Handy Tech
Elektronik GmbH
Modular Evolution
Operating a PC with a Screen reader
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Operating a PC with a Screen reader
The so-called screen reader programs' task is to output the information displayed on
a PC monitor screen, converting it into speech and Braille for blind users. The
Modular Evolution serves to display the Braille information. Since only a small portion
of the actual screen contents can be displayed on a Braille line, the screen reader
must also be capable of only relaying the most relevant information in any given
situation to the Braille display system.
All of the screen readers currently on the market relay only focused Windows-
information when they are operating. For example, if a menu item is highlighted in
any Windows menu, that menu item is displayed on the Braille line by default. If you
move the Windows-focus up or down with the arrow keys, these changes will
automatically be forwarded to the Braille display as well.
In any editable text field, the cursor is usually represented on the Braille display in the
corresponding position as the blinking dots 7 and 8. If the cursor moves past the
portion of the screen that is displayed on the Braille display while writing text, the
Braille display content advances automatically. The reading keys, [TRD] for forward
and [TLU] for back, enable you to move through the text regardless of the position of
the cursor. By activating one of the cursor routing keys, the PC cursor can be placed
at that text position. If you want to return to the cursor's position after moving around
with [TLU] and [TRD], you can in most cases do this by pressing [7]/[B1], or by
moving the cursor with the arrow keys. Any marked text, which is displayed on the
monitor by highlighting, is represented on the Braille line through underlining with
dots 7 and 8.
In general, the information spoken by the speech output may not be identical to the
data shown on the Braille display. For example: When quitting Microsoft Word with
"Save As…", the speech output will say the text "Do you want to save the changes
you made to 'file name'?" followed by the buttons "Don't Save", "Cancel", and "Save".
The Braille display will only show the button names. By activating one of the cursor
routing keys above any of the button names, that button can be clicked. However,
you can also display the other text in the dialog box on the Braille display by using
the [TRD] and [TLU] keys.
The Modular Evolution is supported by various screen readers, including:
JAWS
Hal/SuperNova (Dolphin Systems)
Window-Eyes
The current driver for your screen reader is provided on the program CD included in
your package.
