Screenreaders

It is often thought that a graphical interface such as Windows, with its pictures and "icons", is inaccessible to those without vision. In fact these operating systems are still, in reality, text-based and often pictures are purely cosmetic or accompanied by a text label.

A blind computer user can know what is on the screen by having the necessary information spoken by a synthetic voice. This could include having each character or word echoed back as you type. On computers that can produce sounds and music the speech output can be produced in a similar way, through the main speakers. In other instances a separate piece of equipment may be required to make the computer talk.

The software programs that control the speech (called "screen readers") vary in their reliability and intelligence. The more sophisticated allow the user effective and reliable "eyes-free" use of the vast majority of DOS or Windows 95/98/NT programs (as well as some running under other operating systems).

RNIB factsheet: What is a screenreader

Thunder

Thunder is a free screenreader and web page reader. By using Thunder ScreenReader talking software and a modern XP or Vista computer, it will be immediately usable by someone who can’t see to read the screen. They will have a talking computer which will speak as they press keys and read out what is on the screen. To use the internet, you will need to use WebbIE which is installed with Thunder. WebbIE will appear within the All Programs Menu. WebbIE is a text browser which cuts out visual clutter and presents a website in clear line by line text. You can adjust the font size to suit. www.screenreader.net/Thunder

Using the Thunder Screenreader in practice

Demo of Thunder in action

Further YouTube Thunder How-To Videos:

Browsealoud

Browsealoud is a Free Windows program that instantly speech-enables websites, reading the text that users require with the hover of a mouse. Free to download, easy to use with control over the voice, pitch and speed, browsealoud is there when you need assistance as you navigate the Web. Browsealoud can only read sites that have been enabled for its use. While a growing number of websites are enabled, it will provide access only to those sites whose owners or webmasters have elected to utilise this service. For full accessibility, another text-reader or talking browser should be chosen for those sites that are not enabled for Browsealoud.

Guide

An all-in-one computer package, for people who are blind or partially sighted. It has been designed to be easy-to-use and easy-to-learn.

Guide has its own in-built screen reader, so it will read out the text on every screen, even while you're typing.
It has its own in-built screen magnifier, so you can enlarge the text on every screen, whether you are writing a letter or surfing the Internet.
It turns your computer into an easy-to-use Reading Machine. Printed text documents are placed on the scanner and then both spoken out and magnified on the screen.
It is available as a CD to be loaded onto an existing computer, or as a complete computer package, all setup and ready to be used.
It offers many features, integrated within one package, so that there is no need to switch between different programmes to complete each task.
These features include: Write letters and documents; Spell-Checker; Dictionary and thesaurus; Magnify handwriting, diagrams or pictures; Print or edit photos from your digital camera; Send and receive emails; Surf the Internet; Addresses and contacts; Calendar and reminders and playing CDs and MP3s.
Guide-Handsfree is an all-in-one computer package which can be fully controlled by your voice. No keyboard or mouse required.

JAWS

A screen reader which works with a PC to provide access to software applications and the Internet. It has an internal software speech synthesizer which works with the computer’s sound card, information from the screen is read aloud, providing technology to access a wide variety of information, education and job related applications. JAWS also outputs to refreshable braille displays, providing braille support for a variety of screen readers. Essentially to use JAWS, you need to be familiar with the keyboard. Ideally you need to be a touch typist. A standard keyboard is recommended, as it has the full range of keys - and where you would expect them to be. More about this . . .

HAL

Another screenreader developed for blind computer users, Hal is a software screen reader that works by reading the screen interactively and communicating through a speech synthesiser or a refreshable Braille display. The makers claim: It is Vista compatible and a few fully featured screen reader. It can be used independently - in other words, not just on a desktop PC, but can be transported on a USB stick to use at any university, internet café, library or work place. Users are able to carry their screen access, with their favourite settings with them at all times. Hal users can apparently also connect remotely on terminal servers or Citrix mainframes. The latest v9.3 works with Vista. More about this . . .

User manual for HAL v9.0 (English) Other languages available here . . .

Window-Eyes

Window-Eyes is a software application for the blind and visually impaired, which converts components of the Windows operating system into synthesized speech allowing for complete and total access to Windows based computer systems. Window-Eyes integration into Windows is seamless, providing you with instant access to the operating system without having to learn a complicated set of keystrokes. More about this . . .

Windows Light 2007

Deveoped in 2004 by Ha See-Hung, a blind computer user in Hong Kong. Supports Braille output and 3 languages - Cantonese, Putonghua and English. Watch the video:

NDVA

This Open Source screen reader for Windows is rapidly gaining features and an enthusiastic user base. At least one Jaws user has been heard to say that they are now able to use a Windows PC without Jaws. It currently supports speech in 13 languages but Braille support is not yet available. A good range of Windows programs are supported and Mozilla Firefox gives a particularly rich accessible browsing experience.

NVDA not only works with programs that make themselves accessible through the MSAA accessibility technology but also supports the growing number of programs that offer richer accessibility though the IAccessible2 Open Standard.

More Information and Download...

Free and Open Source Screenreaders

NaturalReader
is a Text to Speech software with natural sounding voices. This easy to use software can convert any written text such as MS Word, Webpage, PDF files, and Emails into spoken words. NaturalReader can also convert any written text into audio files such as MP3 or WAV for your CD player or iPod. More about this . . .

NaturalReader - have a look at a flash demo of the software in action

WebAnywhere
WebAnywhere is a web-based screen reader for the web. It requires no special software to be installed on the client machine and, therefore, enables blind people to access the web from any computer they happen to have access to that has a sound card. More about this > . . .

More about WebAnywhere:

What the RNIB said about WebAnywhere (Source: RNIB Blog)

All you need to do is switch a PC on, plug in your headphones, execute a couple of keyboard commands so that you open up the WebAnywhere home page, switch it on and away you go. What sets WebAnywhere apart from other text-to-speech software, free or otherwise, is that it can be used on any website rather than only sites where that software is installed. This is fantastic on so many levels:

Enables people who can’t afford costly screen readers to access the web
Enables people with slight sight problems who don’t yet use a screen reader but may want audio support to have it
You can use it on other PC’s and laptops if you’re traveling or unable to access your own i.e in libraries, schools and colleges
Enables people with reading problems to get reading and audio support
People browsing in a second language can use it to help understand written text
Is an additional tool in the web developers toolbox when testing websites for accessibility

Screen Access For All (SAFA)
An open source initiative to develop a screen reading software for vision impaired persons to read and write in their language of choice. The goal is to have a multi lingual software on multiple platforms. More information . . .

Hindi screen reader breakthrough for blind.
Prologix Software Solutions presented Vaachak Indian Text-to-Speech (TTS) software to assist 480 million Hindi speakers worldwide. In addition, Vaachak now allows visually impaired people to access electronic Hindi content through the SAFA Screen Reader. More about this . . .

Online text to speech translator (Source: http://text-to-speech-translator.paralink.com/)

Wikipedia list of Screenreaders

Text to speech software reviews

NaturalReader and BrowseAloud (Source: http://edtech.ed.sc.edu/kseibert/Software_Review.htm)
Penscanner - Text to Speech (Source: PCMag.com)

Screenreaders and Accessibility

The rise in the use of AJAX to dynamically change web content without refreshing the page (Web 2.0 applications) has resulted in accessibility problems for users of Assistive Technology such as Screen Readers. The problem can be divided into two issues: