Whilst it is possible to use either format independently, Braille output is commonly used in conjunction with speech output. Each cell can be formed into the shape of a Braille character, a series of dots that are similar to domino dots in their layout.Īs the information on the computer screen changes, so does the Braille characters on the display change, providing refreshable information directly from the computer. A refreshable Braille display contains one or more rows of cells. An external hardware device, known as a refreshable Braille display is needed for this. In addition to speech feedback, screen readers are also capable of providing information in Braille.

Originally, before computers had soundcards, screen readers always used hardware TTS devices, but now that soundcards come as standard on all computers many find that a software TTS is preferable. A TTS may be a software application that comes bundled with the screen reader, or it may be a hardware device that plugs into the computer. There are two ways that this hardware can provide feedback to the user:Ī screen reader uses a Text-To-Speech (TTS) engine to translate on-screen information into speech, which can be heard through earphones or speakers. How does a screen reader relay information to the user?

The device provides access to the entire OS that it works with, including many common applications. Screen readers work closely with the computer’s Operating System (OS) to provide information about icons, menus, dialogue boxes, files and folders. A screen reader is a software application that enables people with severe visual impairments to use a computer.

Windows accessibility screen reader