Screen Reading Software

A screen reading program will read text on the screen and output it as speech via a speech synthesiser or sound card. Modern screen readers have been developed to interpret graphical user interfaces.

Screen reading software can be purchased separately or bought bundled together with the speech synthesiser and other hardware.

Ai Squared

PO Box 669, Manchester Center, Vermont 05255, USA.
Tel: +1 802 362 3612
Fax: +1 802 362 1670
Email: info@aisquared.com
Web: www.aisquared.com

ZoomText Magnifier / Reader

Integrated magnification and screen reading for vision impaired computer users. With new 'xFont' and NeoSpeech technology, ZoomText Magnifier/Reader allows you to see and hear your computer with perfect clarity.
Price: $595.00 (new product on CD); $695.00 (new product on USB); $199.00 (CD upgrade); $299.00 (USB upgrade)
Last updated: 27/05/2008

BAUM Retec AG

Schloss Langenzell, D-69257 Wiesenbach, Germany.
Tel: +49 6223 49090
Fax: + 49 6223 4909399
Email: info@baum.de
Web: www.baum.de

Cobra

Screen reader for Windows XP and Windows VISTA.
Last updated: 27/05/2008

Virgo4

Virgo4 enables blind and visually impaired users to have access to the text information presented on the screen using three different media. Information can be read on a braille display; listened to via a speech synthesizer or the magnifying module Galileo which has been incorporated into Virgo4 to display the information on the screen using the size and colours which meet the user's personal requirements. Virgo4 is able to combine all three components. Compatible with most Braille displays, Internet Explorer 5, Windows NT, 2000 and XP.
Last updated: 27/05/2008

CAST Inc

40 Harvard Mills Square, Suite 3, Wakefield, Massachusetts 01880-3233, USA.
Tel: +1 781 245 2212
Email: cast@cast.org
Web: www.cast.org

AspireREADER v.4

AspireREADER™ 4.0 is an enhanced version of the CAST eReader 3.0 that helps struggling students improve reading and learning outcomes by providing access to digital talking books, webpages and word processing through synchronized visual, auditory and tracking feature functions. AspireREADER™ 4.0 is a Section 508 compliant software reader and provides a user-friendly experience for students and readers of all ages, while providing special features and navigation controls for individuals with sensory and cognitive disabilities. Available for Windows only. (The Macintosh version is under development.). Requires: Windows 98, 2000, ME, or XP and Internet Explorer 6.
Price: $229.00 (upgade $89.00)
Last updated: 27/05/2008

Cloudworld Ltd

College House, Chiswick Mall, London W4 2PR, UK.
Contact person: John Nissen
Fax: +44 20 8742 0202
Email: jn@cloudworld.co.uk
Web: www.cloudworld.co.uk

WordAloud

WordAloud is a user-friendly system that helps people read text from a computer file or web page. WordAloud can be controlled using the keyboard or the mouse. It displays text, one word at a time, in large characters on the screen, while simultaneously speaking the word with a speech synthesiser. Users can play the text continuously, pause and step backward or forward by word, sentence, paragraph or section, much like using a tape recorder or CD player. In addition, the display colours, text font, speech synthesiser and reading speed can be configured to suit individual users. WordAloud runs on Windows 98, NT, 2000 and XP. WordAloud can be used by people with a wide variety of special needs, including visual impairment, dyslexia, RSI and attention deficit disorder.
Price: £49.95 plus VAT; £199.80 plus VAT (site licence)
Last updated: 27/05/2008

CodeFactory, S.L.

Rambla d'Egara, 148, 2-2, 08221 Terrassa (Barcelona), Spain.
Tel: +34 93 733 70 66
Fax: +34 93 789 30 51
Email: info@codefactory.es
Web: www.codefactory.es

Mobile Speak for Symbian Phones

Mobile Speak is a screen reader solution for mobile phones that allows access to most of the functionality of the device. Works with a wide range of text-to-speech technologies, including Fonix, Acapela and Loquendo. Available in over 20 languages. Provides several verbosity levels for a better user experience. Additional voices and languages can be plugged in. Supports the Optelec EasyLink Braille keyboard. Mobile Speak allows a free trial license so that the user can freely test the software with no restrictions for one month. Mobile Speak is designed to work with the Symbian operating system and is carrier-independent. Supported phones are: Nokia 3230, Nokia 3650, Nokia 3660, Nokia 6260, Nokia 6600, Nokia 6620, Nokia 6630, Nokia 6670, Nokia 6680, Nokia 6681, Nokia 6682, Nokia 7610, Nokia 7650, Nokia N70, Nokia N90, Nokia N-Gage, Nokia N-Gage QD, Samsung SGH-D720, Siemens SX-1, Panasonic X700, Panasonic X701.
Last updated: 27/05/2008

Mobile Speak for Pocket PCs

A full-fledged screen reader that provides innovative access to mobile devices powered by the Pocket PC and Pocket PC Phone editions of the Windows Mobile® operating system. Allowing navigation of the interface and use of applications on mainstream personal digital assistants (PDAs) and PDA phone hybrid devices. Moreover, Mobile Speak Pocket provides: Flexibility to choose and upgrade to any mainstream Smartphone device meeting the system requirements. Several Text-to-Speech voices to choose from over 15 supported languages, allowing multiple TTS engines to be installed on the same device and easily selected anytime. Drivers for different Braille devices such as Braille displays, keyboards with or without refreshable Braille lines, and Haptic Braille printers. A full-screen Magnifier plug-in that both enlarges and enhances visibility of screen text and icons. Opportunity to install and use third-party applications such as Audible® Player, GS Player, Resco File Explorer, and Pocket Skype among others. Multiple input methods through MSP software input panels, as well as integrated and external QWERTY keyboards. Frequently used commands assigned to virtual buttons accessible to the blind through the touch screen. A logically structured command layout that is easy to learn and remember. Support for an advanced scripting language, LUA, to make more applications accessible. A comprehensive on-board help system for learning commands and available functions. Mobile Speak Pocket has been tested with a number of Pocket PC devices including HP iPAQs, Dell Axims, the Fujitsu Siemens Pocket LOOX, and HTC/Qtek devices. For a complete list of supported Pocket PCs, please refer to the website.
Last updated: 27/05/2008

Mobile Speak for Windows Mobile Smartphones

Mobile Speak SmartPhone (MSS) allows the user to: Manage their call lists. Select and edit phone profiles. Track their schedule and contacts. Send and receive SMS and email. Browse the internet. Play different media files. Record voice notes. Change all device settings. Synchronize data with the PC via ActiveSync. Connect to other devices such asmobile phones, PDAs and laptops to share data. Run third-party applications to enhance the functionality of the SmartPhone. In order to successfully use Mobile Speak SmartPhone, the following specifications are required: Operating system - Windows Mobile 5.0 SmartPhone edition and later versions. Memory - At least 32 MB RAM, and 2 to 20 MB of storage memory depending on the text-to-speech engine used. An external storage card compatible with the users device is strongly recommended. Built-in Bluetooth - A Bluetooth-compliant device is required to run Mobile Speak Pocket. This will also allow the user to use Bluetooth-enabled external keyboards, headsets and other accessories. Connectivity to a Windows PC with ActiveSync - The device should be able to connect via USB or Bluetooth to a Windows 2000 or Windows XP computer with the latest version of Microsoft ActiveSync correctly installed. Mobile Speak SmartPhone has been tested with a number of devices including those from Microsoft partner High Tech Computer Corporation, Motorola, and i-Mate. For a complete list of supported SmartPhones, please refer to the website.
Last updated: 27/05/2008

Dolphin Computer Access Ltd

Technology House, Blackpole Estate West, Worcester WR3 8TJ, UK.
Tel: +44 1905 754577
Fax: +44 1905 754559
Email: info@dolphinuk.co.uk
Web: www.YourDolphin.com

Hal

Hal is a software screen reader that works by reading the screen interactively and communicating through a speech synthesiser or a refreshable Braille display. Key features include: Hal talks as the user types, announcing words or characters so they can check what they write. A single key allows them to read an entire document, email or web page. Fast and accurate multilingual Braille output for text at their fingertips, (Grade 1 & 2 computer or literary Braille supported). Access complex websites with ease by choosing to list links, headings or frames. Read image labels, font styles, Windows menus and icons for easy navigation.
Price: £575.00 (download); £595.00 (boxed software)
Last updated: 27/05/2008

Smart Hal

Smart Hal enables a users mobile phone to speak to them, so when it rings, Smart Hal will tell them who is calling. If the battery or signal strength is low, Smart Hal will let them know. And it will give them voicemail alerts, tell them about missed calls and speak out numbers as they dial. Smart Hal also opens up the world of text messaging. Users will find that some of the new handsets are Windows Mobile Smartphones – and are available free of charge when they upgrade or take out a new contract.
Price: £175.00 (download);
Last updated: 11/05/2007

Supernova

Supernova offers magnification, speech and braille support, giving people with visual impairment the freedom to access Windows in the way that suits them best. Key features include: Supernova includes magnification, speech and braille output to cater for all types of visual impairments. A combined screen reader and magnifier helps to reduce eye strain by allowing users to increase magnification or add speech during the day as eyes become tired. Supernova includes a full screen magnifier with features such as variable magnification, multiple screen management styles and a variety of colour replacement options to overcome partial sight impairments. It also includes a full screen reader for people who are blind, which can cope with text and Braille input together with speech and Braille output. Compatible with Windows 98, ME, NT v 4.0, 2000 and XP.
Price: £815.00 (downlaod); £835.00 (boxed software)
Last updated: 27/05/2008

EconoNet International Inc

11404 Lakeview Drive, Coral Spring, Florida 33071, USA.
Email: ammirata@econointl.com
Web: www.econointl.com

Simply Talker 98

Screen access for Windows 95, Windows 98 and WindowsMe Millenium. This screen reader has a Smart-Tracking feature that reads with a human-like voice what the user is doing on the screen. It allows access to the WIndows 95/98 desktop and provides ample support for 32 bit applications using Microsoft's Active Accessibility API. Simply Talker 98 includes a US English software speech synthesiser, which works through the user's existing sound card. A hardware synthesiser can also be used. Requires: 486 or better IBM compatible, 16 MB RAM, Windows 95 or 98, and a 16 bit sound card or an SSIL/SAPI compliant synthesiser. An international version is also available.
Price: $50.00
Last updated: 27/05/2008

Simply Talker 2000

Screen access for Windows 95, Windows 98, WindowsMe Millenium, Windows NT4 (SP6) and Windows 2000. Features are as above, in addition: provides additional support for devices that use the SAM interface for speech synthesis. Simply Talker 2000 will work under Windows 95 only if it is installed after installing Internet Explorer 4.01 or later.
Price: $100.00
Last updated: 27/05/2008

Freedom Scientific Inc

11800 31st Court North, St Petersburg, Florida 33716 1805, USA.
Tel: +1 727 803 8000; 1 877 775 9474 (within USA only)
Fax: +1 727 803 8001
Email: info@freedomscientific.com
Web: www.freedomscientific.com

Jaws for Windows Screen Reading Software

Developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content, JAWS reads aloud what's on the PC screen. JAWS enables the user to work with Microsoft® Office Suite, MSN Messenger®, Corel® WordPerfect, Adobe® Acrobat Reader, Internet Explorer™ 7, Firefox™ amongst other applications.
Price: $895.00 (Standard edition); $1,095.00 (Professional edition)
Last updated: 27/05/2008

OPENBook 7.0

Once scanned, OPENBook converts print into electronic information that can be read aloud by the synthesizer and the text is displayed on the screen with a variety of settings for those with low vision. Features include a Low Vision Menu; a pane at the bottom of the screen to instantly change size, color, font and document spacing. Compatible with all Windows operating systems.
Price: $995.00
Last updated: 27/05/2008

G W Micro Inc

725 Airport North Office Park, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825, USA.
Tel: +1 260 489 3671
Fax: +1 260 489 2608
Email: sales@gwmicro.com
Web: www.gwmicro.com

Window-Eyes

Window-Eyes provides full access to Windows and related applications. It supports nearly all Windows operating systems, including Windows 9X, ME, 2000, XP, and 2003. It supports Internet Explorer, common email programs, and Microsoft Office, including 100% text accuracy in Microsoft Word.
Price: $895.00
Last updated: 27/05/2008

Handy Tech Elektronik GmbH

Brunnenstrasse 10, D-72160 Horb, Germany.
Tel: +49 7451 55460
Fax: + 49 7451 554667
Email: info@handytech.de
Web: www.handytech.de

Talks&Braille

Talks&Braille enables the blind and visually impaired to use mobile phones with organizer functions. Information shown on the telephone display will be spoken by the speech output. With Handy Tech Braille systems such as Braillino, Braille Wave, Braille Star 40, the mobile phone can be controlled via Braille input and output. Functions include: Caller ID detection, Phone book, Announcing keys, SMS and Email reading and writing, Scheduler, Braille support (Grade 2 support, selectable Braille tables, cursor routing, block marking and navigational functions). Avaliable phones: Series 60: Nokia 7650, 3650, 3660, 6600, N-Gage, Siemens SX1; Series 80: Nokia Communicator 9210i.
Last updated: 27/05/2008

IBM Human Centric Solutions Center

Compagnie IBM France, Service 2222, Tour Descartes - La Défense 5, 2 Avenue Gambetta, F 92066 Paris La Défense Cedex, France.
Email: humancentricsolutions@fr.ibm.com
Web: www-03.ibm.com/able/europe/index.html

IBM Home Page Reader

Using an IBM text-to-speech synthesizer, Home Page Reader speaks Web-based information aloud in a clear and effective manner as it is presented on the computer screen. Users hear everything from a description of graphics, to forms, frames and tables. Special navigation features provide additional help in understanding complex tables and data input fields, and a simple search function provides the capability to look for descriptive text on a page or the entire Web. In addition to being a Web browser, Home Page Reader includes a desktop reader with keyboard navigation and speech output for Adobe Reader, Macromedia Flash, and a number of Windows applications, including the Windows desktop and selected system applications. Requires Windows 2000 or XP.
Last updated: 27/05/2008

K-NFB Reading Technology, Inc

P.O. Box 620128, Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462-0128, USA.
Tel: +1 877 547 1500
Web: www.knfbreader.com/index.php

KNFB Mobile Reader

Software for mobile telephones that reads most printed documents. Easily recognizes U.S. currency. Displays each sentence visually and highlights each word as it is read. Stores thousands of pages using easily obtainable flash memory. Transfers text files to and from computers or Braille note takers. Adjusts reading speed to suit user’s preference. In addition, with the use of a screen reader, the user can access the other functions of the phone device including making and receiving phone calls, personal information management such as contacts, calendar, etc. Also contains ability to run accessible GPS programs, access to Adobe PDF files, voice recorder, music player and much more. Specifications: Operating system - Symbian S60, 3rd Ed, FP1; Supported phone models - Nokia N82; Supported languages - US English or UK English; On phone free flash storage - 50 Mb required; Flash card storage - up to 500 images per GB; Memory - 40 Mb free RAM required; Camera - 5 megapixel, autofocus with xenon flash required.
Last updated: 27/05/2008

Screenreader.net CIC

7 The Rookery, Orton Wistow, Peterborough PE2 6YT, UK.
Tel: +44 1733 234441
Web: www.screenreader.biz/

LookOUT

LookOUT is a speech output screen reader. Features include: Will speak what is typed; Read out documents; Read menus, icons and dialog boxes; Tell the user where they are in the system; Read emails and web pages; Speak contextual help information. Preferences include: Speed, pitch and volume options; Male and female voice options; A novice verbose mode for beginners; On-screen navigational tones. System requirements: At least 350 MHz and 64MB RAM; Any sound card or video card; Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP or NT with Service Pack 6.
Price: £80.00
Last updated: 27/05/2008

WordRead

WordRead delivers speech output from computer text. The operator places the mouse at the beginning of the text to be listened too, presses play and hears a spoken version of what is on the screen. Available in 15 languages. Compatible with Windows 98, ME, XP and 2000.
Price: £59.00 (solo voice); £89.00 (triple voice)
Last updated: 27/05/2008

Thunder PLUS

User can plug the Thunder PLUS memory stick into any modern PC and in seconds the computer will talk to them in a choice of two high quality voices. If the user has Dragon naturally-speaking, they can talk to their computer and control it with their voice, so there is no need to use their hands. A disk is provided with the memory stick so that they can install Thunder PLUS on their home
computer as well. System requirements: Compatible with Windows Vista, XP and 200 with Service Pack 6; Windows XP Home or Professional; USB port; 180 MB hard disk space; Speakers/earphones to enjoy the speech; Extra RealSpeak voices each require an additional 80 MB hard disk space.
Price: £159.00
Last updated: 27/05/2008

Software Express Limited

The Old Bakery, 5 Station Road, Ushaw Moor, Durham DH7 7PX, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 845 22 55 005
Fax: +44 191 373 44 22
Email: sales@SoftwareExpress.co.uk
Web: www.softwareexpress.co.uk

Guide Software

Guide is an all-in-one computer package, for people who are blind or partially sighted. It has been specifically designed to be easy-to-use and easy-to-learn. Guide has its own in-built screen reader, so it will read out the text on every screen, even while you're typing. It also has its own in-built screen magnifier, so the user can enlarge the text on every screen, whether they are writing a letter or surfing the Internet. It also turns their computer into an easy-to-use Reading Machine. Printed text documents are placed on the scanner and then both spoken out and magnified on the screen. Guide is available as a CD to be loaded onto an existing computer, or as a complete computer package, all setup and ready to be used. Guide offers many great features, which are all integrated within one package, so that there is no need to switch between different programmes to complete each task. These features include: Write letters and documents; Spell-Checker; Dictionary and thesaurus; Magnify handwriting, diagrams or pictures; Print or edit photos from your digital camera; Send and receive emails; Surf the Internet; Addresses and contacts; Calendar and reminders and playing CDs and MP3s.
Price: £395.00
Last updated: 27/05/2008

WebInSight

c/o Richard Ladner, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Box 352350, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Tel: +1 206 543 9347
Fax: +1 206 543 2969
Email: jbigham@cs.washington.edu
Web: http://webanywhere.cs.washington.edu/

WebAnywhere

WebAnywhere is a web-based screen reader for the web. It requires no special software to be installed on the client machine and, therefore, enables blind people to access the web from any computer they happen to have access to that has a sound card.
Price: Free from wa.cs.washington.edu
Last updated: 18/08/2008

Words Worldwide Ltd

9 Military Road, Heddon on the Wall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 0BQ, UK.
Tel: +44 1661 854700
Fax: +44 1661 824744
Email: info@keyspell.com
Web: www.keyspell.com

KeyStone SpeechMaster Solo

SpeechMaster is a bundled product, comprising Keystone ScreenSpeaker Solo and Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional software. The user dictates each word or phrase into a microphone attached to a suitable computer. This is converted into text by Dragon NaturallySpeaking and displayed on the computer screen using a standard word processor program. Keystone ScreenSpeaker Solo then speaks the text out in its own clear computer voice. By comparing what was dictated with what is spoken back, the user can check whether the correct words have been displayed on the screen. If a correction needs to be made, Keystone ScreenSpeaker Solo assists in providing spoken alternatives. System requirements: Pentium 4 processor, 512 MB RAM, CD ROM Drive, Windows XP, 1GB HDD, Suitable USB headset.
Price: £250.00
Last updated: 27/05/2008