Index
This list is for reference purposes only and does not reflect endorsement by the IDRC
Description
A Screen Reader is the commonly used name for Voice Output Technology used by individuals unable to read the standard text displayed on screen. Screen readers produce synthesized speech output for text displayed on the computer screen, as well as for keystrokes entered on the keyboard. Talking browsers, such as IBM's Home Page Reader, use the same technology as screen reading software, but the reading functions are limited to Internet use.
Points to ponder - Questions to consider when shopping for a screen reader or talking browser
- Is it compatible with your computer's platform?
- Which file formats can it read?
- Can it output to a refreshable Braille display?
- Can the size of the reading chunks be varied?
- For talking browsers, does it allow telephone-based web access?
Screen Readers
Free OS Enhancements
- Dr. Charles (Chuck) Hallenbeck: Information on Screen Readers and Software for DOS and Linux
- Narrator for Windows XP & Voice Over for Mac OS X are software features included in their Operating Systems, respectively. Please note that neither offer the functionality of a commercial screen reading program.
- Simply Web 2000 by EconoNet International Speech Series - a free talking web browser
- WINKLiNE for Windows from Speech Systems for the Blind
Windows
- HAL by Dolphin Systems
- Window-Eyes
- From GW Micro, Inc. Fort Wayne, Il
- JAWS for Windows
- Windows screen reader with multiple synthesizer support
- From Freedom Scientific Blind/Low Vision Group
- Lookout by Choice Technology (UK) Ltd.
- Browsealoud from Texthelp - supports: Dutch, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian) and works with HTML/Alt Tags/Java/Flash/PDF for Windows and Mac
- OutSpoken for Windows, brailleOUT for Windows, Key Note Gold Speech Synthesizer from ALVA Access Group Inc.
- VIRGO4 for Windows
- From BAUM Products, Wiesenbach, Germany
- Will be replaced in 2007 by Cobra for Windows Vista
- Brookestalk Developed by Oxford Brookes University, focuses on facilitating intelligent web-searching - free download
- WinVision
- Screen Reader for Windows & DOS
- From Artic Technologies, Troy, MI
Macintosh
- VoiceOver from Apple
- Will be integrated into OS X with the release of Mac OS X v 10.4 Tiger
- Browsealoud from Texthelp - supports: Dutch, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian) and works with HTML/Alt Tags/Java/Flash/PDF
- OutSpoken for Macintosh from ALVA Access Group Inc.
- works with OS 9 and below.
- ALVA discontinued supporting Outspoken for OS X and above