NVDA <\/a>screenreader of 2015. The unimaginative yet descriptive title of NVDA 2015.1 can\u2019t lead you astray.\u00a0 If you are running an even slightly recent version, you\u2019ll be prompted to update when you next start the application.<\/p>\nThere are several great new features in this release.\u00a0 Most exciting to me\u2014the ability to read MS Word files in \u201cBrowse mode.\u201d\u00a0 This causes a document to respond much like a webpage.\u00a0 All of the quick navigation commands (such as pressing \u201ch\u201d for the next heading) as well as all of the others familiar \u201cbrowse mode\u201d features seem to work as expected.\u00a0 Messages in Outlook also start in \u201cbrowse mode\u201d automatically.\u00a0 \u00a0There are several other features, like improved performance in Internet Explorer and Skype. NVDA is certainly starting off the year on the right foot.<\/p>\n
For those who may be unfamiliar with NVDA, it is a free and open-source screen reader for Windows OS.\u00a0 For some years now, it has been a very respectable alternative to other costly screen reading systems like Jaws For Windows.\u00a0 In fact, NVDA works well enough that paying hundreds of dollars for another package becomes hard to justify unless you need a specific feature.\u00a0 Many point to remote access as one of these features, though this may soon be a reality for NVDA users as well.<\/p>\n
MDTAP also recommends NVDA for testing websites for non-visual accessibility.\u00a0 The price is right, and the installation couldn\u2019t be easier.\u00a0 If the free voices aren\u2019t to your liking, there are many paid alternatives available.\u00a0 NVDA can also use the voices which come with MS Windows. Each successive version ships with higher and higher \u00a0quality voices, so try them out before breaking out your chest full of hard-earned sheckles.<\/p>\n
If you find NVDA to your liking, consider \u00a0donating to their project.\u00a0 A \u201cDonate\u201d menu option is provided directly within NVDA.<\/p>\n
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