After braille, no invention has enabled blind and visually impaired people to communicate as effectively as the assistive technologies that make computers and the Internet accessible. Digital technology has also given those that are blind ever-expanding opportunities for personal and professional growth.
To make such a highly visual environment accessible to those unable to see a computer monitor, assistive technology must do two things:
- Enable users to read all onscreen content, whether emails, spreadsheet columns, application toolbars, or photo captions
- Provide a means to navigate one's keyboard and desktop, open and use programs, and browse the web
Jul 26, 2011 OS X Lion ships light - and as such there are several features that are present in the application that additional program data must be downloaded and installed in order to.
Voice Dream Reader is a text-to-speech assistive application for both Apple and Android devices that converts PDFs, web pages, Microsoft Word, and other document formats into spoken word, while also offering additional features such as bookmarking, note-taking, and a built-in dictionary. A screen reader is an essential piece of software for a blind or visually impaired person. Simply put, a screen reader transmits whatever text is displayed on the computer screen into a form that a visually impaired user can process (usually tactile, auditory or a combination of both). Mac has powerful features for those who are blind or low vision, like VoiceOver, a built-in screen reader that supports refreshable braille displays.
The two technologies that make this possible are screen access- and magnification software programs.
Screen Access Software
Screen readers give voice to computers through applications that synthesize written words and keyboard commands into human-sounding speech of the sort you might hear on an automated phone and voicemail systems.
The most popular screen access program is JAWS for Windows, developed by Freedom Scientific, which supports all Microsoft and IBM Lotus Symphony applications.
JAWS reads aloud what's onscreen, beginning the with installation instructions, and provides key command equivalents to mouse functions so blind computer users can launch programs, navigate their desktop, read documents, and surf the web using just their keyboard.
For example, rather than double-clicking on the browser icon, a blind person might press in succession:
- 'Windows' key to reach the Start menu
- 'P' to access their program list
- 'I' for all applications beginning with 'I'
- 'Down arrow' to scroll through the list
- 'Enter' once they hear 'Internet Explorer.'
Mac Application For Word Documents
It sounds painstaking, but screen readers speed navigation by providing shortcuts and audible cues. For example, the arrow keys enable users to quickly cycle through desktop items or section headings on a website. Pressing Insert + F7 displays a list of all links on that page. On Google, or on any site with forms, JAWS sounds to indicate the cursor is in the search box or has advanced to the next text field.
In addition to converting text to speech, another crucial function JAWS and similar programs provide is output in braille. This function enables braille readers to view documents on refreshable braille displays or download them onto popular portable devices such as BrailleNote.
The main drawback with screen readers is the price. The American Foundation for the Blind notes that prices can range up to $1,200. One can, however, download free Windows accessibility software, or purchase an all-in-one PC accessibility solution such as CDesk.
Serotek offers System Access to Go, a free, web-resident version of its flagship screen reader. After creating an account, users can make any computer connected to the Internet accessible by simply logging in and pressing Enter.
Screen Magnification Software
Screen magnification programs enable visually impaired computer users to enlarge and/or clarify what's displayed on their monitor. In most programs, users can zoom in and out with a keyboard command or flick of the mouse wheel.
HumanWare's ZoomText Magnifier, one of the most popular products, magnifies screen contents from 1x to 36x while maintaining image integrity. Users can zoom in and out at any time with a turn of the mouse wheel.
ZoomText provides controls so users can adjust: Automator mac download.
- Color, contrast, and brightness
- Letter thickness and spacing
- Size of the often-lost cursor and mouse pointer.
ZoomText users wishing to use two open applications at the same time can magnify portions of the screen by opening one of eight 'Zoom' windows. An enlarged viewing area can also be expanded onto two adjacent monitors.
The degree of vision loss usually determines which solution a blind person uses. People with no or severely limited vision use screen readers. Those with sufficient vision to read print use magnification programs.
Apple Integrates Speech and Magnification
Not long ago, all the assistive computer technology for the blind was PC-based. No longer.
Apple has built both screen reading and magnification into its Mac OS X operating system used in the latest versions of its iPad, iPhone, and iPod. The screen reader is called VoiceOver; the magnification program is called Zoom.
VoiceOver 3 includes a standard set of hand gestures that can be used to navigate among different windows, menus, and applications. https://evercontact810.weebly.com/blog/call-and-text-app-for-mac-desktop. It can also integrate more than 40 popular braille displays via Bluetooth.
Zoom is activated using keyboard commands, onscreen buttons, and via mouse or trackpad and can magnify text, graphics, and motion video up to 40 times without loss of resolution. Get iphone messages on mac.
The Need for Training
No matter which technology one chooses, a blind person should expect to buy a computer and screen reader and learn via some sort of training. The sheer number of commands within JAWS constitutes a new language. You could figure out a few things but likely wouldn't get as far as you would with some formal training.
Training sources include:
- Webinars on manufacturer sites and institutions such as the Hadley School for the Blind
- Training materials in accessible formats from companies such as Handy Tech North America in Columbia Heights, Minnesota
- Post-assessment programs through a vocational rehabilitation agency or hospital
- Phone tutorials and talk-throughs from experts such as Roger Cusson of Seeing Hands Enterprises, Lewiston, Maine
- Local continuing education courses and computer user groups.
Training and product prices vary. One should contact state agencies, including vocational rehabilitation, commissions for the blind, and special education departments to explore assistive technology funding options.
Edit a video without using a mouse or trackpad. Build a presentation without seeing the screen. Or track down important files for your next project with just your voice. Because Mac is designed for everybody to create amazing things.
VoiceOverYou don’t need to see your Mac to use your Mac.
VoiceOver is a revolutionary built-in screen reader that’s more than a text-to-speech tool. It tells you exactly what’s on your screen and talks you through actions like editing a video, building a presentation, or quickly navigating from one app to another.
Dark ModeWorking hard gets easier on the eyes.
Dark Mode transforms the desktop and built-in apps with a new dark color scheme that helps you focus on your work.1 The fine points of your content take center screen as toolbars and menus recede into the background. Light text against darker backdrops in Mail, Safari Reader, Calendar, and more makes everything easier to read in low lighting conditions. And the Accessibility preferences for increased contrast and reduced transparency work with Dark Mode enabled.
SiriMake requests by talking or typing.
Siri on Mac lets you quickly find and open files, set reminders, send text messages, and more, making it easy to handle the things you do every day.2 With “Type to Siri” mode, you can make requests using a physical or onscreen keyboard. And Siri can also predict your next word based on what you’ve said before, so you can minimize typing over time.
Switch ControlNavigate your Mac with as little as a tap.
Create amazing things with your Mac without touching a mouse or keyboard. With Switch Control, you can navigate through onscreen keyboards, menus, and the Dock using a variety of switch options.
Text To Speech Free
Text to SpeechGo from written word to spoken word.
Text To Speech Mac App For The Blind
If you learn better when you can hear what you’re reading or writing, Text to Speech lets you highlight any text and have your Mac read it aloud. And you can choose from more than 70 male or female voices across 42 languages.