Use Accessibility Tools and Software: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "= Use Accessibility Tools and Software = Accessibility tools can enhance your digital experience by supporting various needs, such as reading text aloud, converting speech to text, and more. This guide covers key accessibility features across popular platforms, as well as useful library resources and tools for academic support. == Text-to-Speech Tools == Text-to-speech tools read on-screen text aloud, making it easier to consume information without needing to read dire...")
 
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= Use Accessibility Tools and Software =
= Use Accessibility Tools and Software =


Accessibility tools can enhance your digital experience by supporting various needs, such as reading text aloud, converting speech to text, and more. This guide covers key accessibility features across popular platforms, as well as useful library resources and tools for academic support.
Accessibility tools can help with reading text aloud, converting speech to text, and more. This guide covers key accessibility features across popular platforms, as well as useful library resources and tools for academic support.


== Text-to-Speech Tools ==
== Text-to-Speech Tools ==
Line 7: Line 7:


=== macOS ===
=== macOS ===
* macOS offers **VoiceOver**, a screen reader that speaks items on the screen and provides descriptions of what is happening.
macOS offers '''''Voice Over''''', a screen reader that speaks items on the screen and provides descriptions of what is happening.
* To enable text-to-speech:
 
  1. Go to **Apple Menu** > **System Preferences** > **Accessibility**.
To enable text-to-speech:
  2. Select **Spoken Content** and customize options for spoken text.
 
* For more details, refer to Apple’s guide on [having your Mac speak text that’s on the screen](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/have-your-mac-speak-text-thats-on-the-screen-mh27448/mac).
# Go to '''''Apple Menu''''' > '''''System Preferences''''' > '''''Accessibility'''''
# Select '''''Spoken Content''''' and customize options for spoken text
 
For more details, refer to Apple’s guide on [https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/have-your-mac-speak-text-thats-on-the-screen-mh27448/mac having your Mac speak text that’s on the screen].


=== Windows ===
=== Windows ===
* **Narrator** is Windows’ built-in screen reader, which provides text-to-speech for reading on-screen items.
'''''Narrator''''' is Windows’ built-in screen reader, which provides text-to-speech for reading on-screen items. To enable Narrator:
* To enable Narrator:
 
  1. Open **Settings** > **Ease of Access** > **Narrator**.
# Open '''''Settings''''' > '''''Ease of Access''''' > '''''Narrator'''''
  2. Customize Narrator settings based on your preferences.
# Customize '''''Narrator''''' settings based on your preferences
* For full instructions, visit [Microsoft's Narrator support page](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/chapter-1-introducing-narrator-7fe8fd72-541f-4536-7658-bfc37ddaf9c6).
 
For full instructions, visit '''''Microsoft's Narrator support page'''''.


=== iPad ===
=== iPad ===
* iPads support **VoiceOver** and **Speak Screen** to read text aloud.
iPads support '''''Voice Over''''' and '''''Speak Screen''''' to read text aloud. To enable this:
* To activate:
 
  1. Go to **Settings** > **Accessibility** > **VoiceOver** or **Spoken Content**.
# Go to '''''Settings''''' > '''''Accessibility''''' > '''''Voice Over''''' or '''''Spoken Content'''''
  2. Turn on **Speak Screen** and swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to have text read aloud.
# Turn on '''''Speak Screen''''' and swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to have text read aloud
* For more details, see [Apple’s iPad accessibility guide](https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/hear-whats-on-the-screen-or-typed-ipad9a247097/ipados).
 
For more details, see [https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/hear-whats-on-the-screen-or-typed-ipad9a247097/ipados Apple’s iPad accessibility guide].


=== Chromebook ===
=== Chromebook ===
* Chromebooks offer **Select-to-Speak** for reading selected text aloud.
Chromebooks offer '''''Select-to-Speak''''' for reading selected text aloud. To enable this:
* To activate:
 
  1. Open **Settings** > **Advanced** > **Accessibility** > **Manage Accessibility Features**.
# Open '''''Settings''''' > '''''Advanced''''' > '''''Accessibility''''' > '''''Manage Accessibility Features'''''
  2. Enable **Select-to-Speak** and follow prompts to select text for playback.
# Enable '''''Select-to-Speak''''' and follow prompts to select text for playback
* More information is available on [Google’s Chromebook accessibility page](https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9032490?hl=en).
 
More information is available on [https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9032490?hl=en Google’s Chromebook accessibility page].


== Speech-to-Text Tools ==
== Speech-to-Text Tools ==

Revision as of 14:45, 4 November 2024

Use Accessibility Tools and Software

Accessibility tools can help with reading text aloud, converting speech to text, and more. This guide covers key accessibility features across popular platforms, as well as useful library resources and tools for academic support.

Text-to-Speech Tools

Text-to-speech tools read on-screen text aloud, making it easier to consume information without needing to read directly. This can be helpful for users with visual impairments, dyslexia, or those who prefer auditory learning.

macOS

macOS offers Voice Over, a screen reader that speaks items on the screen and provides descriptions of what is happening.

To enable text-to-speech:

  1. Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Accessibility
  2. Select Spoken Content and customize options for spoken text

For more details, refer to Apple’s guide on having your Mac speak text that’s on the screen.

Windows

Narrator is Windows’ built-in screen reader, which provides text-to-speech for reading on-screen items. To enable Narrator:

  1. Open Settings > Ease of Access > Narrator
  2. Customize Narrator settings based on your preferences

For full instructions, visit Microsoft's Narrator support page.

iPad

iPads support Voice Over and Speak Screen to read text aloud. To enable this:

  1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Over or Spoken Content
  2. Turn on Speak Screen and swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to have text read aloud

For more details, see Apple’s iPad accessibility guide.

Chromebook

Chromebooks offer Select-to-Speak for reading selected text aloud. To enable this:

  1. Open Settings > Advanced > Accessibility > Manage Accessibility Features
  2. Enable Select-to-Speak and follow prompts to select text for playback

More information is available on Google’s Chromebook accessibility page.

Speech-to-Text Tools

Speech-to-text tools allow users to dictate text rather than typing, which can be beneficial for users with physical disabilities or those who find typing challenging.

macOS

  • macOS provides **Dictation**, a feature that converts spoken words into text.
  • To use:
 1. Go to **Apple Menu** > **System Preferences** > **Keyboard** > **Dictation**.
 2. Enable **Dictation** and start speaking when prompted.

Windows

  • Windows includes **Voice Typing**, allowing users to convert speech into text.
  • To activate:
 1. Press **Windows key + H** to open the voice typing tool.
 2. Start speaking, and the text will appear on the screen.

iPad

  • On the iPad, **Dictation** allows users to speak text instead of typing.
  • To activate:
 1. Tap the **Microphone** icon on the on-screen keyboard.
 2. Begin speaking to have your words converted into text.

Chromebook

  • Chromebooks have a **Dictation** tool for converting speech to text.
  • To enable:
 1. Open **Settings** > **Advanced** > **Accessibility** > **Manage Accessibility Features**.
 2. Turn on **Dictation** to use speech-to-text.

Read & Write Extension (Chrome)

The **Read & Write** extension for Google Chrome offers comprehensive accessibility features such as text-to-speech, word prediction, and tools for Google Docs and web content.

  • To install:
 1. Visit the [Read & Write extension page](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/readwrite-for-google-chro/inoeonmfapjbbkmdafoankkfajkcphgd?hl=en-US).
 2. Click **Add to Chrome** and follow the prompts to install.
  • This tool is useful for students and faculty who need additional reading and writing support while using Chrome.

Library Resources

Riverdale’s library resources include tools for research, note-taking, and citation management that can assist in academic work:

Additional Support

For further assistance with accessibility tools or library resources, reach out to the IT department or the library staff. They can provide personalized guidance on using these tools effectively for your educational needs.