Access to Mac OS X for Users With Vision Impairments: Multiple Perspectives on VisioVoice
By Buchanan, Ricky; Homiak, Cheryl; Niemeijer, David; Robertson, Anne; Closing the Gap, Vol. 26, No. 5Publication Date: December/January 2008
Overview of VisioVoice, a screen reader for the Mac OS X computer. VisioVoice provides features complementary to the built-in zoom and screen reader, VoiceOver, of Mac OS X. For mouse and full keyboard access users, it provides a talking interface, typing, echo, text and image zoom windows, and a large cursor. It features a document and selection reader accessible to all, including blind users, with export to audio files and iTunes, and thus iPod and iPhone. It includes a license for a language of choice for the Infovox iVox voices developed by the Acapela Group; the voices are available in 16 languages and also work with VoiceOver. The article includes reviews of VisioVoice by a blind English/French translator, a user with low vision who integrates use of the software by switching between reading and listening, and a blind user whose primary use of VisioVoice is for reading files and converting files from written format to audio. A resource list including prices, accessories and informational websites for Mac users is appended.
Assistive Products Discussed: MAC OS X VERSION 10.2 JAGUAR
VISIOVOICE
INFOVOX IVOX
Published by: Closing the Gap, Inc. (Website:http://www.closingthegap.com)
