Reference number: CH000812
How can I get my PC to talk to me?
Question:
How can I get my PC to talk to me?
Cause:
Users who are blind or have impaired vision may need their
computer to speak to them so they can help understand what is on
the screen and navigate a graphical environment easier.
In addition, some users may want a PC to talk to them and/or read
text to them as they are working on something else to help increase
productivity.
Answer:Below are some of the many different ways a user can get their
computer to read text aloud to them and/or read text that is on their
screen. This document has been broken up into different categories to
help users looking for specific programs or services find
more of what they are looking for.
Blind or vision impaired users looking for
accessibility solutions
Users looking for programs to run on their computer to
read text aloud
Users looking for speech synthesis on the Internet
Blind or vision impaired users looking for
accessibility solutions
Below are some programs that can help users who are blind or
vision impaired with browsing a graphical environment, such
Microsoft Windows, the Internet, or other portions of the computer.
Microsoft Windows Narrator and Magnifier - Although these
programs are not as sophisticated as some of the other solutions
listed below, these are free software solutions that come with
Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, and later that can help Microsoft
Windows users navigate their computer. Both of these programs can
be accessed by clicking Start, Programs, Accessories,
Accessibility, and then clicking on either Magnifier or Narrator.
Below is a brief description of each of these programs.
Magnifier - A great program that allows users who are
vision impaired or find it difficult to read a lot of the text on
their screen to magnify portions of the screen, allowing them to
read and navigate their computer easier.
Narrator - This program is intended more for the blind;
it reads buttons, links, and portions of a window aloud to the
user, allowing him or her to navigate. Unfortunately, this program
is fairly limited; however, it can help some users with their
navigation, but most will need to find an alternative.
JAWS -
One of the most sophisticated and highly recommended programs, JAWS
is a screen reader capable of reading almost everything available
on the screen. In addition to being able to read all text and
navigation features of the operating system, JAWS also is capable of
outputting the information to Braille. Unfortunately, because of all
of its capabilities and complexities, this program is one of the
most expensive solutions.
Dolphin
- Another excellent and highly recommended program, Dolphin
software Pocket Hal is a great program for the visually impaired
and blind users that is capable of reading everything on the screen
in almost every program. Not only does Dolphin provide a great
software program, there are other great solutions provided by this
company that help users read papers or documents by scanning them
into their computer, read aloud information on PDAs and other
portable devices, and much more.
Baum Virgo
4 - Another good program cable of making Windows easier to
navigate for the visually impaired. It has many of the features
mentioned in the above programs and is capable of reading many of
the popular programs used today.
Users looking for programs to run on their
computer to read text aloud
If you're looking for a program to install and run on your
computer at any time that can read text aloud, you should
consider one of the below free programs.
Sayz Me Text
To Speech Reader - A fantastic, free Windows software
program that will read any text that is typed in or text that is
copied.
Ultra Hal
Text-to-Speech Reader - Another great, free Windows software
program that allows users to copy text into a program and have the
text read aloud by various different voices.
Microsoft Agent
- A free service provided by Microsoft that not only allows users
to have access to text-to-speech software, but also includes an
animated character that animates to the text being typed in.
Users looking for speech synthesis on the
Internet
Below is a small listing of just a few of the web pages
available that allow users to type and listen to speech synthesis
over the Internet. Almost all of these pages only require a web
browser and speakers (or headphones) to work.
AT&T
Text-To-Speech (TTS) demo - One of the best freely
accessible and sounding speech synthesis programs online that will
convert typed text into an audio format that can be played all
online without the need of having to download any software.
Say... -
Another great free online program that allows you to type text into
a text box and have that text converted into an audio file that can
be played online.
Cepstral
Voices - A great online example of Blindwsoftware Cepstral
Voices for Talking Clock that allows users to try out all of the
available voices and effects online without having to download any
programs.
Microsoft Agent
- A free service provided by Microsoft that not only allows users
to have access to text-to-speech software, but also includes an
animated character that animates to the text being typed in. Users
can interact with the online character and have it speak any text
they type in without having to download anything. Site does
requires Internet Explorer 5.0 or later and must download an Active
X plug-in for this feature to work.
Click here to open a search for additional online text to
speech programs.
Additional information:
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