How to Get a Computer to Talk
Both Microsoft Windows and Macintosh OSX include built-in accessibility features to assist the visually impaired with computer usage. Using Text-to-Speech and VoiceOver causes your computer to read lines of text from the screen and narrate user actions so that a visually impaired user can work with a computer. Activating these features on your computer requires patience and practice to use them properly, but with the accessibility features active, anyone can use your computer.
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Instructions
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Activating VoiceOver on Apple Computers
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Select "System Preferences" from the Apple Menu. Select the "Universal Access" option.
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Click on the "Seeing" tab in the "Universal Access" window and select the "On" option below the "VoiceOver" section to activate VoiceOver.
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3
Click the "Open VoiceOver Utility" button to open the customization screen. Select the "VoiceOver Cursor Follows Mouse Cursor" option from the "Navigation" tab.
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Close the VoiceOver Customization Utility by clicking "OK" to save your preferences. The VoiceOver cursor will follow your mouse cursor and read text and commands from your screen while you use your computer.
Activating Windows Text-to-Speech
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Select "Speech" from the Windows Control Panel. Click the "Text-to-Speech" tab.
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Select the voice you want your computer to use from the "Voice Selection" drop down list. Click the "Preview Voice" button to hear a sample of the computerized voice. Click "Stop" to stop the preview.
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Adjust the "Voice Speed" if you want your computer to speak slower or faster than the "Normal" setting. Click the "Audio Output" button to open the Audio Output window and click on "Volume" to adjust the Text-to-Speech output volume. Click "OK" on all windows to close the window and save your changes.
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Run the Narrator by selecting the application from the "Start" menu. Select "All Programs," followed by "Accessories" and "Accessibility" to locate the Narrator.
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Select the "Announce Events On Screen" option to have Narrator track your onscreen movements. Your computer will begin narrating your actions, and will read the contents of a window if you press "Control + Shift + Spacebar."
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Tips & Warnings
Set up your computer to use text-to-speech features if you have a visually-impaired user who will use your computer frequently.
References
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