Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Another question: What email service do visually impaired people prefer (self.Blind)
submitted by solar-cabin
I know there are many email services out there but I wondered if there is one the visually impaired prefer that uses voice commands?
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Specifically, I need to know if you can use voice to activate and send the email and if that is built in or you are using a different speech recognition program?
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This is part of my research for a panic button for online so any help appreciated.
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Specifically, I need to know if you can use voice to activate and send the email and if that is built in or you are using a different speech recognition program?
​
This is part of my research for a panic button for online so any help appreciated.
hopesthoughts 2 points 4y ago
I do have a Gmail account for discussion lists and newsletters mostly, and a GMX account for well.... mostly, at this point Facebook lol.
solar-cabin [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Do you use a speech recognition and translation program with your email?
hopesthoughts 2 points 4y ago
I generally prefer paid email services. Was using Lavabit for a while, and I'm thinking about moving to Fastmail.
Nandflash 2 points 4y ago
I just wanted to say that I'm a big fan of Fastmail. I've been using it for a little over a year now.
smkelly 2 points 4y ago
Another vote for FastMail here. I've been using them for several years now, hosting several domains with boxes for family members and myself.
hopesthoughts 1 points 4y ago
Do you use a mail client? Or does Fastmail have an epic web interface?
Nandflash 2 points 4y ago
I used to use a mail client, but I actually really like their web interface so I primarily use that now unless I'm on mobile.
On a similar note, Fastmail recently redesigned their settings panel. Personally I liked the old one better, but it's still completely accessible. It could just be a little less crammed, especially in the aliases and users section. They used to be separate sections but now they're together.
On a similar note, Fastmail recently redesigned their settings panel. Personally I liked the old one better, but it's still completely accessible. It could just be a little less crammed, especially in the aliases and users section. They used to be separate sections but now they're together.
hopesthoughts 1 points 4y ago
OK I'll definitely try the web interface first.
solar-cabin [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Do you use a speech recognition and translation program with your email?
hopesthoughts 1 points 4y ago
A what? I use a screen reader.
solar-cabin [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Speech recognition is used by many people with visual impairments to enter text and commands through voice instead of typing.
If you are on windows 10 there is one installed on your system.
Type "speech recognition" in to the computer search box to set it up and give it a try.
If you are on windows 10 there is one installed on your system.
Type "speech recognition" in to the computer search box to set it up and give it a try.
WhatWouldVaderDo 3 points 4y ago
I’m interested in your assertion here. In my experience, many blind people do not use voice recognition to enter text on a desktop/laptop. Voice recognition seems to be more popular on mobile platforms, where text entry via a touch screen is significantly more slow than a physical keyboard. Do you have any resources that I could learn from about this?
hopesthoughts 1 points 4y ago
I wouldn't use that, and it isn't used by anyone that I know.
bscross32 1 points 4y ago
Unless they have a secondary disability, i don't know why visually impaired people or blind people would use speech to text. I'm VI and never have. We can type just fine.
Marconius 1 points 4y ago
I mainnly use Gmail for personal and work accounts, and interact with it using Apple's Mail apps in MacOS and in iOS. I am very proficient with braille screen input and use that to type emails, posts, and things such as this response. I used Dictation when I first became blind but advanced up to braille screen input after learning braille.
As for voice commands, occasionally I'll use Siri in MacOS for a quick computation, but it's very rare. I just stick with my screen reader navigation and interaction skills. On my iPhone, I'll use Siri quite a bit to make calls, set calendar events, general personal assistant use. As a client of the Lighthouse for the Blind here in San Francisco, all the blind people I'oue met are trained to use the screen reader first, then offered voice commands, but all tend to stick to screen reader interaction for daily use.
As for voice commands, occasionally I'll use Siri in MacOS for a quick computation, but it's very rare. I just stick with my screen reader navigation and interaction skills. On my iPhone, I'll use Siri quite a bit to make calls, set calendar events, general personal assistant use. As a client of the Lighthouse for the Blind here in San Francisco, all the blind people I'oue met are trained to use the screen reader first, then offered voice commands, but all tend to stick to screen reader interaction for daily use.
solar-cabin [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Thanks Marconius!
bscross32 1 points 4y ago
That's Dragon Naturally Speaking, or using WSR (windows speech recognition). I just use Gmail.
[deleted] 1 points 4y ago
I have Outlook, Gmail, and Aol. I don't use voice commands.
solar-cabin [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Thanks, it will work with Gmail.
I will have to try it with outlook.
I will have to try it with outlook.
bradley22 1 points 4y ago
I use thunderbird and no,I don’t use a speech to text program.
solar-cabin [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Thanks, I will have to test the program to see if it will work through Firefox and Thunderbird.
It is designed for Chrome at present.
It is designed for Chrome at present.
bradley22 1 points 4y ago
No problem.
dmazzoni 1 points 4y ago
I've never heard of an email program that has its own voice control.
On a computer, blind people don't use voice control any more than anyone else does. They type on a normal keyboard, or sometimes a Braille keyboard, and their screen reader reads it back to them as they type.
On a phone, you can do the same thing - the keyboard is accessible. You can also use Siri or Google to send a message or email, or use built-in speech recognition to dictate into any text field, including an email.
All of that works with any email account with almost any email app.
On a computer, blind people don't use voice control any more than anyone else does. They type on a normal keyboard, or sometimes a Braille keyboard, and their screen reader reads it back to them as they type.
On a phone, you can do the same thing - the keyboard is accessible. You can also use Siri or Google to send a message or email, or use built-in speech recognition to dictate into any text field, including an email.
All of that works with any email account with almost any email app.
solar-cabin [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Hi, actually you can use the built in microsoft speech recognition on any windows 10 computer to enter and read text to emails or for any document production.
Type "speech recognition" in to your computer speech box and it will take you to the set up.
Type "speech recognition" in to your computer speech box and it will take you to the set up.
bscross32 2 points 4y ago
If my environment is set up right, like good keyboard, good posture, not too cold, I can type about as fast as someone talks. I have no need of dictation software.
CloudyBeep 1 points 4y ago
Just because it's there doesn't mean we use it. I never dictate because 1) I have greater accuracy typing, and 2) I don't want others to know what I'm writing.
solar-cabin [OP] 1 points 4y ago
That's good that you can type. I am sighted and suck at typing.
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