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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 |
|
Use on your home computer while researching online genealogy records.
|
| ClearCaptions |
free | Android and iOS |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
Use for looking at books, newspapers or old family photos. |
From the May/June 2014 Family Tree Magazine
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