Transcript for Video: Types of Screen Readers (0:56)

Transcript for Video: Using Jaws to Navigate an LMS (4:14)

In addition to the screen readers discussed in the videos, many PCs and Macs come with built-in accessibility tools.

On PCs with Windows 7 and higher there is an Ease of Access Center containing a number accessibility tools including a screen reader called Microsoft Narrator. Follow these steps listed below to locate the Ease of Access center on your PC and start Narrator.

Click the Start button
Click Control Panel
Click Ease of Access
Click Ease of Access Center
Click Start Narrator to enable the Narrator screen reader functionality
Customize Narrator using the Microsoft Narrator window. Note: Closing the Narrator window or clicking Exit will display the Exit Narrator window. Click Yes to disable Narrator or No to continue using Narrator.

For more information visit Microsoft’s Ease of Access Center

Mac OS X also offers a number of built-in accessibility tools, including a screen reader called Voice Over. To enable Voice Over:

Click on the Launchpad icon
Click on the System Preferences icon
Click on Accessibility
Click on Voice Over
Check Enable Voice Over. Note: If this is the first time using VoiceOver, a window will appear with a welcome. Click Use VoiceOver.
Click Open Voice Over Utility to customize the Voice Over Settings
Close the Voice Over Utility
Close Accessibility

For more information visit Apple’s Accessibility website.

While not as widely used as Mac OS and Windows OS, the Chrome OS also provides some built-in accessibility tools. To learn more visit the Chrome OS Accessibility website.

While the built-in accessibility tools of PCs and Macs provide users with text to speech options, these tools may not be enough and for some the cost of a screen reader can be prohibitive. There are a couple of free screen readers available for PC users.

Estimated time: 10 minutes