Whilst most screen readers work by having a synthetic voice that reads text aloud, others can also communicate data via a refreshable braille display. While the most basic screen readers will not help blind users navigate a computer, those with additional features can give people with visual impairment much more independence. Simply put, a screen reader transmits whatever text is displayed on the computer screen into a form that a visually impaired user can process (usually tactile, auditory or a combination of both).

Essential Software: A Screen ReaderĪ screen reader is an essential piece of software for a blind or visually impaired person. Now a range of software is available that can help to make using a computer an easier, more enjoyable and more productive experience for blind or visually impaired users.įor in-depth insights on accessibility, we recommend the online course on Accessibility at the Interaction Design Foundation. Just close your eyes and you will instantly experience that even processing text is impossible - or impossible without additional software at least.

It is not difficult for a sighted person to imagine how being blind or visually impaired could make using a computer difficult.

Blind accessibility screen reader