Screen Readers

Introduction - What are Screen Readers?

Screen readers are software or devices which use text and code to verbally describe what is on the screen. Screen readers are frequently used by users who are blind or low-vision and screen readers might also help users with dyslexia, ADHD, motor control difficulties, or who process information more efficiently aurally or with a combination of audio and visual. There are several free options available with various levels of robustness; in addition, MSU Denver community members can access some premium screen reader software. Proactive instructional accessibility helps screen reader users, and also users using their vision, by building structured and easily navigable course materials.

List of Various Screen Reader Options

Free Screen Reader Options

• Apple VoiceOver.
  • iPhone and iPad – Settings, Accessibility, VoiceOver.
  • Mac – Apple menu, System Settings, Accessibility, VoiceOver.
  • Apple website – Accessibility, Vision (external link).
  • Apple website – Accessibility, Hearing (external link).
• Windows – NVDA Screen Reader (external) . A free open source screen reader.
• Android – device dependent; check Device Settings, Accessibility.
  • Google Assistant can also be turned on to read out loud.
• Microsoft Word Read Aloud – in Review tab.
• Adobe Acrobat Read Out Loud – in top menu bar: View, Read Out Loud.

Licensed for MSU Denver Community

• JAWS Screen Reader by Freedom Scientific.
  • Installed on devices in the MSU Denver student computer labs.
  • Can be installed for personal computers checked out from ITS through the MSU Denver Software Center apps; look for the “Freedom Scientific” app.
  • Works best when connected to one of MSU Denver’s secure networks (wired campus network, the “MSU Denver” secure wireless network, and the GlobalProtect remote access service). If you do not already have GlobalProtect access, you can request access through an ITS ticket .
• Read&Write by Texthelp. A literacy support tool with text-to-speech capabilities, text and picture dictionaries, and (for Windows users) a speech-to-text tool.
  • Installed on devices in the MSU Denver student computer labs.
  • Can be installed for personal computers for all MSU Denver students.
• As JAWS and Read&Write are institutionally licensed, access through MSU Denver will cease once someone is no longer affiliated with MSU Denver (i.e. graduated, left position, or otherwise no longer affiliated).

Guidelines and Considerations when Creating Course Content

Creating course content that is accessible for screen reader users also benefits users using their vision by ensuring documents and Canvas pages have programmatically determinable (i.e. screen reader software can read and interpret) structure and styles. Some tips with links to our step-by-step instruction pages are in the list below.

• Create programmatically determinable structure with proper heading structure.
  • Structure in Microsoft Word is created by using Styles.
  • Structure on Canvas pages is available in the Rich Text Editor or with HTML tagging.
• Use the programmatically determinable strong and emphasis styles instead of bold and italic.
  • Strong and Emphasis in Word are created by using Styles.
  • Canvas automatically uses strong and emphasis; no extra work needed!
• Images must have alt-text (or be marked as decorative if they provide no contextual value).
  • Guidelines for writing alt-text .