Screen Reader Training

Screen readers are assistive technologies that allow people who are blind or have low vision to access digital content. They read text aloud, describe elements on the screen, and help users navigate websites, documents, and applications. 

This page is designed to support faculty, students, and campus partners who want to better understand how screen readers work. The goal is to make it easier to create and teach with accessible materials, and to give learners the confidence to use this technology in different settings.

 

JAWS

JAWS (Job Access With Speech) is one of the most widely used screen readers. It allows people who are blind or have low vision to navigate Windows computers, read documents, browse the web, and interact with digital course content.

This page provides step-by-step guidance, practice activities, and resources for learning JAWS. Whether you are a faculty member testing course accessibility or a student beginning to use JAWS, these instructions will help you get started.

NVDA

NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free, open-source screen reader for Windows. It allows people who are blind or have low vision to navigate computers, read documents, and browse the web without using a mouse. NVDA is lightweight, frequently updated, and widely used in education because of its accessibility and cost-free licensing.

Voice Over

VoiceOver is a screen reader built into all Apple devices, including Mac computers, iPhones, and iPads. Unlike JAWS or NVDA, it does not require separate installation as it comes pre-installed and can be enabled through system settings or shortcut commands.

VoiceOver allows people who are blind or have low vision to interact with apps, documents, and web content using keyboard commands (on Mac) or touch gestures (on iOS). Many students prefer VoiceOver because it is integrated into their devices and supports both speech and braille output.

    • Enable VoiceOver on Mac (macOS)
      • Shortcut: Command + F5 (or Fn + Command + F5 on some keyboards).
      • Settings: System Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver.
      • Navigation: Use the Control + Option (VO) keys with arrow keys to move through content.
    • Enable VoiceOver on iPhone/iPad (iOS/iPadOS)
      • Shortcut: Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver or ask Siri by saying “Turn on VoiceOver.”
      • Navigation: Use swipe gestures (left/right to move between items, double-tap to select, three-finger swipe to scroll).

  • The following modules include step-by-step VoiceOver lessons for both iOS and Mac.

    Explore the full training material website here: VoiceOver Training Module

Microsoft Narrator

Narrator is a built-in screen reader that comes with all Windows computers. Unlike JAWS or NVDA, it does not require a separate installation, it can be turned on quickly with a simple keyboard shortcut. Narrator is often used by beginners, by students who don’t have access to commercial screen readers, or as a backup tool when testing accessibility.

Audience
Faculty
Students