10 Free Screen Readers For Blind Or Visually Impaired Users - Usability Geek Usability Geek You are here: Home / Reviews / 10 Free Screen Readers For Blind Or Visually Impaired Users 10 Free Screen Readers For Blind Or Visually Impaired Users July 16, 2012 by John Oldman 8 Comments It is not difficult for a sighted person to imagine how being blind or visually impaired could make using a computer difficult. Just close your eyes and you will instantly experience that even processing text is impossible – or impossible without additional software at least. Now a range of software is available that can help to make using a computer an easier, more enjoyable and more productive experience for blind or visually impaired users. Essential Software: A Screen Reader 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). While the most basic screen readers will not help blind users navigate a computer, those with additional features can give people with visual impairment much more independence.

Whilst most screen readers work by having a synthetic voice that reads text aloud, others can also communicate data via a refreshable braille display. Such screen readers make use of crystals that can expand when exposed to particular voltage levels (thanks to a phenomenon known as the Piezo Effect ), allowing visually impaired users to use their fingers to read the text that is displayed on screen. But while screen-reading software can be affordable, such hardware is usually very expensive. Free Software Makes ‘Universal’ Access a Reality Many people could not afford the expensive price tag associated with some of the more sophisticated screen readers. Luckily for them, there are several screen reading software that are completely free. The following is a list of free screen readers that one can download: NVDA (Windows) NVDA has been designed by a blind software engineering graduate, James Teh, for use with Windows computers. This free and open source screen reader has a synthetic voice that reads whatever the cursor hovers over, and can be used directly from a USB stick, making it ideal for students. Serotek System Access (Windows) This downloadable and complete screen reader can be used even outside your browser, thus making it one of the quickest ways of getting a screen reader up and running on your system.

Serotek offers extended versions for a fee, although it is much cheaper than other screen readers. Apple VoiceOver (OS X) Apple VoiceOver includes options to magnify, keyboard control and verbal descriptions in English to describe what is happening on screen. It also reads aloud file content as well as web pages, E-mail messages and word processing files whilst providing a relatively accurate narrative of the user’s workspace. This covers a wide array of keyboard commands that enable user navigation of the Mac OS X interface. ORCA (Linux) ORCA is a Linux based screen reader which has also been evolving for the past number of years. Although it is not the sole Linux-based screen reader, ORCA is definitely the most popular. Recently it has been included with the Ubuntu installation CD, and with a couple of initial key presses it allows blind people to have audible interaction during the installation process. BRLTTY (Linux) BRLTTY is a background process (daemon) which provides access to the Linux/Unix console (when in text mode) for a blind person using a refreshable braille display. It drives the braille display, and provides complete screen review functionality. Some speech capability has also been incorporated.

Emacspeak (Linux) Emacspeak is a free speech interface and that allows visually impaired users to interact independently and efficiently with the computer. Its technology enables it to produce rich aural representation of electronic information. Emacspeak offers audible interface of the different aspects of the Internet such as browsing and messaging as well as local and remote information via a consistent and well-integrated user interface. WebAnywhere (All OSs, Web browsers) 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 Spoken Web (Internet Explorer) Spoken-Web is a Web portal, managing a wide range of online data-intensive content like news updates, weather, travel and business articles for computer users who are blind or visually impaired. The site provides a simple, easy-to-use interface for navigating between the different sections and articles. Using the keyboard to navigate, a person who is blind or who has a visual impairment can hear the full range of an article content provided in a logical, clear, and understandable manner. Pingback: Tools available to visually impaired when using internet.

| omarholma () Bob Stoker Hi, I am Blind and therefore must use the computer with the aid of assistive software, I have tried most screen readers in the past 20+ years one of the better ones that I have used (I am completely blind, sightless or black Blind or whatever handle you care to give it) I teach young VIPs (Visually Impaired People ) how to use computers is Zoom Text Sarah Hi is a free translation tool without registration. It works with braille grade 1 and 2. Maybe the tool could be helpful. urbgimtam What is Braille? - American Foundation for the Blind What Is Braille? What Is Braille? Braille is a system of raised dots that can be read with the fingers by people who are blind or who have low vision. Teachers, parents, and others who are not visually impaired ordinarily read braille with their eyes. Braille is not a language. Rather, it is a code by which many languages—such as English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and dozens of others—may be written and read. Braille is used by thousands of people all over the world in their native languages, and provides a means of literacy for all.

The specific code used in the United States has been English Braille, American Edition but as of 2016 the main code for reading material is Unified English Braille, a code used in seven other English-speaking countries. What Does Braille Look Like? Braille symbols are formed within units of space known as braille cells. A full braille cell consists of six raised dots arranged in two parallel rows each having three dots. The dot positions are identified by numbers from one through six. Sixty-four combinations are possible using one or more of these six dots. A single cell can be used to represent an alphabet letter, number, punctuation mark, or even a whole word. This braille alphabet and numbers page illustrates what a cell looks like and how each dot is numbered. How Was Braille Invented? Louis Braille was born in Coupvray, France, on January 4, 1809. He attended the National Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, France, as a student. At that time, books were created using raised print which was laborious to produce, hard to read, and difficult for individuals to write. While attending the Institute, Braille yearned for more books to read.

He experimented with ways to create an alphabet that was easy to read with the fingertips. The writing system he invented, at age fifteen, evolved from the tactile "Ecriture Nocturne" (night writing) code invented by Charles Barbier for sending military messages that could be read on the battlefield at night, without light. Learn more about the creation of the braille code by exploring AFB's Louis Braille Online Museum . How Is Braille Written? When every letter of every word is expressed in braille, it is referred to as uncontracted braille. Some books for young children are written in uncontracted braille although it is less widely used for reading material meant for adults. However, many newly blinded adults find uncontracted braille useful for labeling personal or kitchen items when they are first learning braille. The standard system used for reproducing most textbooks and publications is known as contracted braille. In this system cells are used individually or in combination with others to form a variety of contractions or whole words. For example, in uncontracted braille the phrase you like him requires twelve cell spaces.

It would look like this: you like him If written in contracted braille, this same phrase would take only six cell spaces to write. This is because the letters y and l are also used for the whole words you and like respectively. Likewise, the word him is formed by combining the letters h and m. It would look like this: you like him There are 180 different letter contractions used in contracted braille (including 75 shortform words like "him" shown above, which are simple abbreviations). These "short cuts" are used to reduce the volume of paper needed for reproducing books in braille and to make the reading process easier. Most children learn contracted braille from kindergarten on, and contracted braille is considered the standard in the United States, used on signs in public places and in general reading material. Just as printed matter can be produced with a paper and pencil, typewriter, or printer, braille can also be written in several ways. The braille equivalent of paper and pencil is the slate and stylus. This consists of a slate or template with evenly spaced depressions for the dots of braille cells, and a stylus for creating the individual braille dots.

With paper placed in the slate, tactile dots are made by pushing the pointed end of the stylus into the paper over the depressions. The paper bulges on its reverse side forming dots. Because of they are inexpensive and portable, the slate and stylus are especially helpful for carrying to jot quick notes and for labeling such things as file folders. Braille is also produced by a machine known as a braillewriter. Unlike a typewriter which has more than fifty keys, the braillewriter has only six keys, a space bar, a line spacer, and a backspace. The six main keys are numbered to correspond with the six dots of a braille cell. Because most braille symbols contain more than a single dot, combinations of the braillewriter keys can be pushed at the same time. Technological developments in the computer industry have provided and continue to expand additional avenues of literacy for braille users. Software programs and portable electronic braille devices allow users to save and edit their writing, have it displayed back to them either verbally or tactually, and produce a hard copy via a desktop computer-driven braille embosser .

Because the use of computers is so common in school, children learn both the braille contractions and also how to spell words out letter for letter so they can spell and write using a keyboard. Since its development in France by Louis Braille in the latter part of the nineteenth century, braille has become not only an effective means of communication, but also an essential avenue for achieving and enhancing literacy for people who are blind or have significant vision loss. Braille is here to stay! Related Links Screen Readers - Browse Results - American Foundation for the Blind Browse Results Screen Readers Screen readers are software programs that allow blind or visually impaired users to read the text that is displayed on the computer screen with a speech synthesizer or braille display. A screen reader is the interface between the computer's operating system, its applications, and the user. The user sends commands by pressing different combinations of keys on the computer keyboard or braille display to instruct the speech synthesizer what to say and to speak automatically when changes occur on the computer screen. A command can instruct the synthesizer to read or spell a word, read a line or full screen of text, find a string of text on the screen, announce the location of the computer's cursor or focused item, and so on.

In addition, it allows users to perform more advanced functions, such as locating text displayed in a certain color, reading pre-designated parts of the screen on demand, reading highlighted text, and identifying the active choice in a menu. Users may also use the spell checker in a word processor or read the cells of a spreadsheet with a screen reader. Screen readers are currently available for use with personal computers running Linux, Windows, and mac, IOS, Android, and more. Each screen reader incorporates a different command structure, and most support a variety of speech synthesizers. Prices range from free to $1,200. Screen readers are used mainly by people who do not have useful vision to read text on the screen. A screen reader can also be the product of choice for someone with vision that is useful for travel, but not for reading. In the long run, learning to listen to speech output will prove more productive for such individuals than struggling to read text while leaning close to the computer screen. Here are some questions to ask when purchasing screen readers: Is the screen reader compatible with your computer's operating system? Does it work with the applications you plan to use? Does it work with your braille display?

What keystrokes or gestures are used for the program's basic and advanced functions? Are the keystrokes easy to remember? Is it possible to change the key combinations if they conflict with those used by application programs? Find the Tools You Need and Support AFB at the Same Time The Chicago Lighthouse will donate a portion of your eligible purchases back to AFB. Just select the Chicago Lighthouse product links to support AFB with any purchase! There are 17 Products in the Category Product Table Frequently Asked Questions | National Federation of the Blind Home FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS We receive many letters and questions from children who wish to learn more about blindness. It is important for blind children to learn that blindness will not prevent them from living happy and normal lives, and so blind children need to learn from good blind adult role models. We have developed this list of some of the most often asked questions by blind children, and we think it is just as important for sighted children, too. Who was Louis Braille? The Braille system of reading and writing was developed by a Frenchman named Louis Braille when he was just a boy. He became blind through an accident, and he discovered that trying to read raised letters was much too slow.

He wanted a faster way for blind people to read and write. He modeled Braille after a system of codes used by the military, and then he expanded his system. For more information about Louis Braille, please visit your school or public library. Who was Helen Keller? Helen Keller was both deaf and blind. Although she had to fight to get the opportunity, she graduated from Radcliffe College. She wrote several books and worked hard to improve opportunities for the deaf and the blind. At the time when she lived, people who were both deaf and blind did not have very many opportunities. Now there is better education, training, employment, and other opportunities for the deaf-blind. You can learn more about Helen Keller from your school or public library. What is Braille? Braille is a system of making raised dots on paper to form letters and words that are read by the blind with their fingertips. The basic Braille 'cell' consists of two columns of three dots. The dots are numbered 1-2-3 from top to bottom on the left side of the cell and 4-5-6 from top to bottom on the right side of the cell.

Each Braille letter, word, punctuation mark, number, or musical note can be made up using different combinations of these dots. Braille can be written with a Braille writing machine (similar to a typewriter). It can also be written by using a pointed stylus to punch dots down through paper using a Braille slate with rows of small "cells" in it as a guide. This method of writing Braille compares to writing print with a pen or pencil. What is the White Cane Law? Each state has a law that says blind people using canes or dogs have the same rights of public access as the sighted. This means that blind people can take their canes and dogs into public buildings, businesses, offices, restaurants, theaters, roller skating arenas, bowling alleys, amusement parks, on busses, trains, planes, and other public places. These laws were established from the work of the National Federation of the Blind to make sure that blind people have the same rights as everyone else. What kind of jobs do blind people have? Just about anything. Here's a list of some occupations in which blind people are working today, but there are many more.

Farmers, lawyers, secretaries, factory workers, drill press and lathe operators, nurses, restaurant managers, child care workers, social workers, computer programmers, insurance salespeople, chemists, housewives, doctors, gas station attendants, teachers, professors, telephone operators, counselors, maintenance workers and janitors, scientists, engineers, hardware and toy store managers, librarians, beauty operators or cosmetologists, car mechanics and repair people, electrical engineers, stockbrokers, accountants, journalists, and many, many more. If you believe you can do the job, and if your employer believes you can, there are very few jobs blind people cannot do. It is most important for blind people to have the chance to choose whatever job they want, and for the public to give blind people the opportunity. What causes blindness? There are many things which cause blindness. Sometimes babies are born blind, but most blind people become blind later on. Glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy are the three most common causes of blindness today. Many older persons lose their vision from macular degeneration. Some people become blind through accidents. Where do blind children go to school?

In the past most blind children went away from home to attend residential schools for the blind. There still are special schools for blind children in most states. Now, however, most blind children are able to attend school in their home communities. Most children who now attend the residential schools for the blind have other disabilities in addition to blindness. Blind children in public schools are in regular classrooms, and use a cane and read and write Braille. These blind students might work some of the time with a special teacher who would also help get the special books needed by blind children. These Braille books would contain the same things your books would have in print. Blind children take the same classes that the other kids the same age take. At first, the special teacher would correct the papers that would be in Braille, until the blind student learned to type the work on a typewriter. Then, any teacher could correct the papers. Why do some blind people use dogs and others use canes for travel? It is simply a matter of personal choice. Some blind people like using canes better, and some enjoy using dogs. No matter what you choose, the most important thing is that blind people are able to go wherever they want, whenever they want, independently.

How does a blind person identify money? Coins such as nickels, pennies, dimes, and quarters are easy to tell apart. They all are different sizes, and quarters and dimes have ridges around them, while pennies and nickels are smooth. There are many ways that paper money'like one, five, ten, or twenty dollar bills'can be identified. Some blind people like to keep different bills in separate places in their wallets, especially if it is a larger bill that they perhaps do not often carry with them. The most common way to tell paper money apart is to fold the bills in different ways. Each person will have his or her own way of folding them; there is no standard for everyone. Maybe a five dollar bill is folded in half the long way, and a ten dollar bill is folded in half the short way. Or maybe the ten is folded twice. A one dollar bill might be folded one way or not folded at all. Or maybe a twenty dollar bill is folded in fourths or not at all. Everyone uses his or her own methods. When we get money back from someone else, we ask which bill is which and then fold it. How do blind people get around?

There are many ways for the blind to go from one place to another. Using a long white cane when you walk allows someone who is blind to locate steps, curbs, streets, driveways, doorways, bicycles, elevators, escalators, people, chairs, tables, desks, or any other object or place. The cane is long enough to be about two steps ahead of your feet as you walk, so you find things with your cane before you get to them. There are canes of all sizes, including very small ones for children and long ones for tall people. Some blind people like to use a guide dog to get around. These dogs are especially trained to move around things, go through doorways, and stop at curbs and stairs. When the blind person hears that it is safe to cross the street, he or she will tell the dog to go ahead. And when the blind person gets to the address of the restaurant or business, the dog will find the door. The blind person using the dog is always in charge and must tell the dog what to do. How do blind people identify their clothes? Most articles of clothing will have at least one distinct way of identifying them by feel.

They will have different buttons or snaps or bows or ties or the fabric or texture will be different. Some dresses or skirts will have belts or elastic at the waist or different kinds of pockets. You might know that the red shirt is the one with the funny-shaped buttons, or the blue pants are the ones with no pockets. You can tell that the blouse with the fuzzy collar is green and is the one that matches the green pants with the belt that feels like rope. In this way, blind people can tell their clothes apart by touch, and they can tell what clothes match each other. Sometimes, however, there may be more than one shirt or blouse that feels alike; men's ties can feel alike also. For these times, some blind people like to mark their clothes in a special way in order to tell them apart. There are tags that are meant for sewing in Braille labels, or use a safety pin to identify that this is a black pair of jeans. Some people sew a button to the tag of a blue suit and cut out a corner of the tag on a gray suit.

Some people make a list of the suits, shirts, ties, and other clothes that feel alike and match them with each other using Braille numbers and letters attached to each piece of clothing. When you buy something at the store or when someone gives you clothes as a gift, ask him or her to describe the item(s) so you can learn how they look and how they feel. How do blind people recognize colors? Some blind people are able to see some colors. Sometimes a blind person might have enough vision to see all colors, or maybe he or she can only tell bright colors. Some blind people can see some colors but not all of them, or they might have a hard time telling blue or black or brown apart, or pink from white. Some blind people do not see any colors. It is important to learn about colors even if you cannot see them. You need to learn what colors look nice together, and what colors do not match, and about stripes, plaids, and other patterns. This is important for clothing and decorating. You need to understand that the sky is mostly blue and grass is mostly green, and the colors of the ocean and the colors of leaves in the fall are just as important for the blind to know as everyone else.

How do blind people shop for groceries? There are many kinds of food that can be identified by touch, such as fruits and vegetables, hot dogs, chicken, and other items. But things like cans of soup, cereal boxes, canned vegetables, gallons of milk, ice cream containers, and other things may be hard to identify. Many blind people like to shop with a friend who will help to find things and can read the different brands and types. Or a blind person might use a store employee who can help find the groceries. Some blind people (especially if they are buying a lot of things) will make a print list for someone else to read, and they will use a Braille list for themselves. How do blind people read Braille? It takes some practice to become a good reader of Braille, just as it does with print. We learn Braille by feeling the different dots in each Braille 'cell' and memorizing what the different combinations of dots stand for. It is best to learn Braille when you are young, even if you can still read some print. That way, you have had many years of practice and experience to develop good Braille skills by the time you are an adult.

Blind adults can learn Braille through many different types of programs or classes. Good Braille readers'like good print readers'can read much faster than they can talk. Today blind people use Braille to take notes in high school and college, to write letters, to read books and magazines, to keep addresses and phone numbers, to keep recipe files, to write books and other materials, and to do the other things you might do using print. There are special libraries that provide Braille and recorded books and magazines for the blind free of charge. Most states have one or more of these libraries where blind people can borrow these materials. How do blind people cook? Blind people can use the same gas or electric ovens, microwaves, grills, mixers, food processors, blenders, electric knives, skillets, fryers, crock pots, and other kitchen tools and appliances as the sighted use. We can put Braille labels on the microwave touch buttons, and some blind people like to use Braille or a special marking glue to put dots on some of the stove or oven temperature dials. It is easier to use things like measuring cups and spoons that stack with different sizes rather than ones with lines drawn on them.

We can tell by the smell, sound, temperature, time of cooking, texture, and consistency how our foods are cooking. If you are newly blind, there are special training programs to help you learn to cook without vision. Some blind people, just like some sighted people, will enjoy cooking more than others. How do blind people know what is in the can or package on the shelf? Many different foods and packages can be identified by the size, shape, or kind of container they come in. Boxes of spaghetti, ketchup bottles, tuna cans, bags of rice or beans, flour, sugar, coffee or tea, chocolate syrup, peanut butter jars, nuts, and other kinds of snacks are some of the packages that are easy to tell what they are. Other things, like cans of vegetables or fruit, soups, sauces, cake mixes, and some spices can be labeled in Braille, or a portion of the wrapper can be torn off to tell the tomato soup from the chicken soup. Some Braille labels are written on cards, that can be used many times and are attached to the can or package with a rubber band. Sometimes you can use smell or taste to tell things apart.

Cinnamon is very different from pepper, and grape jelly is different from strawberry. Some blind people like to label their foods right at the store as they buy them, and some people like to do this at home with someone who can read the labels to them. Each blind person will have his or her own way of identifying or labeling different packages. How does a blind person tell time? There are watches that open up so a blind person can feel where the hands are and can feel Braille dots at the different hour points. There are also talking watches that speak the time and have an alarm built in. And there are many talking clocks that have many different types of alarms that people can use in their home, in their office, or when they travel. For people who can read some print, there are also clocks and watches with large print faces. How does a blind man shave or tie a necktie? Blind men can do each of these things by feel, without looking, just like sighted men. With practice, shaving and tying ties become habit and routine, and you can do them without even thinking about it very much. Some men like to shave in the shower, and some do not.

Men can feel where they need to shave, and if they have beards or mustaches, they can feel where to trim them. Actual shaving techniques, such as how long to make each stroke or what angle to use, or what types of shaving products to use, are a matter of personal choice and are the same for men whether they are blind or sighted. Tying ties can take a bit of practice if you are sighted, too. Once you have learned the kinds of knots and what length is correct for you, you can tie a tie easily; you do not have to look in a mirror or see it. Some men learn how to do these things from their fathers, older brothers, friends, from seeing it done on television, or from reading about it. How does a blind woman put on make-up and do her hair? Each of these things can be done without using a mirror or any vision. It can take some practice in the beginning, but blind women do as good of a job with their make-up and hair as sighted women. It is often helpful to work with someone who can show you some techniques when you are first learning. You can feel the different ways of drying, curling, or styling your hair.

You can feel when the hair is right, or if you have missed a spot. You can apply make-up by touch, by feeling the different places where you want different kinds of the make-up to be. You may want to learn the colors that are best for you by asking people whose opinions you trust until you discover what you like best. As in cooking, some blind women will like wearing more make-up and styling their hair more than others, just like sighted women. How does a blind person know he's in front of his house? Blind people can use many cues to help them find addresses and places. Learning to locate specific addresses is an important part of getting around. In addition to this, we can locate places by looking for perhaps the second driveway on the right, the third set of stairs on the left, or the house with the wooden fence along the sidewalk. We can also look for the large tree in the front, the signpost, or a special kind of door. Blind people help to keep track of where they are and where they are going by using directions such as north, south, east, or west, and by using other cues, such as a busy one-way street, an empty lot, or a schoolyard.

Any of these kinds of information can help blind people travel from one place to another. And if it is someplace where you are a lot (like your home or office) you become very familiar with it. How does a blind person know when to cross the street? A blind person can tell when it's safe to cross the street by listening to the sounds of the traffic. If there is a light at the intersection, it is easy to hear when the cars going across in front of you begin to slow down and stop, and when the cars along the side of you start to move. Then you know the light has changed and you have the green light to cross. You can even start to listen for this when you are a half of a block away. If there is no light, you can simply listen to hear if there are any cars coming. How does it feel to be blind? When you are newly blind, in the beginning, it can feel frustrating or scary. This is because you have not learned how to do things for yourself as a blind person. But once you learn the skills that blind people use, you no longer feel that way. Blind people do the same things as sighted people.

We go to school or work, and we do the things that we need to do. We do this naturally, without even thinking about being blind. The blindness becomes just another part of who we are and what we are like. We don't think about being blind every day, just like you don't think every day about whether or not you have red hair or brown hair. Will I learn more about blindness if I close my eyes or wear a blindfold? No, it is not a good idea to try to pretend to be blind. As a matter of fact, you could get just the opposite impression about what it is like to be blind. You might have a hard time finding things, you might bump into things, you might knock something over, or you might hurt yourself. You might feel frightened, frustrated or confused; then you might think this is what it is like for blind people. But it is not like that for us. Blind people (depending on how long they've been blind) have training and experience that you do not have, and we know how to do things (sometimes differently) that you do not. It is easier for us than it would be for you.

If you want to learn more about blindness, instead of pretending to be blind, you might want to ask a blind person to talk with you. Perhaps you will want to contact a local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind. Do blind people play games or cards? Yes. It is easy to put Braille on decks of cards, including cards for games like Uno. Some cards are printed with very large numbers and letters for people who use large print. Many games such as Scrabble can be played with Braille letters and a board with raised or tactile squares. Backgammon boards can also be tactile and so can boards for chess or checkers. These pieces can be made of different textures, shapes, and colors to tell them apart, or a small piece of tape can be put on one set. Monopoly cards can be Brailled, and the board can also be Brailled or marked. Yahtzee and other games using dice are easy if you use dice with dots that you can feel and count. Not all games have to be made especially for the blind. Many games and toys that you buy at the store are easy and fun for the blind.

Sometimes you can use your imagination to think of ways that a blind person can use the same things as a sighted person. Do blind people feel bad about being blind? Do they like to talk about it? Most blind people are too busy to think about blindness very much. But being blind is nothing to be ashamed of. Blindness is a perfectly respectable characteristic of a person. Most blind people would be glad to answer any questions you have about blindness, just ask them. When someone first loses sight, then he or she might be unhappy. After receiving special help to learn how to do things as a blind person and having a more positive attitude about being blind, then a person can learn to feel okay about blindness. Should I help a blind person to cross the street? If a blind person asks you for help, then you may certainly help. You can ask if any help is needed, but understand that the answer may be 'no.' Blind people, if they have learned to use a cane or dog and travel independently, may not need help. It is important not to grab someone who is blind. If a blind person wants help, he or she may take your arm, or simply walk beside you.

Some blind persons may have a harder time hearing the cars and traffic, especially if there is construction or a lot of noise around the area. Then they might want help that they might not need other times. Should I help a blind person to a chair? The same rules apply here. Some blind people will appreciate help in locating a chair, but some can find chairs, tables, and desks on their own. Sometimes a blind person may ask where the chairs or tables are, then go to them on his or her own. ©2017 All Rights Reserved - Copyright 2017 NFB Computer Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired Computer Resource List for Blind & Visually Impaired A refreshable braille display can import data from this MacBook through a Bluetooth wireless connection. AppleInsider Assistive Technology Expert By Andrew Leibs Here is an outline of assistive technologies that enable blind and visually impaired people to access computers , along with the most popular products in each category. Screen Access Programs Screen access programs (a.k.a. screen readers ) speak aloud what's on a computer screen, including desktop icon labels, document contents, and drop-down and tool bar menu items.

They also speak each keystroke, provide auditory cues (like the ping indicating the cursor is in a search field), and an audible hierarchy for navigating within and among applications. The most widely used screen access programs include: JAWS for Windows ($1,095) Freedom Scientific's top screen reader is the most popular PC-compatible program, featuring two multi-lingual speech synthesizers (Eloquence and RealSpeak Solo Direct) and compatibility with most Microsoft and IBM Lotus Symphony applications. WindowEyes($895) WindowEyes (GW Micro) is the second most popular screen reader. The program touts providing greater control over what users hear and seamless integration with all Microsoft applications. continue reading below our video 9 Tips to Extend Your Phone's Battery For most users, this means fewer configurations and a shorter learning curve. COBRA Professional ($849) COBRA Professional combines screen reading, braille output, and screen magnification in one application with support for Windows 7, XP, and Vista. SuperNova ($795) Dolphin's SuperNova (formerly HAL) differentiates through granularity, such as multi-lingual braille output support, image caption reading and font style identification, and more webpage navigation options.

Seortek System Access to Go(Free) Serotek's flagship product System Access Standalone ($399) but offers this free, web-resident version that makes any computer linked to the Internet instantly accessible-one of a growing number of free screen readers. Another screen access solution is CDesk , which combines screen reading, scanning, and magnification in one Windows-based application. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Screen readers read stored documents and web pages. But students have to read many things that are not on their computer. These include book chapters, articles, and class handouts. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology scans and converts printed words into electronic text that students can read and edit. Some OCR products require flatbed scanners to capture text and uses software to convert the scanned images. Other products use cameras that connect to the computer. Some product, like the popular Kurzweil 1000 support both options. Kurzweil 1000 ($995) Kurzweil 1000 Version 12.03 works with most scanners and supports the ABiSee Eye-Pal camera.

OpenBook($995) OpenBook software (Freedom Scientific) supports a USB-connected camera (the Pearl) that looks like a miniature streetlamp that extends from a pole out over the document. It takes a snapshot of the text, which, along with importing text to the computer, can also just read it aloud-within 12-15 seconds after scanning it. NewOCR.com (Free) The NewOCR.com site analyzes image files users upload and converts words into editable text-no registration required; no upload limit. The application also supports 29 languages and numerous file types, multi-page PDF documents up to 20 MB. People who want to read things but don't need or want a computer can use reading machines that use OCR to convert text to speech. Eye-Pal SOLO ($1,995) A simple, standalone reading machine that uses the ABiSee camera to read aloud documents placed under it. Optelec ClearReader+ ($2,495) The ClearReader+ is a simple reading device that combines text recognition, human-sounding voice options, and the quaint portability of a tabletop radio. Magnification Programs Screen magnification programs enable visually impaired computer users to enlarge what's on the monitor.

Adjusting color scheme, brightness, and contrast can further enhance visibility. Most programs enable users to zoom in and out with a keyboard command or flick of the mouse wheel; some allow magnification of specific sections of the screen, or support image enlargement onto two adjacent monitors. ZoomText Magnification Software 9.1 ($395) Ai Squared's ZoomText is the most popular screen magnifier, offering individual "zoom" windows, font enhancements, enhanced screen colors, and image integrity up to 32x magnification. Ai Squared also sells ZoomText Magnifier/Reader (which includes a screen reader) and the ZoomReader app for the iPhone and iPod touch . MAGic ($295) Freedom Scientific screen magnifier boasts nearly all the functionality of ZoomText for $100 less. iZoom ($399) iZoom from Issist is the new kid on the block, with patent-pending ClearPoint font smoothing and SmartAlign for enhanced webpage readability. Portability is their killer app thus far, iZoom Screen Magnifier & Reader runs off a USB stick, making any Windows computer instantly accessible.

Optelec ClearNote Portable ($2,495) The ClearNote Portable is a lightweight laptop magnifier with a flexible camera head to capture clear images from any distance, e.g. a classroom chalkboard. It can also connect to a PC to provide real-time video magnification. Braille Translation Software Braille translation software converts electronic files into braille that can be read on a refreshable display or printed on a braille embosser. Though many screen access programs offer braille output, there are programs designed for specialized notation such as music. There is also disparity in how well programs format such things as captions, tables, and graphs. Louis - The Macintosh Braille Translator Louis is an open-source Mac application that translates Word, TXT, XML, HTML DocBook, DAISY/NIMAS, and NewsML files and supports MathML to nemeth translation. WinBraille WinBraille is an intuitive program that lets users filter braille translation through selected templates to determine how the finished document will be formatted. WinBraille is available in a simplified free version and a licensed PRO edition.

Duxbury Braille Translator Duxbury is a multi-platform, multi-language application for print-to-braille and braille-to-print translation that is also fully accessible with screen reading and magnification software. Computers for the Blind and Visually Impaired Computers for the Blind and Visually Impaired Computers for the Blind and Visually Impaired Screen Readers and Magnification Software are Key Assistive Technologies Freedom Scientific By Andrew Leibs Updated October 10, 2016. 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 blind people 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. 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 automated phone and voicemail systems. continue reading below our video The Most Popular Camera Apps 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 though the list "Enter" once they hear "Internet Explorer." 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. To further enhance clarity, ZoomText provides controls so users can adjust: 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. 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. The Need for Training No matter which technology one chooses, a blind person cannot simply purchase a computer and screen reader and expect to use it effectively without 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 want.

Training sources include: JAWS Screen Reader - Best in Class Built-in free DAISY Player and full set of DAISY-formatted basic training books Works with Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and much more Supports Windows® 8.1 and Windows 10, including touch screens and gestures Support for MathML content presented in Internet Explorer that is rendered with MathJax Fast information look-up at your fingertips with Research It Convenient OCR feature provides access to the text of PDF documents, even those with scanned images that are reported as empty documents by screen readers Save time with Skim Reading The only Windows screen reader to provide contracted Braille input from your Braille keyboard Fully compatible with MAGic, screen magnification software, and OpenBook, scanning and reading program Advanced Features JAWS Tandem available for free to help with support and training Optional support for Citrix, Terminal Services, and Remote Desktop Powerful scripting language to customize the user experience on any application Includes drivers for all popular Braille displays Includes voices for over 30 different languages Distributed worldwide with local sales and support in most countries You May also Want...

List of Computer Screen Readers for Visually Impaired - Disabled World List of Computer Screen Readers for Visually Impaired Print Published: 2014-08-06 (Rev. 2016-11-02) - Contact: Ian Langtree at Disabled World Synopsis: A list of both commercial and free mobile and computer screen readers for the blind and visually impaired. About Screen Reader A screen reader is defined as a software application that attempts to identify and interpret what is being displayed on a computer screen. This interpretation is then re-presented to the user with text-to-speech, sound icons, or a Braille output device. Screen readers are a form of assistive technology (AT) potentially useful to people who are blind, visually impaired, illiterate or learning disabled, often in combination with other AT, such as screen magnifiers . Computer screen readers read out loud the content that is on the computer screen. Screen readers enable access to a computer and all the things it does when magnification no longer helps or when you might experience visual fatigue if you have to read large amounts of on-screen text.

Main Document "The most popular screen reader worldwide, JAWS for Windows works with your PC to provide access to today's software applications and the Internet." A screen reader is a software application that attempts to identify and interpret what is being displayed on the computer screen. This interpretation is then represented to the user with text-to-speech, sound icons, or a braille output. Screen readers are a form of assistive technology (AT) potentially useful to people who are blind, visually impaired, or learning disabled, often in combination with other AT such as screen magnifiers . Some programs speak or make other sounds so that they can be used by blind people or people who cannot see the screen. These programs are termed self-voicing and can be a form of assistive technology if they are designed to remove the need to use a screen reader. Not only do screen readers differ widely from each other, but most are highly configurable. For example, most screen readers allow the user to select whether most punctuation is announced or silently ignored. Some screen readers can be tailored to a particular application through scripting. One advantage of scripting is that it allows customizations to be shared among users, increasing accessibility for all. JAWS enjoys an active script-sharing community, for example.

Microsoft Windows operating systems have included the Microsoft Narrator light-duty screen reader since Windows 2000. Apple Inc. Mac OS X includes VoiceOver, a feature-rich screen reader. ( List of VoiceOver Apps ) The console-based Oralux Linux distribution ships with three console screen-reading environments: Emacspeak Yasr Speakup BlackBerry 10 devices such as the BlackBerry Z30 include a built-in screen reader. There is also a free screen reader application for older less powerful BlackBerry (BBOS7 & earlier) devices. The most widely used screen readers are separate commercial products: JAWS from Freedom Scientific ZoomText Magnifier/Reader from AiSquared The opensource screen reader NVDA is gaining popularity. Screen readers that are free and/or offer a free trial period and can be purchased online: Creator *nix and Windows console Free and open source Available to download; part of most Linux distributions. A background process (daemon) which provides access to the Linux/Unix console (when in text mode) for a blind person using a refreshable braille display. It drives the braille display, and provides complete screen review functionality. Some speech capability has also been incorporated.

BrowseAloud ChromeOS or, with speech processor, Linux, Mac, Windows Free ChromeVox is a screen reader for Chrome and Chrome OS. Microsurf Microsurf is a screen reader for Chrome. ClaroRead & ScreenRuler Suite Windows and Mac Commercial ClaroRead is a flexible software program that helps you read, write, and study. You can read any on-screen text out loud and also improve your writing in Microsoft Word. ClaroRead Plus and Pro also lets you read aloud scanned paper books and documents. ClaroRead 7 has now been released with 80 high-quality text-to-speech voices in 30 languages. ClaroRead 7 also has a version for Mac computers. ClickHear Windows and Mac Commercial Text-to-speech. Three voice options. Variable text and highlighting color options. Translates to several different languages: Spanish, French and German. Configuration settings saved per user ClickHear Mobile Windows and Mac Commercial No software installation required. Text-to-speech. Three voice options. Variable text and highlighting color options. Translates to several different languages: Spanish, French and German.

Configuration settings saved per user ClipSpeak Windows Freeware A lightweight text-to-speech tool with a minimal user interface that speaks text copied to the clipboard. COBRA Supports Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA) and the Java Access Bridge. Digital Future Windows Commercial Digital Future specializes in developing human voice computer synthesis software (text-to-speech software). Providing exceptional voice quality through their partners from AT&T and NeoSpeech (a VoiceWare subsidiary). TextSpeech Pro, has proven that the unique technological principals and wide features of the voice synthesis system provided are highly valued and unique. Edbrowse *nix console Free and open source Makes a complete audio desktop, including web access with JavaScript support. Free and open source. Makes a complete audio desktop, including web access with JavaScript support. This program is a re-implementation of ed, with browse capabilities built in. You can edit a local file or a remote html document. If you have retrieved an html file, the new command 'b' browses the document, rendering all the html tags in a blind-friendly manner. Since it is a combined editor browser, it is called edbrowse. Emacspeak Emacs (on *nix) Free and open source Turns Emacs into a "complete audio desktop".

A speech interface that allows visually impaired users to interact independently and efficiently with the computer. Emacspeak speech-enables local and remote information via a consistent and well-integrated user interface. Available free of cost, Emacspeak has dramatically changed how the author and hundreds of blind and visually impaired users around the world interact with the personal computer and the Internet by providing efficient speech-enabled access to the audio desktop. Emacspeak/Linux provides a reliable, stable speech-friendly solution that opens up the Internet to visually impaired users around the world. Fire Vox Unix, Linux, Windows, OS X Free and open source For browsing with Firefox only (plugin) HAL Windows Commercial Supports MSAA, the Java Access Bridge, and PDF. Hal has been developed for blind computer users, at home, at work and in education. Hal is a software screen reader that works by reading the screen interactively and communicating through a speech synthesiser or a refreshable Braille display. Hal talks as you type, announcing words or characters so you can check what you write. Read image labels, font styles, Windows menus and icons for easy navigation. 30 day Free Trial available for download. HT Reader Windows Commercial Includes support for MSAA and PDF, a screenreader for Windows XP.

Using the speech synthesis or the Braille terminal, the application helps visually impaired user access the computer. Features include speech synthesis and Braille terminal support Optional reading of element attributes (type and order of attributes), Access to Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Word, Excel, Skype, Access to PDF files and two reading modes - normal mode, screen mode. iZoom Windows Commercial Screen magnifier with low-vision speech capabilities. Includes support for Mozilla Firefox. Is the world's first truly mobile solution for visually impaired users. It works on any Windows 2000/XP/Vista based machine, regardless of administrative privileges. iZoom Web is the only magnifier in the world which works directly from a website. JAWS Windows and DOS Commercial for Windows; freeware for DOS Includes support for MSAA, the Java Access Bridge, and PDF. The most popular screen reader worldwide, JAWS for Windows works with your PC to provide access to today's software applications and the Internet. With its internal software speech synthesizer and 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.

Kurzweil 3000 firefly - Kurzweil 1000 Cambium Learning Group Inc. Windows and Mac OS, iPad Commercial Text to speech which incorporates easy note taking and writing tools to support outline to editing. Supports Daisy, NIMAS, PDF, MathML, HTML and TXT. Kurzweil is a text to speech reading, writing and learning software for special education students and adult learners with Learning Disabilities, Vision Impaired and English Language Learners (ELL). It is highly effective for the classroom, in a business environment or for individual use at home. Leitor de Telas Brazilian Portuguese screen reader. MSAA support. Lingspeak Windows Commercial A visual screen reader, which highlights the object and text being read. Supports MSAA, Java Access Bridge (OpenOffice), per line reading from Win32 classes "Edit" (Notepad) and "RichEdit" (Wordpad), MS Word. UIA and IAccessible2 is being worked on. One-month trial version available. LookOUT Windows Commercial Also available integrated with a screen magnifier. Will give a voice to your computer. You will hear what you type and listen to everything that appears on your screen.

If you see a little, it will save you having to strain and look all the time. If you can't see at all, you can still enjoy the computer. You can also alter the way the voice behaves and sounds. MAGic Speech magnifier with low-vision speech capabilities. It can be used together with JAWS. Microsoft Narrator Windows Commercial Bundled with recent versions of Windows, this basic screen reader makes use of MSAA. A text-to-speech utility for people who are blind or have low vision. Narrator reads what is displayed on the screen" the contents of the active window, menu options, or text that has been typed. Narrator is designed to work with Notepad, WordPad, Control Panel programs, Internet Explorer, the Windows desktop, and some parts of Windows Setup. Narrator may not read words aloud correctly in other programs. Mobile Speak Windows Mobile Commercial Full-fledged screen readers and Braille interfaces that let you access your mobile phone. One-month trial version available. Model T Reader Windows Free and open source Programmed and scriptable in Python. Supports Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Word, Excel and Outlook Express, and Mozilla Thunderbird. Supports web content using JavaScript. Supports Java Access Bridge.

IAccessible2 is supported. A free and open source screen reader for the Microsoft Windows Operating System. This software can enable blind or vision impaired people to access computers running Windows. Orca *nix Free and open source The development of Orca was started by Sun Microsystems as part of the GNOME project with contributions from many community members, but since Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems in 2010, Orca turned into a completely community-driven project. It supports AT-SPI, so it works with the GNOME desktop, Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird, OpenOffice - LibreOffice and GTK+, KDE/Qt and Java Swing - SWT applications. Though it is developed by the GNOME project, it is the most popular screen reader for Unix like systems with graphical environments other than GNOME, like KDE or Unity. A free, open source, flexible, extensible, and powerful assistive technology for people with visual impairments. Using various combinations of speech synthesis, braille, and magnification, Orca helps provide access to applications and toolkits that support the AT-SPI (e.g., the GNOME desktop). The development of Orca has been led by the Accessibility Program Office of Sun Microsystems, Inc. with contributions from many community members.

PC-Talker Includes a license for Infovox iVox. 15 days trials. ReadHear Windows and Mac Commercial Support for NIMAS 1.1 and DAISY/NISO 2005. Support for MathML-enabled NIMAS and Digital Talking Books. Additional navigation for escapable and skippable text. Easier book import. New navigation pane. SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) support. Roaming activation for greater portability. Concurrent licensing for institutions. Optimized for large books. Page-by-page display. Improved support for books on CD. Revised keyboard shortcuts and support for multi-media keys. New AT hardware support. Continuous playback without focus. Automatic update checking. Save As DAISY compatibility. Read Outloud Windows and Mac OS Commercial Incorporates reading guide for easy note taking and outline construction. Supports Daisy, NIMAS, PDF, RTF, HTML and TXT. ReadSpeaker Web-based Free - Commercial Available in 35 languages and 90 voices. Device-independent and no downloads required by end-user. Synchronized highlighting of the text being read.

The new version of ReadSpeaker docReader enables online content owners to provide their end users with a highly accessible, plugin-free document viewer that can display all types of documents. The web-based docReader offers highly scalable usage levels for content owners wishing to make their online documents available to users. Read & Write Windows Commercial An inexpensive screen reader for Windows 95, Windows 98, WindowsMe Millennium, Windows NT4(SP6), Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Simply Talker 98/2000 provides ample support for Windows. It works with applications that comply with the Active Accessibility standard and has a built-in software based text to speech engine (you can also use your existing synthesizer if it supports the SSIL, SAM or SAPI interfaces). Trial download available. SodelsCot Windows Commercial Spanish screen reader. Converts copied or typed text to speech in any Windows program. Includes voices in Spanish and can use others compatible with SAPI5. It can create wav and mp3 files. Speak-Easy Media System Windows Commercial Includes a screen magnifier and output to Braille devices. 30 day Free Trial available for download. Supports MSAA, the Java Access Bridge, and PDF.

System Access Windows Commercial System Access delivers full access to any computer running the Windows XP or later operating system. You get all the functionality of traditional screen readers. SA is intuitive and easy to use. With just a few basic commands you can use popular applications such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook (including the calendar function), Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Adobe Reader (including forms filling), Skype, and many more - the tools you need for your job, your lifestyle, and for interactive social networking. The System Access license includes two computers. Trial download available. Supports Microsoft Internet Explorer (including DHTML - Ajax and Flash), Outlook Express, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype, and Adobe Reader. No support for Java yet. TalkBack Use with SoundBack and kickback TalkButton Mac Commercial TalkButton works together with Microsoft Word to create an extensive text-to-speech environment. Features include highlighting of spoken text and keyboard echo. Trial version available. Talks Symbian OS Series 60 or 80 Commercial Presentation and free Trial Version to be found on the site. TeleTender All Platforms Free TeleTender is a voice communication platform for sight impaired people, embedded with a cloud based screen reader.

Users can interact with any web pages on the internet by issuing voice commands over the phone. To use it, just dial one of its access numbers. TextAloud All Platforms Free and commercial Reads text from email, web pages, reports and more, aloud on your PC. TextAloud can also save your daily reading to MP3 or Windows Media files ready for playback on your iPod, PocketPC, or even on your TV with Tivo's Home Media Option. You can download a free trial version of TextAloud. It does not include the optional premium voices, but is a fully functional version of TextAloud that you can evaluate for 15 days with no obligation. Text to Speech Windows Freeware A free program that converts written text into spoken words or even written text into MP3 files. Seven programs: Text to speech: Reader, Web browser, Mini Clipboard reader, Image Presentation, Appointment Reminder, Speaking Clock, Parental Controls Thunder ScreenReader Brazilian screen reader. Supports MSAA. VoiceOver Mac OS X, iPhone, iPad, iPods and Apple TV Free, Commercial Free and included with any Apple product. No installation or setup required. Available in over 30 language voices, which are also included for free.

An accessibility interface that offers you magnification options, keyboard control and spoken English descriptions of what's happening on screen. VoiceOver reads aloud the contents of files including web pages, Mail messages and word processing files, provides a comprehensive audible description of your workspace and includes a rich set of keyboard commands that allow you to navigate the Mac OS X interface and interact with application and system controls. See Apple Accessibility for more information. WebAnywhere Web Free Open Source Doesn't require any software installation to run so can be used at any public terminal that has sound available - works on any platform. WinZoom Windows Commercial Screen reader with magnifier. USB version does not require any installation and can be used on any public computer. Window-Eyes Windows Commercial Available to buy or download 30-minutes per Windows session demo. Supports MSAA. Gives total control over what you hear and how you hear it. Plus, with its enhanced Braille support that control is extended to what you feel as well. On top of all that, the power and stability of Window-Eyes means that most applications work right out of the box with no need for endless tinkering in order to get them to function properly. ZoomText Windows Commercial Includes a screen magnifier.

Seeing and hearing everything on your computer screen is clearer than ever. ZoomText's xFont magnification displays high-definition text that you'll recognize effortlessly. With NeoSpeech synthesizers, your applications and documents are read aloud by friendly, human-sounding voices - right through your computer's speakers. And with ZoomText's productivity tools, finding what you're looking for is quick and easy. Trial download available. ASAP (Automatic Screen Access Program) MicroTalk

Question: What is the most popular reading system for the blind?
Answer: Braille