherwise available. Shareware prices are usually quite reasonable.
The software toolkits are first categorized by platform / operating system; they include: DOS Software Toolkit, Apple Macintosh Software Toolkit, Windows 3.x Software Toolkit, Windows 95 Software Toolkit, and UNIX and Linux Software Toolkit. Each platform / operating system toolkit is next categorized by software function. The software functions include: visual cursor enhancers, mouse enhancers, screen magnification, on-screen keyboards, abbreviation expansion, keyboard audio feedback, voice output applications, voice input applications, braille and sign language utilities, keyboard modifications, keyboard shortcuts, and application/window managers.
You are welcome to browse the software toolkits. Once you have selfected the operating system and software function of interest, you can review all the software tools in that category. Please read the brief description for the software tools you are interested in trying, including whether it is freeware, shareware or low-cost commercial software. For many of the software tools, you will find both an internet location of the software (e.g., which you can visit and download the software from if available plus check to see if any newer versions of the software tool exist) and an internet address which will allow you to download the software tool from this site.
We hope you enjoy the software toolkits and encourage you to send feedback and information about other pieces of software using the "feedback" button at the bottom of each platform / operating system specific web page. If you are unable to use the "feedback" button, you may also send your email comments regarding the software toolkits to web@trace.wisc.edu.
1 The software toolkits were created in the fall of 1996 by Jamie Klund, MS, OTR, and Mark Novak, BS, PE, in response to a clinical need for software tools to make computers more accessible and usable for those with special needs. The software toolkits web pages were also demonstrated as part of several paper presentations (e.g., A "Tricks and Treats" Tool Box for Computer Access), the first of which was at the October, 1996, Closing The Gap Conference.