What is a Screen Reader and where can I find one?

What is a Screen Reader and where can I find one?

A screen reader is a software application that attempts to identify and interpret what is being displayed on the screen (or, more accurately, sent to standard output, whether a video monitor is present or not). This interpretation is then re-presented to the user with text-to-speech, sound icons, or a Braille output device. Screen readers are a form of assistive technology (AT) potentially useful to people who are blind, visually impaired, illiterate or learning disabled, often in combination with other AT, such as screen magnifiers. (Reference: Screen Reader? - Wikipedia)

There are various screen readers available for grab depending on the OS of your device. Most of these are built-in and are free of charge whereas some are designed for commercial use and can cost up to a few hundred dollars (prices based on the date of this article). Here is a list of the most commonly used screen readers:

Desktop Computers and Laptops

Windows

•   JAWS - Free Trial, Purchase cost: $895 - $1095
•   Non Visual Desktop Access (NVDA) - Free
•   SuperNova - Free Trial, Purchase cost: $795 + upgrades
•   Window-Eyes - 90-Day Evaluation: $39, Purchase cost: $895
•   Serotek Accessibility Anywhere - Free

Mac

•   Voiceover - Built-in and free

Linux

•   Orca - Free and Open Source
•   BRLTTY - Free
•   Emacspeak - Free

Mobile Phones

iOS

•   Voiceover - Built-in and free

Android

•   Talkback - Built-in and free. Available on Google Play

Windows

•   Narrator - Built-in and free

Blackberry

•   BlackBerry Screen Reader - Built-in and free

Browser Plugins

•   WebAnywhere - Free
•   ChromeVox (Google Chrome) - Free
•   ChromeVis (Google Chrome) - Free
•   Screen Reader Simulator (Firefox) - Free

For a list of more screen readers, read List of Screen Readers.

Created: 7 December, 2014