Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Voice activated Website Access Reader? (self.Blind)
submitted by blind_duck
I'm trying to find a voice activated way for my visually impaired father to be able to access websites like wikipedia and news and have it read to him. He has no computer experience, but a friend demonstrated the Windows 10 reader for him. I'm surprised at the various things out there, but I'm not sure which of them could help me. Any ideas?
multi-instrumental 3 points 4y ago
The term you're looking for is "screen reader".
This is how blind people use smartphones, desktop computers etc. That in addition to refreshable braille displays. There's more information out there than you can shake a stick at.
This is how blind people use smartphones, desktop computers etc. That in addition to refreshable braille displays. There's more information out there than you can shake a stick at.
blind_duck [OP] 1 points 4y ago
> There's more information out there than you can shake a stick at.
That's kind of my problem, there's a lot out there that I'm having a tough time sorting through it all. It's admittedly a bit lazy on my part, but I was hoping for a simple answer. :)
That's kind of my problem, there's a lot out there that I'm having a tough time sorting through it all. It's admittedly a bit lazy on my part, but I was hoping for a simple answer. :)
AllHarlowsEve 2 points 4y ago
All windows computers, all macs, and all smart phones, as far as I know, come with a screen reader if they're relatively new. Anything from the $50 Kindle Fire tablet for kids up to the $1500+ macs can be used by people with visual impairments.
I'm a big supporter of macs and other apple products because of their higher quality voices and more intuitive interfaces. With my mac, I literally only use maybe 5 keys on the regular, as almost all of my browsing the internet, playing games, writing, editting, communicating, etc, can be done using basic gestures on the trackpad, the same ones I use on my iPhone.
Because of my brain damage, I have a hell of a time understanding the base voices for NVDA and Jaws, the main Windows screenreaders, and narrator is not as intuitive as one would think, in my opinion.
If you can, I'd take him to a best buy or apple store and let him try out the voiceover tutorial on the mac, or to your phone company to try out an iPhone.
If he's not willing to learn new things, I know that Alexa can use an unofficial wikipedia skill and I'm sure there's a few news skills on there. Plus, it's voice only so it should be fairly easy to use.
I'm a big supporter of macs and other apple products because of their higher quality voices and more intuitive interfaces. With my mac, I literally only use maybe 5 keys on the regular, as almost all of my browsing the internet, playing games, writing, editting, communicating, etc, can be done using basic gestures on the trackpad, the same ones I use on my iPhone.
Because of my brain damage, I have a hell of a time understanding the base voices for NVDA and Jaws, the main Windows screenreaders, and narrator is not as intuitive as one would think, in my opinion.
If you can, I'd take him to a best buy or apple store and let him try out the voiceover tutorial on the mac, or to your phone company to try out an iPhone.
If he's not willing to learn new things, I know that Alexa can use an unofficial wikipedia skill and I'm sure there's a few news skills on there. Plus, it's voice only so it should be fairly easy to use.
AllHarlowsEve 3 points 4y ago
Does it have to be voice activated due to other disabilities, or just because?
Voice activated assistants like the Google home, Amazon Echo and whatever Apple's is are all doable.
Also, iDevices or android devices can be made to talk, and only require some swiping and tapping, if you're willing to help him learn that little bit and he has the dexterity for it.
Voice activated assistants like the Google home, Amazon Echo and whatever Apple's is are all doable.
Also, iDevices or android devices can be made to talk, and only require some swiping and tapping, if you're willing to help him learn that little bit and he has the dexterity for it.
blind_duck [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Visual impairment due to macular degeneration and other issues plus my father's complete lack of computer knowledge, those are the issues.
CVRTCOMSCATIS 2 points 4y ago
I agree with others that voice activation would be one part of the solution for him but screen reading or magnification (esp with ARMD) would also likely be beneficial. Sounds like he needs to get involved with blind rehab
His lack of current computer or technology skills is ok. I’ve taught several blind folks over a hundred to use technology for the first time. If he wants it, he can do it.
Amazon’s Alexa is probably the easiest to introduce and learn to use to get started.
The $1 check out what’s available in your state. There are lots of resources for people with vision impairment. If the list is too daunting you’re welcome to PM me the city your dad is in and I’ll make recommendations for him or answer any other questions I might be able to.
His lack of current computer or technology skills is ok. I’ve taught several blind folks over a hundred to use technology for the first time. If he wants it, he can do it.
Amazon’s Alexa is probably the easiest to introduce and learn to use to get started.
The $1 check out what’s available in your state. There are lots of resources for people with vision impairment. If the list is too daunting you’re welcome to PM me the city your dad is in and I’ll make recommendations for him or answer any other questions I might be able to.
jrs12 1 points 4y ago
If there is an Apple store near you, for $100 they will teach him everything he needs to know about how to use his phone without any vision if he has an iphone... from simple to complex.
If not, start with one task. Open a web page with a voice command for the news, then use a gesture with voiceover on to read the whole page.
After that maybe practice having him answer, hang up, and make a phone call with gestures. Be very task oriented.
If not, start with one task. Open a web page with a voice command for the news, then use a gesture with voiceover on to read the whole page.
After that maybe practice having him answer, hang up, and make a phone call with gestures. Be very task oriented.
CVRTCOMSCATIS 1 points 4y ago
Unfortunately I’ve not found this to be particularly unsuccessful in the 3 Apple stores near me. Many of the geniuses I’ve interacted with are not well versed in accessibility (VoiceOver particularly) and are not necessarily teachers. I’m happy to share handouts for getting started with an iPhone accessibility features if anyone would like them.
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