Assistive Technolgies
Screen Readers
JAWS
JAWS for Windows is a powerful accessibility solution that reads information on your screen using synthesized speech. JAWS provides many useful commands that make it easier to use programs, edit documents, and read Web pages. With a refreshable braille display, JAWS can also provide braille output in addition to, or instead of, speech.
Freedom Scientific provides a free download for JAWS 40 minute mode. Your computer must be restarted to use JAWS again after the 40 minutes have expired.
Freedom Scientific also provides a list of JAWS keystrokes.
Window-Eyes
Window-Eyes is available for Windows 2000, Windows XP (Home, Professional, and Media Center), Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista (all 32-bit versions, including Vista Ultimate, Vista Home Premium, Vista Home Basic, Vista Business, and Vista Enterprise).
Window-Eyes gives total control over what you hear and how you hear it. Plus, with its enhanced Braille support that control is extended to what you feel as well. Most applications work right out of the box with no need for endless tinkering in order to get them to function properly.
GW Mirco provides a free download of a 30 minute demo. You will need to reboot for an additional 30 minutes.
VoiceOver
VoiceOver, (Apple operating system 10.4 and later) is intended to provide those who are blind, have low vision, or learning difficulties the ability to use a Macintosh. It’s perfect for those who have never used a computer or screen reader before. With VoiceOver, you can create and edit word processing documents, send e-mail and browse the World Wide Web and even play chess.
Speech Recognition Software
Dragon NaturallySpeaking
With Dragon NaturallySpeaking you can talk to your computer and watch words quickly appear in documents, e-mails, instant messages and even surf the web simply by speaking.
Refreshable Braille Displays
An assistive device that turns information into raised Braille characters electromechanically, by raising small pins up through holes in a plate, which can be sensed by users placing their fingers on the plate.