Screen readers
A screen reader is an application that turns text displayed on the screen into speech. There are different levels of screen readers, from basic text readers to entire screen navigation software. Basic text readers will read just the text in a given application, a function which may be sufficient for users with certain disabilities. Basic text readers come incorporated in most modern operating systems (Windows 2000 and later, Mac OS 9 and later) or can be downloaded for free from the web. Users with learning disabilities can use text readers to auditorily reinforce information. Screen navigation systems allow a person to use his or her computer with no monitor, since all necessary information — such as application name or start menu items — is spoken to the user. Another consideration of screen navigation software is that users with limited sight may be unable to use the mouse. Instead, alternate keystrokes are the tool of choice, and the tab key is used for web navigation. These applications may allow many visually impaired users to not only use a computer, but to use it efficiently.
Example
Screen reader sample
mp3 (99K) |
windows media (107K) | Transcript
Links
Introduction
to Screen Readers
(http://www.iso.gmu.edu/%7Eswidmaye/portfolio/edit797assistivetech.htm)
Screen
reader simulation
(http://www.webaim.org/simulations/screenreader)
JAWS by Freedom Scientific
(http://www.freedomscientific.com)
Window-Eyes by GW Micro
(http://www.gwmicro.com)
Powertalk for Powerpoint
(http://www.meru.org.uk/speechmakers)
ReadPlease — Text-to-speech
(http://www.readplease.com)
