The following screen readers can be used by your computer to enlarge digital information for people with low vision. These screen reading tools provide access to information for people with no or very low vision. Many devices come with their own screen reading software, which you can find out about on our Customising mainstream technology page. A technology assessment should be used to determine the device that best suits your client’s needs.
Click each image for a product demonstration.
Zoom Text:
Zoomtext 10.1 for Windows 8
Zoomtext 10 for Windows 7
Zoom Text Mac
| An ‘eye-tea’ review of ZoomText Reader | |
| ZoomText Reader is an excellent screen reader for people with no or very low vision. It uses human sounding voices. Zoom Text reader allows you to turn information from emails, meetings, and documents into audio files to listen to on iPhones or other devices. | |
| Transportable | Available by disc, or USB (which makes it transferable to one computer at a time). |
| Available | Ai Squared Price: $599.00 AUD |
| Practical | Enlarges and magnifies in 8 different zoom windows. |
| Engaging | Easy to use and able to apply user preferences. Human sounding voices. |
JAWS:
JAWS
| An ‘eye-tea’ review of JAWS | |
| JAWS is one of the most popular commercially available screen reader as it works in conjunction with many input and out put devices, such as Focus 40 & PacMate. | |
| Transportable | loaded onto PC (windows only) |
| Available | Freedom Scientific and Quantum Price: $1,260.00 AUD |
| Practical | Recommended for Workplaces by Vision Australia |
| Engaging | Can access the computer, internet, social networking, word processing, email |
NVDA:
| An ‘eye-tea’ review of NVDA | |
| NVDA is the free screen reading software provided by Windows for access by blind or low vision users. | |
| Transportable | Available on Windows computers |
| Available | NV Access, free |
| Practical | Able to convert text to braille with braille reader |
| Engaging | Can access the computer, internet, social networking, word processing, email |
VoiceOver for Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard
Voiceover
| An ‘eye-tea’ review of Voiceover | |
| Voiceover is available free of charge on Mac computers | |
| Transportable | preloaded onto Mac computers and iOs devices |
| Available | Apple |
| Practical | Works in conjunction with refreshable braille displays. Enables user to access iPhone, iPad, iMac |
| Engaging | Full access to computer and internet. cool features such as Rotor and Gestures |
- System Access $399 Download a trial version Serotek
- Window-Eyes Available free of charge for Microsoft Office users Humanware.
- Built in Accessibility options
Headphones are important to ensure people can hear the audio clearly and don’t distract others . The style should be decided on depending on the activities being performed.
Other products:
With so many Screen Readers on the market, you may be interested in reading the summary article by Ike Presley.