Visually+Impaired+and+Screen+Readers

Visually Impaired or blind people usually explore the Web using a screen reader and voice synthesizer. “The screen reader is an assistive technology that interprets the user interface (UI), announcing its content sequentially as it appears in the HTML source code. In addition to the text, the screen reader announces the interface control elements and non-textual components, such as links, images and window objects, which are embedded in the page content”.(ercim-news) These elements are important for helping a blind user to figure out the page structure. These elements are important for helping a blind user to figure out the page structure, but if the layout is too complex, the actual reading process can require considerable cognitive effort. Without being able to visually see the screen this process can sometimes be overwhelming, because the visually impaired user will have to search for what they are using for and sometimes this process takes almost as twice as long(or longer) than if a person was sighted. A screen reader is beneficial in that it identifies and interprets what appears on the screen of a computer screen. Microsoft Windows incorporates its own Screenreader, the Microsoft Narrator light-duty screen reader. Apple Mac operating system also includes VoiceOver, a feature-rich screen reader. There are also popular free and open source screen readers, such as the Orca for Unix-like systems and NonVisual Desktop Access for Windows. The most widely used screen readers are separate commercial products: JAWS from Freedom Scientific, Window-Eyes from GW Micro, Dolphin Supernova by Dolphin, System Access from Serotek, and ZoomText Magnifier/Reader from AiSquared. The main downfall of the free readers is that some do not meet the accessibility standards for the blind, including the Microsoft version. It only complies for the Word Processing section only. This means that the visually impaired student may need additional assistance from a classmate, teacher or assistant in order to be able to use it correctly and efficiently. JAWS was the one screen reader that had high reviews all over the internet. This is offered by Freedom Scientific and carries a price tag of $895 (standard) and $1,059 (professional). JAWS also provides Braille output in addition to, or instead of, speech. An array of versatile features and customizable options lets you tailor JAWS for your individual needs and preferences. (freedomscientific.com). Screen readers are a very useful tool when working with the visually impaired. I have personally used Sreenreader from Microsoft and Jaws in my classroom with a student. The JAWS was downloaded on a trial basis. I like both programs, but feel that working with a student who is blind and has low cognitive ability can be difficult to use either. With both they required assistance from either me or a teacher assistance.

Sources: [] http://www.freedomscientific.com/products/fs/jaws-product-page.asp