FLO Libguides: FLO Accessibility Toolkit: Assistive Technology

Screen Readers

Screen Readers are software that identify, navigate, and read media within web pages. Users can navigate Screen readers using the keyboard or voice, while media is read out-loud or provided as braille to the user.

NVDA
NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free screen reader that works with Windows. It is open-source software.
Cost: Free
Narrator (Windows)
Narrator is a screen-reading app included automatically with Windows 11.
Cost: Included with Windows 11
VoiceOver (Mac)
VoiceOver is a built-in screen reader on Mac devices.
Cost: Included on Mac devices
ChromeVox (Chrome)
ChromeVox is a built-in screen reader on Chromebooks.
Cost: Included with Chromebooks
Orca (Linux)
Orca is a free and open source screen reader that works with Linux.
Cost: Free
JAWS®
JAWS (Job Access With Speech) is a screen reader that works with Windows.
Cost: View prices on website
ZoomText
The ZoomText Magnifier/Reader is a program that magnifies screen content and automatically reads text. See Screen Magnification. See also Low Vision Solutions by Freedom Scientific.
Cost: View prices on website

Learn More: Read studies about screen-readers, including use of data visualizations.(Nino, J. et al. 2024; Osiobe, E. U. 2024;)

Screen Magnification

Screen Magnifiers make reading your screen easier by enlarging media such as words and images.

Magnifier (Windows)
This embedded feature in the Windows operating system allows a user to magnify part or all of the screen.
Cost: Included with Windows
Zoom (Mac, iOS)
This is a built-in feature on Mac and iOS devices that allows the user to zoom in on the screen.
Cost: Included with Apple devices

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To set up zoom on your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Settings (or System Preferences). Click Accessibility, then click Zoom. The built-in screen magnification feature can be used at any time by holding the Control key and scrolling the mouse wheel to zoom in or zoom out. In iOS the built-in visual accessibility settings allow you to activate Zoom, a screen magnification tool that can be enabled or disabled by double tapping with three fingers anywhere on the touchscreen.

Accessibility shortcuts: press Option (⌥), Command (⌘), and F5. On notebook computers with a Touch Bar, you might need to press the Fn (Function) key as well. On notebook computers with Touch ID, triple-press Touch ID. (If you press and hold the Command key while doing this, VoiceOver turns on or off.) To close the panel, click Done or click anywhere outside of the window.
Zoom in or magnify (Chromebook)
Users can change their screen resolution, and zoom in or out on Chromebooks using built-in functionality.
Cost: Included with Chromebooks
Font size and zoom (FireFox)
Using the FireFox browser, users can increase or decrease the size of the whole website or just the text using the zoom controls.
Cost: Free, FireFox feature
Magnification (Android)
Zoom or magnify content on any Android device using the Magnification tool. Shortcuts can be set up in the Accessibility settings.
Cost: Included with Android devices
ZoomText
The ZoomText Magnifier/Reader is a program that magnifies screen content and automatically reads text. See Screen Readers. See also Low Vision Solutions by Freedom Scientific.
Cost: View prices on website

Learn More: Read about screen magnification for mobile devices. (Ferreira Borges, W., & Gonçalves Mendes, E. 2024;)

Speech-Text Conversion

Text-to-Speech software transforms text in to an audible format.

Speak (Microsoft applications)
Speak is a built-in feature in Microsoft applications, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and OneNote, that reads text aloud in a chosen language.
Cost: Included with Microsoft applications
Spoken Content (Mac)
This built-in feature on Mac devices will read aloud text and is operable by keyboard shortcuts.
Cost: Included with Mac devices
Kurzweil 3000
Kurzweil 3000 is an educational tool for users with dyslexia, learning English, or who are blind or visually impaired. The software includes text-to-speech conversion and readability tools.
Cost: View prices on website
Text to Speech apps (Google Play)
You can find many text to speech apps for Android devices on the Google Play store.
Text to Speech apps (iTunes)
You can find many text to speech apps for mac devices at the iTunes store.

Speech-to-Text software transforms spoken language into text.

Voice typing (Windows)
This built-in Windows feature allows a user to enter text on their PC by speaking.
Cost: Included with Windows
Dictation (Mac)
This built-in Mac feature allows the user to dictate anywhere they can type. It can be turned on in Keyboard settings.
Cost: Included with Mac devices
Dragon speech recognition
Dragon speech recognition products allow users to create documents, access data, and navigate a computer by speaking. They offer different products optimized for various devices and applications.
Cost: View prices on website

Learn More: Read about advances in speech to text technology. (Orynbay, L. et al. 2024;)

Note Taking

Notetaking can take place in different forms using assistive technology from students in higher education to professional use.

Livescribe Smartpens
Livescribe Smartpens write with ink on paper like standard pens, but sync all handwritten notes to your phone.
C-Pen
C-Pens are pen scanners designed for reading and learning.
Scanmarker
Scanmarker allows a user to scan notes instantly to a computer, smartphone or tablet. It can also read-aloud while scanning and translate to some languages.

Learn More: Read about Assistive Technology and Note-Taking Strategies. (Belle, M., et al. 2024;)

Further info

Here are additional resources to continue learning, develop accessibility skills, and raise awareness.

American Foundation for the Blind – Assistive Technology Products
View a listing of assistive technology products for people who are blind or visually impaired compiled by the American Foundation for the Blind.
Accessibility Heuristics, V1.4 10: General Rules of Thumb for Accessible Design [PDF]
Find guidance on how to create accessible content.
What Are Some Types of Assistive Devices and How are They Used?
See more assistive devices from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

References

Nino, J., Ochoa, S., Kiss, J., Edwards, G., Morales, E., Hutson, J., ... & Wittich, W. (2024). Assistive technologies for internet navigation: A review of screen reader solutions for the blind and visually impaired. International Journal of Recent Engineering Science, 11(6). https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/faculty-research-papers/714/

Osiobe, E. U. (2024). Enhancing data visualization accessibility: a case for equity and inclusion. Engineering and Technology Quarterly Reviews. Engineering and Technology Quarterly Reviews, 7(1), 24–32. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.11241603

Ferreira Borges, W., & Gonçalves Mendes, E. (2024). Assistive technology and low vision: applications and accessibility resources in mobile devices. Brazilian Journal of Occupational Therapy / Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional, 32, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1590/2526-8910.ctoAO288437462

Orynbay, L., Razakhova, B., Peer, P., Meden, B., & Emeršič, Ž. (2024). Recent Advances in Synthesis and Interaction of Speech, Text, and Vision. Electronics, 13(9), 1726. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13091726

Belle, M., Walker, T. M., & Rich, I. (2024). Assistive Technology and Note-Taking Strategies to Foster Achievement Motivation and Self-Sufficient Learning in Students with Learning Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.20533/ijds.2040.2570.2024.0239