How to set up a screen reader for the visually impaired | Leader in Social Information
You no longer need to see to read on your computer. In recent years, technology has developed various applications to make this task easier. This is the case with screen readers that can recognize written text and translate it into virtual voice. This feature is especially useful for people with certain visual impairments.
Tools like TalkBack or VoiceOver are screen readers that allow people with visual impairments to interact with a device using a series of gestures.
These tools are very effective for people with visual impairments, although they cannot respond to voice instructions to perform actions on other devices, but require physical interaction.
Depending on the device, these apps must be configured in one way or another, and people with visual impairments have the option of also setting up one of the screen readers, be it TalkBack or VoiceOver, to be able to have greater access to their assistant settings. easily.
When you get a new device, one of the first options on the initial setup screen is usually to activate TalkBack or VoiceOver. They serve to help the device set up one of these virtual assistants.
If these options were disabled when you initially set up your device and you want to enable them in the future, there are a number of steps you must follow to be able to use these screen readers correctly.
For TalkBack for Android devices, the default activation option is to press both volume buttons for three seconds. If this option is disabled, you need to go to Settings, select Accessibility, and activate TalkBack. If Google Assistant is already activated, simply say “Hey Google, activate TalkBack.”
In the case of VoiceOver for Apple devices such as the iPhone, the default is to press the side button or home button of the device three times. If this option is disabled, you need to go to Settings, Accessibility and activate VoiceOver. If Siri is activated, simply say “Siri, activate VoiceOver.”
Once you activate your screen reader, you can only navigate your device using gestures, such as touching the device a certain number of times with a specified number of fingers.
VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS
These screen readers should not be confused with virtual assistants such as Alexa or Siri, which also allow you to perform a range of actions using a voice command.
According to ONCE’s study on the usage habits of these virtual assistants, one of the biggest challenges faced by people with visual impairments is navigating the initial setup of these tools.
There are also other types of apps that, when combined with a virtual assistant, can offer a variety of options for interacting with all types of files. Such is the case with Be My Eyes, a tool designed for people with visual impairments that uses artificial intelligence and a network of volunteers to describe images from photographs.