Software may be required to translate standard text to braille. Sometimes called braille printers, these devices emboss documents in braille. Braille embossers typically have blunt pins that punch dots into special 100-pound weight paper. Speech output can be integrated into a specific application, such as a word processing program. Software that works in conjunction with other applications and converts the text on screen into speech output.
Some personal computers come with built-in screenreaders.
Hardware that produces speech output. This can be an external unit that connects to a computer, or an internal chip or circuit card. Sometimes called optical aids, these portable lenses can magnify text up to twice its original size. They are designed to fit over many standard computer monitors. These programs run in conjunction with other applications and usually have features that facilitate cursor navigation.