Screen-Free Computing Using Speech

what is 'print disability'?

Problems:

• Interacting with GUI buttons, menus, etc.
• Reading, interacting with web pages
• Reading books, news, letters, etc.
• Labels, colors, tags, ...

Ways to use a PC

1. Reduced Vision = windows accessibility: wizard = High contrast theme + Big cursors +bigger text +best contrast + Magnifier +mouse magnifier + browser and PDf settings
2. Audio training and useful also for sighted (recommended) textaloud from nextup.com reader and MP3 converter
3. audio mode= Keyboard mappings - Mouse - monitors + screen reader software + + lots of practice ++

What is a 'screen reader'?

• Uses "synthetic speech" aka "text to speech"
• reads text in browsers, word processors
• Tells buttons, combo boxes, etc. in applications and Windows DEMO:
• Narrator in Windows Accessibility (crippled, still useful)
• recommend: free, open source NVDA (non-visual desktop access) or $1000+ JAWs, window eyes
• demo: reading in firefox and writing in Jarte audio friendly editor

How do you read books?

• booksense from GW MicroTTs, also reads TXT, HTML, has radio, recorder, and plays MP3
• books from bookshare.org volunteer and publisher 60,000+ books also USA special ed distributor, Print disabled memberships for copyright exemption
• DAISY (XML) Digital Talking Books format books, 1000+ in hand
• download books and transfer to SD card
• can also convert books to MP3 with textaloud
• scan books flatbed scanner using OCR or letters with camera scanner

How do you keep up with news?

• levelstar Icon mobile manager and docking station, blind-designed LINUX
• News via NFB Newsline to bookshare, wireless download Demo: new York times
• RSs feeds for blogs, news, and podcasts
• Twitter links, activities, ...
• Icon also has pop3 email,calendar, calculator, word processor, music player ala iPod, 60GB disk,...
• download books from bookshare, transfer to booksense

Can you really listen to those robotic voices?

• Older "robotic" (MS SAM, dectalk) and recent "natural" voices (neospeech, ATT,)
• Overcome "synthetic voice shock" by practice, appreciation of information without human narration
• Demo: "Lost symbol" excerpt in different voices
• Buy voices at nextup.com and other vendors

What is next?

1. Kindle speak menus, settle publisher dispute, university DOJ lawsuit
2. iPod touch with voiceOver for apps demo: hear me fumble
3. KNFB reader Phone: camera + OCR + TTS demo
4. convergence with mainstream, mobile to benefit all, reduce cost
5. web accessibility movement: read chisholm and May's 'Universal design for web applications'
6. Every device should have talking mode: TV access, video captions, security and heating controllers, cross-walk signals, color tellers, labels, SSA info,...
7. More TTS use by sighted people:: proof reading, style checking, unglue eyes from screen,>

Where do you learn this stuff?

• NOT 'low vision' doctors, who do optics
• Some low vision vendors
• CSUN accessibility conference exhibits (san Diego March)
• Podcasts: accessibleworld.org and blind cool techACB 'Main menu'>
• Twitter and blogs, Blind Bargains, Accessibility Buzz,...
• PCS Accessibility SIG?