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Screen Readers - The Survival of the Strong

By Petty, Linda; Closing the Gap, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 6-10
Publication Date: June/July 2005

Article discusses the history and advancements in screen reader technology, and highlights the three most widely used programs: (1) Window-Eyes 5.0 Professional from G.W. Micro, Incorporated, (2) JAWS for Windows 6.0 from Freedom Scientific, and (3) HAL by Dolphin Computer Access. The history of screen reader technology is presented, and these products are discussed in terms of ten criteria and features: (1) product and company information, (2) contact information, (3) system requirements, (4) language support/speech synthesis, (5) Braille support, (6) installation and training, (7) ease of use with major application, (8) compatibility with remote terminal applications, (9) compatibility with other assistive technologies, and (10) cost. The authors also include more simple and inexpensive options, including IBM Home Page Reader, Connect Outloud from Freedom Scientific, and a free talking browser from EconoNet International, Incorporated.

Assistive Products Discussed: CONNECT OUTLOUD
HOME PAGE READER FOR WINDOWS
HAL SCREEN READER
WINDOW-EYES PROFESSIONAL
JAWS FOR WINDOWS
Published by: Closing the Gap, Inc.   (Website:http://www.closingthegap.com)
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