Introduction to VoiceOver
VoiceOver is the screen reader built into Mac OS X. It includes Alex, an advanced system voice that closely resembles a human voice.
The VoiceOver Quick Start Tutorial
VoiceOver is the screen reader included with Mac OS X. To learn how to use VoiceOver to control your computer, you can view a VoiceOver Quick Start tutorial.
The VoiceOver Help Menu
VoiceOver includes a Help Menu for sighted users who are learning how to use the application. The VoiceOver Help Menu lists the keyboard shortcuts associated with each VoiceOver command.
VoiceOver Keyboard Help
VoiceOver’s keyboard help will assist you in learning the many keyboard shortcuts you can use with VoiceOver.
Changing the Accessibility Settings for Mac OS X with the Keyboard and VoiceOver
VoiceOver is the screen reader included with Mac OS X. This tutorial covers how to use the keyboard to navigate to the Universal Access preferences, where the accessibility settings for Mac OS X are found, while the screen reader is active.
Changing the VoiceOver Preferences
VoiceOver is the screen reader built into Mac OS X. Using the preferences in the VoiceOver Utility, VoiceOver can be customized to meet each student's specific needs.
Changing the VoiceOver Preferences with VoiceOver
VoiceOver is the screen reader included with Mac OS X. This tutorial covers how to use the keyboard to open the VoiceOver Utility and change VoiceOver preferences while VoiceOver itself is active.
Changing the Voice Used by VoiceOver
VoiceOver, the screenreader included with Mac OS X, ships with several voices. In addition to changing the voice used by VoiceOver, you can use the VoiceOver Utility to adjust other settings such as the speaking rate, pitch and intonation.
Changing the VoiceOver Pronunciation Settings
VoiceOver may have problems pronouncing certain words, such as acronyms and abbreviations, correctly. To make sure VoiceOver pronounces these items correctly you can adjust the pronunciation settings in the VoiceOver Utility.
Changing the VoiceOver Verbosity Settings
The VoiceOver verbosity settings determine how much detail VoiceOver will read back. These settings are accessed through the VoiceOver Utility found in the Seeing pane of the Universal Access preferences.
The VoiceOver Caption Panel
The Caption Panel of VoiceOver lets a sighted person follow what a person who has a visual impairment is doing while he or she works with VoiceOver.
The Tile Visuals Feature of VoiceOver
A good way to learn how to navigate with VoiceOver is to use the Tile Visuals feature to dim the contents of the screen while you practice using the various VoiceOver commands. While Tile Visuals is enabled you will only be able to see the contents of the VoiceOver cursor (the rectangle that defines the area VoiceOver will read back to you).
Using VoiceOver to Interact with the Menu Bar
The Menu Bar provides access to each application's commands and settings. This tutorial explains how to interact with the Menu Bar while VoiceOver is turned on.
Using VoiceOver to Interact with the Dock
The Dock provides shortcuts to frequently accessed programs and folders. This tutorial explains how to interact with the Dock while VoiceOver is turned on.
Using VoiceOver to Search with Spotlight
Spotlight is the search technology built into Mac OS X. With Spotlight and VoiceOver, you can search your computer for files, folders, emails and other items using just the keyboard.
Navigating a Web Page with VoiceOver
VoiceOver, the screen reader built into Mac OS X, can be used to listen to web pages accessed with the Safari web browser.
Using the Web Rotor to Navigate a Web Page with VoiceOver
The Web Rotor provides an easier way to navigate a web page with VoiceOver using lists of headings, links, forms and other items on a web page.
VoiceOver's Quick Nav Feature
Most of your interaction with VoiceOver will involve the use of keyboard shortcuts, and many of these shortcuts will include the Control and Option keys. These keys are known as the VoiceOver (VO) keys. Quick Nav is a new feature in Mac OS X that allows you to navigate without having to use the VO keys. Quick Nav uses the arrow keys arranged as an inverted T on your keyboard for navigation.
Switching Applications with VoiceOver
To switch applications while VoiceOver is running, you can use the operating system's built-in application switcher or VoiceOver's Application Chooser menu.
Reading Email with VoiceOver and Apple Mail
VoiceOver is the screen reader included with Mac OS X. This tutorial covers how to use VoiceOver to read your email with Apple’s Mail program.
Sending an Email Message with VoiceOver and Apple Mail
VoiceOver is the screen reader included with Mac OS X. This tutorial covers how to use VoiceOver to send an email message with Apple’s Mail program.
Using WebAnywhere
WebAnywhere is a browser-based screen reader that can be used on any computer with access to the Internet.
Text to Speech in Mac OS X
The Text to Speech feature is useful for users who have low vision but do not use a screenreader.
The Zoom Tool in Mac OS X
The zoom feature built into Mac OS X can magnify the contents of the screen for low vision users.
Changing the Display Contrast in Mac OS X
To improve the contrast and make it easier to read the contents of the screen, use the Display settings in the Seeing pane of the Universal Access window.
Changing the Cursor Size in Mac OS X
The Mouse & Trackpad pane of the Universal Access window includes an option to change the cursor size. Increasing the cursor size can make it easier to locate on the screen for people with low vision.
Using Mouse Locator to Make the Cursor Easier to Find
Mouse Locator is a free pointer enhancement that can make it easier to find the pointer on the screen if you have low vision.
Making the Dock Easier to See
The Dock includes shortcuts to the applications and folders on your computer. As you add shortcuts to the Dock it can become difficult to see all of the icons, especially if you have low vision.
Making the Icons on Your Computer Easier to See
On newer computers with high resolution displays, the icons on the Desktop or in a Finder window may be so small that they are difficult to see for people with low vision.
Setting Up Your Computer to Announce Alerts with Text to Speech
You can set up your computer to use spoken alerts when a popup window opens or when an application requires your attention. These two settings are helpful if you have limited peripheral vision that could cause you to miss alerts that open outside of your range of vision.
How to Use Narrator in Windows 7
Windows 7 includes Narrator, a basic screen reader that can read the information on the screen for people who are visually impaired.
Changing Ease of Access Preferences with Narrator
The Windows 7 Narrator can be used as a basic screen reader. This tutorial covers how to use the keyboard and Narrator to turn on the accessibility features of Windows 7 and change other settings found in the Ease of Access Center.
The Windows 7 Magnifier
Windows 7 includes a Magnifier that can magnify the area around the pointer for people who have low vision.
Changing the Size of the Icons in Windows 7
If you have low vision and your display is set at a high resolution, the default size of the icons in Windows 7 may be too small for you to see comfortably. The Appearance and Personalization settings of the Control Panel include an option for enlarging the icons and text to make them easier to see.
Adjusting the Display Contrast in Windows 7
Windows 7 includes several themes that can be used to customize the display with matching icons and backgrounds. Several of these themes are high contrast for low vision users.
Making the Cursor Easier to See in Windows 7
Windows 7 includes several options to make the cursor easier to locate on the screen if you have low vision.
Installing NVDA on Windows 7
NVDA (Non Visual Desktop Access) is a free, open source screen reader for Windows. This tutorial covers how to install the program on your computer.
Using the NVDA Screen Reader on Windows 7
NVDA (Non Visual Desktop Access) is a free, open source screen reader for Windows. This tutorial covers how to get started using NVDA on your Windows computer.
Changing the NVDA Synthesizer Settings
One of the first things you will want to do after you install NVDA is change the synthesizer. NVDA ships with eSpeak, but the Microsoft Windows 7 synthesizer offers a much better voice.
Changing the Voice Settings for NVDA
This tutorial covers how to change the speaking rate and other voice settings for NVDA, a free screen reader for Windows.
Enabling Audio Cues for NVDA
NVDA has a preference that uses audio cues to let you know where you are on the screen as you move the mouse. This option is helpful when you are getting started with NVDA and need to get more familiar with the layout of items on the screen.
Navigating Web Pages with NVDA
This tutorial covers the navigation shortcuts for reading the contents of a web page with NVDA.
Accessing the Text Only Version of the USF Website with NVDA
Like many websites, the USF website features a text only version of the site that has been optimized for screen readers. This tutorial covers how to access the text-only version of the USF website with NVDA, but the navigation shortcuts will work on any website.
Accessibility Options in Text-Only Version of USF Website
The text-only version of the USF website includes several options for people with low vision who do not yet use a screen reader. The text can be enlarged, and the background can be changed to provide more contrast and make it easier to read.
Resizing Text In Your Browser (Mac)
There has been some debate in the web accessibility community as to whether it is a good practice to provide text resizing widgets on web pages. One opinion on this topic is that users should learn how to resize the text using the zoom options provided by the web browser, as not every web page will have text resize widgets. In this tutorial, you will learn how to zoom the text and layout in the most popular Mac web browsers: Safari, Firefox, and Google Chrome.
Resizing Text in Your Browser (Windows)
There has been some debate in the web accessibility community as to whether it is a good practice to provide text resizing widgets on web pages. One opinion on this topic is that users should learn how to resize the text using the zoom options provided by the web browser, as not every web page will have text resize widgets. In this tutorial, you will learn how to zoom the text and layout in the most popular Windows web browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Google Chrome.
Using Chromevis for Google Chrome
Chromevis is an extension for the Google Chrome web browser designed for those with low vision. It can highlight and magnify text.
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