Help Page: Assistive Technology (6:16)

Transcript: Assistive Technology

Presenter: What is assistive technology? A screen reader is an assistive technology that helps blind and low vision people access and interact with digital content such as websites, smart phones, tablets and iPads. It works by reading aloud the text on the screen and providing auditory feedback about the content. Users can adjust the settings of the screen reader to meet their individual needs, for example, by changing the speech speed, pitch, or language, and enabling features like text-to-speech or Braille output.

Screen readers convert the visual information on the screen, such as text, buttons, and images, into spoken words or Braille. They enable users to navigate and interact with websites and software, providing critical accessibility for individuals who cannot rely on traditional visual displays.
For blind braille users and those who are deaf-blind, screen readers can be used with a Braille display, which converts the spoken output of the screen reader into Braille. This allows users to read and interact with digital content by reading with their fingers, making the content accessible through touch.

Navigating a Screen Reader with gestures. On mobile devices, screen readers support navigation, reading and writing through touch gestures. Users can swipe, tap, and perform other gestures to navigate headings, links, buttons, and forms. For example, swiping left or right may allow users to move through elements, and tapping on an item will activate it. Some gestures may vary depending on the screen reader or mobile operating system. Additionally, users can rely on voice commands to interact with elements.

Navigating a Screen Reader with a Keyboard: Screen readers typically support navigation reading and writing through keyboard commands. Users can navigate headings, links, buttons, forms, and other elements on a page using various keyboard shortcuts. For example, the ‘tab’ key allows users to move forward through content, while the arrow keys enable navigation through text and other elements.

Popular Screen Reader Programs:

JAWS (Job Access With Speech) – A popular screen reader for Windows computers, known for its extensive features and customizable settings.

NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) – A free and open-source screen reader for Windows.

Zoom Text – Which not only has speech but enlarges text to 60x.

VoiceOver – The built-in screen reader for macOS and iOS iPhone, iPad devices. It is highly integrated into Apple products and provides features such as multi-touch gestures and voice input for navigation.

TalkBack – The screen reader available on Android devices, allowing users to navigate through Android apps and features via touch or voice input.

Most blind schools teach Apple products because they are foremost in speech technology, and the gestures are standard across all their devices. Screen readers are a vital tool for enabling blind and low vision individuals to access digital content.

Apps for Accessibility

Seeing AI is a free, innovative app designed specifically for people who are blind or have low vision. Developed with input from the blind and low-vision community, this app uses artificial intelligence (AI) to narrate the world around you. By harnessing the power of AI, Seeing AI provides descriptions of nearby people, text, and objects, helping users better understand their surroundings.

The app offers multiple modes for different tasks, such as:

Text recognition: Seeing AI can scan and read printed text aloud, from books to labels.

Face recognition: The app identifies and describes people in your environment, helping users recognize friends, family, or strangers.

Object recognition: Users can point their phone camera at objects to receive descriptions, enabling greater independence in everyday tasks.

Scene recognition: The app can describe the environment, colors, money, and detect text in photos, making it easier for users to understand what’s in the frame.

Be My Eyes:
Be My Eyes is a free app that connects blind and low-vision individuals with sighted volunteers around the world, providing on-demand assistance through live video calls. When a user requires visual support, they can request help via the app, and volunteers respond in real time to assist with tasks such as reading labels, identifying objects, or navigating environments.

Key features of Be My Eyes include:

Live video support: The app enables one-on-one, live video calls, allowing volunteers to guide users by describing what they see in the camera feed.

Global community: Multi-language volunteers from across the world are available, meaning help is accessible at any time of day.

Specialized support: Certain companies also provide dedicated support via the app, allowing users to get help with product-related inquiries or troubleshooting.

With a community of over 6 million volunteers and growing, Be My Eyes fosters a sense of connection and inclusivity, enabling individuals with visual impairments to perform everyday tasks more independently.