Chrome Web Apps and Extensions
In addition to the features Google has built into their products, many developers have created Chrome web apps and Chrome extensions that bring extra functionality to Chrome for accessibility and accommodations.

To learn how to install and manage Chrome web apps, see this video
To learn how to install and manage Chrome extensions, see this video

Below is a list of many useful Chrome web apps and extensions for special needs grouped by topic. Some tools fit into more than one topic, but each is only listed once.

Text to speech

• Read&Write for Google - link

Provides a drop down menu bar in Google Docs with features including text to speech, translation, and highlighting. A paid version is also available that adds a picture dictionary, word prediction, vocabulary list builder, and more.
Note: There is a paid version with all the tools and a free version with a subset of the tools. Educators can get the paid version for a year at no cost by filling out the form at this link.

• SpeakIt! - link

Text to speech tool that reads any selected text on web pages or PDF’s that are opened in Chrome. Options that can be adjusted include speaking rate and choice of voice.

• Chrome Speak - link

Text to speech tool that reads any selected text on a web page by right clicking on the selection.  Options that can be adjusted include speaking rate and choice of voice.

Speech to text

• Voice Recognition - link
  Voice recognition app that allows the user to dictate the text of a document, then save the text to Google Drive or send as an email.
• SpeechPad - link
  Voice recognition app that allows the user to dictate the text of a document, then copy and paste the text to another application as needed
• VoiceNote - link
  Voice recognition app that allows the user to dictate the text of a document, then copy and paste the text to another application as needed

Readability

• Readability Redux - link
  Creates a more readable version of a web page by removing all the ads, comments, and other extra distracting items. The user can also adjust the font size and color scheme of the new text.
• OpenDyslexic - link
  This extension overrides all fonts on webpages with the OpenDyslexic font, and formats pages to be more easily readable.
• BeeLine Reader - link
  Creates a more readable version of a web page by removing all the ads, comments, and other extra distracting items. Then applies a color gradient to the page text guide your eye from one line to the next.
• Change Colors - link
  Quickly change the background color, text colors, font face, and font size for a specific webpage or all webpages.
• ATbar - link
  Change the colors and font size for a webpage, have text read aloud, use colored overlays, remove distracting elements from the page, and more
• MagicScroll Web Reader - link
  Turn web pages into a flippable e-book with easy clickable or keyboard control, as well as control over font size and page color as well.
  
  
• Readline - link
  Although designed as a speed reading tool, you can adjust the speed to the lowest setting and use this extension to easily read text one word at a time.

Reading comprehension

• SummarizeThis - link
  Copy and paste any text into the app to get a summarized version of the most important information
• Summarizer - link
  Highlight text and then use this extension to get a summarized version of the content.

• TextTeaser - link
  Summarize the content from a webpage as a list of sentences or in paragraph format, with an adjustable slider for detail level.
• sentiSum - link
  Get a summarized version of any webpage.
• Google Dictionary - link
  Double-click any word on a web page to get a pop-up with the definition and audible pronunciation.
• Newsela - link
  Current event articles covering many subjects, each written at five different Lexile levels so all students can read the same material at an appropriate level.

Navigation

• Click-free Browsing - link
  Adds navigation icons to a webpage that can be activated by simply hovering over them, rather than needing to click. Commands include scrolling, backward and forward in page history, opening a link, and more.
• Vimium - link - YouTube video
  Provides keyboard shortcuts for navigation and control for someone with difficulty using a mouse.
• CrxMouse - link
  Use mouse gestures to navigate including forward, backward, scrolling, refreshing, switching tabs, and more. The user can even program their own custom mouse gestures to open programs and perform other tasks.

Classroom management

• ClassDojo - link
  Behavior management tool to build positive learning habits and behaviors.
• Class Charts - link
  Seating chart tool with behavior and data tracking.

Communication

• Picto4Me - link
  Allows you to create, edit, download, and play pictographic communication boards

For more educational apps and extensions (not necessarily specifically for special needs) see the following resources:

• Web App Reviews: http://www.webappreviews.org/
• Chrome web apps: http://google.apps.sparcc.org/resources/web-apps

Chrome extensions: http://google.apps.sparcc.org/resources/extensions