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Home  Screen Readers amp Magnification Devices
Screen Readers and Magnification Devices
Another critical technology of particular importance to individuals who are blind or visually impaired is a screen reader. A screen reader is a software program that is loaded onto a computer to enable a user to have the text on the screen read aloud for navigation purposes. Screen readers also provide users with non-visual access to launching programs. For example, instead of requiring a user to click on a particular word with the mouse, the screen reader usually will provide a keystroke command to activate the same action. Many screen readers can be adjusted to specific users needs – both the speed of the speech, the sound of the voice, and the degree to which the screen reader operates programs. Librarians may wish to consider whether to incorporate a screen reader program on the public computer terminals.
For those users with some vision, there are also magnification programs that allow the user to change the size of the font on the screen and adjust the contrast of the text. Some of these programs are add-on programs that enhance the ability of the operating system to adjust the fonts and contrast. In addition, operating systems such as Microsoft Windows have many accessibility features built- in, and offer the user significant control over font size, magnification, and even the size of the cursor.
Librarians should familiarize themselves with the accessibility features built-in to current equipment, and be able to provide information to library patrons about how to activate these features to improve access to library facilities and services.
Further information:
American Foundation for the Blind
http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=4&TopicID=31
WebAIM Screenreader Simulation:
http://www.webaim.org/simulations/screenreader
Trace Center – Introduction to Screen Readers:
http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/ltde/access/ewers.htm
Adaptive Technology Resource Centre:
http://www.utoronto.ca/atrc/reference/tech/scread.html
Apple Computer, Inc.
http://www.apple.com/accessibility/spokeninterface/
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