RE: I need a computer with a friendly Unix-based user operatingsystem!

["Gregg Vanderheiden" <gv trace wisc edu>]

Hi all,

I think the name of the new Apple Screen reader is "VoiceOver"  thought the
control panel to turn it on and off is labeled "Spoken Interface"  On/ Off.

Details are pasted below from their announcement.

 
Gregg

 -- ------------------------------ 
Gregg C Vanderheiden Ph.D. 
Professor - Ind. Engr. & BioMed Engr.
Director - Trace R & D Center 
University of Wisconsin-Madison 


Introducing VoiceOver, the spoken interface for Mac OS X. The Universal
Access capabilities of Mac OS X will soon be enhanced to provide a new way
to access the Macintosh through speech, audible cues and keyboard
navigation.

Talk to Me

The Universal Access capabilities of Mac OS X provide equal access for
everyone to the power and simplicity of the Macintosh. Now they're enhanced
to include VoiceOver, a spoken interface for those with visual and learning
disabilities. VoiceOver is a fully integrated, built-in enhancement to the
Mac OS X Aqua user interface, providing an additional and equal way to
access the Macintosh. It reads aloud the contents of documents such as Web
pages, Mail messages and word processing files. It provides a comprehensive
audible description of your workspace and all the activities taking place on
your computer. And it includes a rich set of keyboard commands that allow
you to navigate the Mac OS X interface and interact with application and
system controls. If you or someone you are assisting has visual or learning
disabilities, you'll appreciate how VoiceOver enhances the rich set of
Universal Access features in Mac OS X to ensure equal access for everyone.



Not Bolted On

Mac OS X VoiceOver delivers many of the features found in traditional,
add-on screen reader applications with one important difference - VoiceOver
is completely integrated into Mac OS X, unlike traditional screen reader
applications that are designed as bolted-on afterthoughts. VoiceOver
provides an unprecedented level of built-in accessibility for a Desktop
operating system. The advantages are tremendous: No separate installation,
wide availability and one simple set of commands to learn and use. And,
because it's part of the operating system, you get access to the latest
technology without delay.

Easy to Learn and Use

Since VoiceOver is built right into the operating system, it works together
with all of the key commands and shortcuts you already know. There are also
additional keyboard commands to allow you to direct and control VoiceOver.
The keyboard commands remain the same no matter which application you are
using, so you can focus on the task at hand and not the tool you are using.
For those of you upgrading for the first time from Mac OS 9 to Mac OS X,
you'll find learning to use VoiceOver quite transparent as you learn and
explore the great new features of the Mac OS X interface.

Complete Keyboard Navigation and Control

To drive the spoken interface, you'll use the keyboard instead of the mouse.
You can choose any combination of keyboard commands and shortcuts you prefer
and can even take advantage of Apple's full keyboard access option. Full
keyboard access extends your ability to navigate to items such as the Dock,
menu bar, window tool bars and palettes. You can direct VoiceOver using a
new feature called the viewfinder, a powerful tool that lets you control
what is spoken and enables you to interact with items on the screen using
only your keyboard. You can press buttons, drag sliders, enable and disable
check boxes, select radio buttons, drag, scroll bars and many other
on-screen controls.

User-adjustable Voices and Speech Rates

You can use a single voice for every spoken description or assign unique
voices to the six different types of information VoiceOver can provide. This
helps you distinguish by voice alone, whether you're listening to commands,
content, item descriptions, item types, spoken menus or echoed text. You can
also personalize each voice to your liking by adjusting its pitch, speech
rate and volume. You can adjust speech rate dynamically even while VoiceOver
is speaking, so you can increase the speed to skim large text documents very
quickly or slow it down to savor every detail. 

Enables Learning Through Exploration

One of the characteristics of Mac OS X is that you can learn it through
exploration - you don't have to read a manual. Similarly, you can learn
VoiceOver by exploration and use it to explore your computer's workspace.
Items are spoken as you navigate the interface and you can inspect the
details of any item simply by pressing a key. Function keys F1 through F4
are preprogrammed as orientation keys, providing you quick and easy access
to descriptions about where you are and what you're doing. Even online help
is spoken, so you can solve problems on your own and learn new features at
your own pace. There's also a spoken contextual menu system so you always
know which commands are available to you. Through VoiceOver menu, you can
configure spoken interface preferences, access commands, learn spoken
interface keyboard shortcuts, reference on-line help and much more.

Universal Access

Apple includes a variety of accessibility features in Mac OS X referred to
collectively as Universal Access. These features enable those with vision,
hearing and motor skills disabilities to more easily use the Macintosh
computer. These features, including VoiceOver, are designed to work together
and in combination to address the unique needs of every user. Universal
access features include zoom view, grayscale, black on white (inverted
display), sticky keys, mouse keys, slow keys and more.

Promotes Collaboration

The Apple spoken interface is designed to be completely transparent, working
the same way the Macintosh works today so you can collaborate seamlessly
using the same computer with those who are sighted. By using the same
applications, in the same way, with the same shortcuts and the same
commands, you can work together naturally with no artificial barriers. In
fact, keyboard controls have been added so you can interact with purely
visual elements, enabling you to work with sighted users the way they're
used to working. So, for example, you can scroll text, adjust window
splitters, drag, scroll and resize windows.

Compatible with a Variety of Applications

Apple is providing open, well-documented programming guidelines to
developers so they can more easily enhance the accessibility of their
applications. Many Mac OS X applications already provide some accessibility.
Those that closely follow Apple's programming guidelines will deliver an
even better accessibility experience.

Apple also welcomes your feedback on its spoken interface technology and
asks you to send us your comments and suggestions.