Screen Readers

Screen readers allow a person to navigate everything on the screen with or without vision. The following programs will need to be downloaded and installed on your individual computer. 

Simply click on the program name to learn more

Chromevox

The ChromeVox (Classic) screen reader is an extension to Chrome that brings the speed, versatility, and security of Chrome to visually impaired users. Its simple, yet powerful, navigation is easy to learn and quickly gets new users up to speed browsing web sites and web-based applications eyes-free. ChromeVox Classic Keyboard Shortcuts Reference http://www.chromevox.com/keyboard_shortcuts.html 

Please note that this extension is now in maintenence mode, and will no longer be updated.

JAWS

This is popular screen reader reads aloud what's on the screen and gives the user a unique set of intelligent tools for navigating and accessing web pages and on-screen content. This is one of the oldest and most reliable of the screen reading programs.

Installing the software allows the user to run the program as a demo for 40 minutes before having to restart their computer. This may be good for students who wish to use the program or for faculty to check if a site is accessible.

Narrator 

(Windows)

Narrator is a screen-reading app built into Windows 10. It is for those who use a screen reader regularly. Narrator reads text on your PC screen aloud and describes events, such as notifications or calendar appointments, so you can use your PC without a display.

NVDA

NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free screen reader that reads text on the screen in a computerized voice. You can control what is read to you by moving the cursor to the relevant area of text with a mouse or the arrows on your keyboard. NVDA can also convert the text into braille if the computer user owns a device called a “braille display”.

VoiceOver  

(Apple)

VoiceOver is a screen reader app for Macintosh that speaks the text in documents and describes aloud what appears on your screen. This is a guide to helping learn VoiceOver basics and techniques.

Talkback 

(Android)

TalkBack is a Google screen reader included on Android devices. TalkBack gives you spoken feedback so that you can use your device without looking at the screen.