Hi to all. This was forwarded to me from another. Looking at the
description, it appears Apple may have released the Voiceover product. If
so, can anyone on this list confirm or refute the claims made.
To all, take care.
Ted Chittenden
>From: "Joe Harcz" <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Blind Democracy Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>CC: Blind Democracy Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Fw: Apple's new application
>Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2004 13:02:54 -0400
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Gary Wood" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 11:55 AM
>Subject: Apple's new application
>
>
>Hi all. On Main Menu one time, I heard of something that Apple was going
>to
>do, with regards to voice-over applications that will allow blind people to
>be more able to take advantage of the functionality of computers. I think
>you may be interested in this. 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.
>Jim Kelley
>Kurzweil Educational Systems
>K3000 Technical Support
>800.894.5374 xt. 620
>
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