System+Screen+Readers

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Screen Readers are assisted technology devices used by persons who cannot see or understand the text on a computer. The Screen Reader combines two items: software that identifies and interprets the characters on the computer screen (whether the monitor is present or not) and an output device which relays the information to the user. The output device can be a synthesizer, which digitally vocalizes the information the Screen Reader is sending, or a Braille output device. Screen Readers allow the computer to talk to the visually impaired, learning disabled or illiterate individual, enabling full access to an otherwise complex visual medium. =====

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There is a difference between System Screen Readers and Document Screen Readers (SSR). SSR’s work on the key stroke commands and integrate with operating systems. Document screen readers only read one document at a time, such as a PDF, and do not contain the functionality to move about as the SSR does. (Abrahams, 2006) Types of document screen readers include Adobe Read Aloud and Read-to-Me on the Kindle and Nook. =====

How System Screen Readers work
The user chooses a brand of SSR software and installs it on the computer’s memory, uses it via a jump drive on any computer or accesses it from the internet. The software then interacts with the operating system (OS) and is told what is being currently displayed on the screen via coded language. The programming of the SSR software also includes a synthesizer which works with the computers sound card.

The programming for the synthesizer includes all the phonemes and grammatical rules of the user’s language which allows the digital voice synthesizer to correctly pronounce the information it is receiving from the operating system into words. A Braille device can also be included in the software and hooked up to a Braille machine, which is now an added feature on some keyboard models. Synthesized speech via the SSR can sound very robotic or very human, depending on the brand of SSR purchased. Compound words and names containing unusual spellings and combinations of letters and can prove problematic for the synthesizer to pronounce. (AFB, 2011) As technology advances, SSR synthesizer pronunciation is getting better.

The SSR allows the user to use all aspects of the computer, from the main menu to most installed programs and the Internet. The user communicates with the computer via key strokes. The use of a mouse is not available to the visually impaired user, as they cannot see where on the screen the mouse is. The user sends commands to the synthesizer by pressing various key combinations on the keyboard. (AFB, 2011) This instructs the synthesizer to do many things. Most all SSR's can read a word, line of text or the entire screen. Depending on the brand, and by using different key combination, the SSR will spell a word, find a string of text, give the location of the cursor, locate colored text, read cells in a spread sheet, identify graphics (by labeling them) and read highlighted text. The use of a spell checker is also available in word processing documents. Fully functional models can tell the user what the choices are on the menu and which choice is currently active. They can also move from one menu to another by acting as the mouse or pointing device. As the screen changes on the computer, the SSR software and operating system continue to sync, with the synthesizer relaying the information to the user as it happens. This allows for ease of use and a sense of normalcy for those who need the assistance of the SSR.

How a Visually Impaired person uses a SSR to view the web
A sighted person viewing a web page will most likely see the visuals first. Tabs and buttons are noticed next, along with the general layout of the page (sidebars, title, headings, etc.). Advertisements are noticed and finally additional links. As the sighted person scrolls through the site, all of this is observed quickly, before one block of actual text is read. The sighted person has a pretty good idea whether or not this is the web site needed before they begin to actually read it.

A visually impaired person cannot scan a web page in the same way. Banner advertisements, multi-column layouts, poorly phrased hyperlinks, and unlabeled graphics can turn an elegant and visually appealing site into a navigational nightmare for a SSR. (Heid, 2011) Web content for the SSR user becomes linear and text-based only. (WebAIM, 2011) SSR’s interpret HTML tags, particularly those dealing with hyperlinks, Web forms, and graphics. (Heid, 2011) Website designers who add a lot of eye candy to their web pages, in the hopes of gaining more user visits, are actually losing SSR users. There are an estimated 28,400,000 visually impaired individuals living in developed countries. (WHO, AMS, 2011) This number does not account for the learning disabled and illiterate population that have need of a SSR. With this many users needing accessibility, web designers are encouraged to follow the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3G) Web Accessibility Guidelines, as given below. This ensures that the SSR will be able to navigate effectively through the website. Graphics, tables, advertisements and text can all be used by developers on their web pages, as long as the guidelines are followed. (WebAIM, 2011)

Guidelines for Web Accessibility via a SSR
MSAA’s:  Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA) is a set of programming language enhancements and standards that programmers must follow in order for a Windows Operating System SSR to work effectively.

UAAG’s: The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) is part of the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) commitment to lead the Web to its full potential includes promoting a high degree of usability for people with disabilities. The WAI has a set of User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG’s) that define how web browsers, media players and other Assisted Technology software should operate for maximum benefit**.**

WCAG: <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">(WCAG) are also a part of the W3C. These are the guidelines for web content and authoring developers and other authors on the WWW.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">ATAG: <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG) are part of the W3G and define how authoring tools should help Web developers produce Web content that is accessible and conforms to the WCAG. This includes, but is not limited to, CSS formatting, blogs, wikis and social networking sites.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">When websites use the WCAG and ATAG guidelines, and user agents are UAAG conformant, the chances of users’ having an accessible web browsing experience are greatly increased.” (Howell, 2011) All the guidelines can be found on the WebAIM website.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Here are links to websites that give great advice on how to make a web page accessible. <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Create a Barrier Free Web Site <span class="wiki_link_ext" style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Rough Guide: browsers, operating systems and screen reader support <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What Should a Screen Reader Do? <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Determining Factors in Choosing a SSR
<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">There are several factors that will determine an individual’s choice of screen reader, with cost being the predominant factor. Type of computer use, ease of use and functionality also play a large role in choice.


 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Cost **

//<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Free //

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Many operating systems have some form of screen reader use built in for free. Each uses a different type of command structure and voice synthesizer. Other SSR's are available online for free. They are usable from any computer with a Windows OS and do not require a download. While most free SSR's are not as functional as their pricier counterparts, they are designed so anyone in need of an SSR can use most any computer without having to load any additional software.

For Mac OS X
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">//Voice Over// is now included on all computers as well as the iPod Shuffle and iPod Nano. This is the only SSR available for Mac OS X systems.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">For Windows OS
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">//Windows Navigator// has been included with Microsoft Windows since their Windows 2000 release.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">//Non Visual Desktop Access (NVDA)// is now available for the Windows OS from NV Access for free.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">//System Access To Go (SATOGO)// from Serotek is a free software program accessible through the internet and used with Internet Explorer. It is intended for quick use when the users’ personal SRR is not available.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">//WebAnywhere// was developed at the <span class="wiki_link_ext">University of Washington’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering and is funded by a National Science Foundation Grant. It is a free online software program accessible through the internet. It is intended for quick use when the users’ personal SSR is not available.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">//Emacspeak, Yasr, BRLTTY// and //Speakup// are all available with the open source Linux OS.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> //Orca// is provided with GNOME desktop, Open Solaris, openSUSE and Ubuntu, all open source OS's.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">//Thunder// was developed by Communication for Blind People, Ltd. (London) and funded with support from the European Commission.

//<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Not Free //

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">For Windows OS
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">//Ibsar Screen Reader//: Ibsar Screen Reader and OCR: Arabic and English Computing Solution for the Visually Impaired...$3,480.00
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">//System Access Surfboard//…$1,495.00 – $1,999.00 minicomputer in a keyboard that has System Access installed and connects to any modem or DSL for easy access most anywhere
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">//JAWS//…$1,095.00
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">//Window-Eyes Professional//...$895.00 - $1,150.00
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">//J-Say Pro//…$827.50
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">//SuperNova// by Dolphin …$795.00
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">//Dolphin Pen//…$390.00-$1,590.00 depending on configuration
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">//System Access//…$399.00-$499.00 software only

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Evaluation Questions when Purchasing an SSR

 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What version of Windows Operating System is being used and is the SSR compatible?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Are there standard system configurations with which the screen reader does not work (color schemes, common video cards, etc.)?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Is there synthesizer software included? If not, what synthesizers are/are not supported?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Are there applications the user needs to utilize that are not compatible with the SSR?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Can the amount of automatic speech during standard Windows functions be adjusted to suit the user's skill level and preferences?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">How difficult is it to change simple standard features such as voice rate or the choice of a reading key?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What must the user do in order to make the SSR work well enough to be usable?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What useful and unique features does the SSR have?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What problems does the SSR add to Windows use? (Blogs and Forum reviews are a good source of information from past users.)
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Is the manual accessible, accurate and easy to understand?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Are the start-up directions separate from the manual?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Is there a tutorial in a usable format?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Does the SSR differentiate current text from essential but additional text?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Does the SSR label the graphics?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Does the SSR read PDF documents?

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Questions courtesy of the American Foundation for the Blind, 2011.

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<span class="long-title" style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The Digital Divide: Web Accessibility for People with Visual Impairments in the UK and China =====

<span class="long-title" style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Accessibility and Professional Web Design
<span class="long-title" style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What is the W3C standard? <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">You Tube is inaccessible to Screen Reader users

= = =<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Visually Impaired Individuals in Developed Countries =

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">How many individuals might actually be using screen readers, whether SSR's or Document Screen Readers? <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">This is not an easy question to answer. Because so many of the screen readers are usable from any computer connected to the internet, or come pre-loaded on a device, there is no way to measure their use. However, looking at census statistics we can get an idea of the total number of individuals with some form of vision impairment. While this does not have any bearing on the total number of screen readers used, it does open ones eyes to the need for such software.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The definition for Visual impairment is, "the consequence of a functional loss of vi<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">sion " and includes partially sighted, low vision, legally blind and totally blind. (NICHCY, 2004)

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there are 284 million visually impaired people worldwide. WHO also states 90% of those individuals reside in developing countries while only 10% reside in the world's developed countries. (WHO, 2011) There is an estimated 1 billion people living in developed countries. (NYT, 2008) That leaves 28,400,000 visually impaired individuals living in developed countries, such as the United States and Japan. This means 2.84% of the total population of these developed countries has some form of vision impairment. Because these countries are developed, we can assume they have reasonable access to computers and the internet, and therefore, need the use of a SSR or Document Screen Reader.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Individuals with vision impairments are not the only users of screen readers. The above numbers do not account for the learning disabled individuals, elderly and illiterate individuals that may be using a screen reader as well.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">References
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