A dictionary is a book that lists words in alphabetical order in a specific language with their definition and pronunciation. A thesaurus is a book that lists words in alphabetical order and provides alternative words with similar meanings. Both dictionaries and thesauruses can be useful tools in the workplace when compiling documents and reports. Dictionaries and thesauruses are available in various alternative formats for people who have difficulty using a book version of these tools.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
For people who have vision, cognitive or physical disabilities, using a book version of a dictionary or thesaurus can be difficult. They may have difficulty holding the book, turning pages, reading or locating words on the page. There are a number of alternative versions of these tools that can prove easier to use and allow people to access these tools independently, such as large print versions, talking dictionaries, electronic and online versions. For more information about the types of assistance, see the links below:
Some types of alternative dictionaries have trials that are available to download from the internet for free and are compatible with most computer operating systems.
References
Ectaco 2011, Electronic Dictionaries, Ectaco, Inc, viewed 4 October 2011, http://australia.ectaco.com/catalogue/Electronic-Dictionaries/.
ZD Net 2011, English-English Talking Dictionary, CBS Interactive, Sydney, viewed 4 October 2011, http://www.zdnet.com.au/downloads/windows/english-english-talking-dictionary_sw-10517359.htm.