When a blind user is using the Internet the primary function of a screen reader is to provide speech output of the contents of a web page. However many screen reader also contain additional features such as support for Braille displays as well as some sort of screen magnification software to assist visually impaired users who use the Internet.
It is impossible to list all of the screen readers that are available to buy, however a brief description of some of them is given below. There are also links to pages where demo’s of some of the screen readers on this page can be downloaded, as well as links to additional information.
JAWS was created by Freedom Scientific its supports both speech output and Braille display access. JAWS includes a script language for configuring speech enhancements to non-standard programs, as well as keyboard, dictionary and frame configuration. The JAWS screen reader is driven by application script files. Scripts are provided for many common applications such as Windows programs, Microsoft Word and Excel, Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. It reformats a web page (e.g. links alphabetically reordered allowing quick and ordered scrolling, tables reformatted into single column including column headers. It is compatible with Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. A 40 minute demo is available from the Freedom Scientific website.
Windows Eyes was created by GW Micro, It works well with Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer. It includes a range of configuration options, which can be set via a menu. No script language or programming is required. Features include automatic graphic labelling and the ability to define functionality to specific areas of the screen. A trial demo can be downloaded from the GW Micro website.
This was created by IBM and works well with Internet Explorer and IBM Web Explorer.
Window Bridge was created by Synthavoice. It contains a wide range of commands to assist the user, the commands can be activated via the keyboard. It also supports Braille displays.
OutSPOKEN was developed by Berkeley Access of Berkeley Systems. It is available in two types: outSPOKEN Solo for speech output and OUTSPOKEN Ensemble for Braille display support and speech output. The interface has almost all the controls centred on the numeric keypad. Speech output is restricted to the active window to avoid text being read from inactive parts screen. The numeric keypad is used to control the movement of the mouse cursor round the objects displayed in the active window and what text is spoken.
The Braille displays supported by OutSPOKEN include ALVA Braille Terminal 3 series, ALVA Delphi 4 series, TSI Navigator series, PowerBraille series
HAL was created by Dolphin Computer Access Ltd, UK. HAL supports both speech and Braille display access and they are automatic screen readers with no configuration files required. HAL is compatible with Microsoft Office and supports the Alva and Tieman Braille displays. Verbal labels can also be added to graphic elements such as icons and are compatible with Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer. HAL also supports several languages including British, American English, Spanish, Greek, and Swedish. A demo can be downloaded from Dolphin Computer Access website.
Ultrasonix evolved out of the Mercator Project at Georgia Tech to provide speech output support for XWindows on LINUX. A downloadable copy is available from the TRACE website.
Simply Talker is part of the EconoNet Internet Speech Series. It provides speech output for a number of applications including Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office Winzip, Notpad, Wordpad and SAMI. It also provides full support for Windows in fact it will provide speech output for any application that uses Microsoft’s Active Accessibility (MSAA) standard. It has the following accessibility features:
WinVision was created by Artic Technologies. It is a screen reader that supports a wide range of Braille displays. It is MSAA compatible and therefore is considered to work well with Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, and Microsoft Office. WinVision is considered simple to use, and has been successfully used as support for screen magnification programs. A free 30 minute demo can be downloaded from the Artic Technologies website
Narrator is a basic screen reader that built in within Windows 2000 and Windows XP it provides speech output for users who are blind or visually impaired. It also identifies menus and toolbars, and reads menu options and text as it is typed. It also announces all other key presses and user actions.
Narrator is designed to work with Notepad, Wordpad, Control Panel programs, Internet Explorer, Windows 2000 desktop, and Windows 2000 setup. Narrator has a number of options that allow one to customize the way screen elements are read they are as follows:
Supernova was created by a company called Dolphin. It is a combination of Hal screen reading software and the Lunar screen magnifier. Supanova provides speech output of web pages. It also supports Braille displays and contains screen magnification facilities. It also supports a number of windows application and has a number of features that can assist a blind or visually impaired user while they are using the Internet these include:
TextExpress offers restricted screen reading. It has been designed for people who do not require all the functionality of a full screen reader. It also supports word-processing and the Internet.
CAST eReader not only provides speech output but also provides visual highlighting of text. It enables spoken voice, visual highlighting, document navigation, or page navigation to any electronic text. The CAST eReader contains the following accessibility features:
This was created by Kurzwell Education Systems. It scans pages and displays them on the screen. It then reads that pages aloud. This is primarily used to read printed information and electronic text. It can be useful to a blind user who is reading an electronic book online. The voice output is provided using a US accent though this can be changed. More information about Kurzwell 1000 can be found on the Kurzwell website.