Screen readers macOS
[Narrator:] In this chapter we will discuss VoiceOver, which is the screen reader built into the macOS operating system. At the time of making this chapter, we are using macOS 10.14, also called Mojave.
Please note that Apple updates and changes their operating system from time to time. So your screens or set of functionalities might look different from the ones described in this course.
VoiceOver offers voices in more than 40 languages. Here are some of them.
VoiceOver configuration
To start VoiceOver, open the System Preferences and select Accessibility. In the left pane, select VoiceOver. From here you will be able to start and stop VoiceOver by activating or deactivating the Enable VoiceOver checkbox.
[Screen reader:] Welcome to macOS. VoiceOver is on. System preferences, Accessibility window, Accessibility features table.
[Narrator:] The access via the keyboard is faster. Press the Command and function 5 key to activate or deactivate VoiceOver.
[Screen reader:] Voiceover on. System preferences, Accessibility window, Accessibility features. VoiceOver off.
[Narrator:] Press the button Open VoiceOver utility to access the different VoiceOver configuration options. General makes it possible to configure some basic configurations, for example the text to be spoken when VoiceOver starts or which key combination to use as the VoiceOver modifier key. Most keyboard commands consist of pressing the VoiceOver modifier key in combination with other keys.
By default, the control and option keys are set as the VoiceOver modifier key. You may configure to use the caps lock key as an alternative. So, whenever we mention the VoiceOver keys, we are referring to this keyboard combination.
By default, VoiceOver speaks a high level of detail to help new Mac and VoiceOver users. By activating the Verbosity pane, you can choose a different setting. You can also choose a verbosity setting for specific items and change the order in which item details are spoken.
Under Speech, we see the different voices, which are installed on our system. Every screen reader needs voices: these enable the software to pronounce words in the correct language. If you want to add an additional language, click the plus option, select the language you want to add and select the voice.
By default, the system uses compact voices, which are relatively small in file size and need no additional download. If you want to use a language more frequently, you might want to install a high-quality voice for better understanding.
In the voice pop-up, select Customise. MacOS will show you all available languages and voices. Check the ones you would like to have.
[Voice sample in a foreign language.]
[Voice sample in a foreign language.]
[Narrator:] Please note that these voices need to be downloaded from the internet. Depending on the number of selected voices, their quality and the speed of your internet connection, it might take some time to download the data.
Once the voices have been downloaded, they are available for use. In the Navigation pane you can customize the behaviour of the VoiceOver cursor and how it interacts with the mouse pointer.
The VoiceOver cursor indicates the current position in a document or application. Depending on your needs, you may fine-tune some options for web navigation with Safari in the Web pane.
The Sound pane offers additional options. Where the system detects multiple audio output devices, you can decide to use a specific audio output device for VoiceOver. Using this, a VoiceOver user might hear the screen reader over the headphones, while other users hear a
different sound signal over external speakers. While VoiceOver is running, it can show the VoiceOver cursor on screen, which is the default behaviour.
[Screen reader:] VoiceOver on. VoiceOver utility, Voiceover utility window. Utility categories table, Visuals. Selected as keyboard focus. You are currently on a table. To enter this table, press Control-Opt... Now in tab Panels and Menus.
[Narrator:] Additionally, the spoken text can be made visible as text or Braille dots.
[Screen reader:] Menu, 3 items, tick Off. You are currently on a menu item. To choose this menu item, press Control-Option-Space. To close this menu, press Escape. Closing menu Utility Categories, table Visuals selected. You are currently on a table. To enter this table, press Control-Option-Shift-Down arrow.
[Narrator:] The Braille version is useful for seeing trainers educating people with visual impairments.
[Screen reader:] Menu, 3 items, tick On. You are currently on a menu item. To choose this menu item, press Control-Option-Space. To close this menu, press Escape. Closing menu. VoiceOver off.
[Narrator:] The lower three panes offer highly specific customisation options, so we will not discuss them here. Feel free to experiment with them to see whether they can enhance your user experience.
VoiceOver training
We are back in the Accessibility control panel. We can start the VoiceOver training. We highly recommend you follow this training to learn some of the basic keyboard commands for using VoiceOver. Let’s see how this works.
[Screen reader:] The VoiceOver. Quick Start. In this Quick Start, you'll learn VoiceOver basics, as well as important VoiceOver commands to help you navigate on your Mac and use apps. You can exit the Quick Start at any time and finish it later. To advance through the Quick Start panels now, to move the VoiceOver cursor, press VoiceOver modifier while pressing the Up, Down, Left or Right arrow key. As the cursor moves, you hear a description of the item it moves to.
On screen, the VoiceOver cursor appears as a rectangular outline around the item. Use VoiceOver now to navigate around the practice area below. When you've finished, continue to the next panel by pressing the Right arrow key. VoiceOver on. VoiceOver Quick Start.
Move around the screen window. Show all comments selected. Radio button. 1 of 2 is keyboard focus. You are currently on a radio... Hide all comments. Radio button, 2 of 2. You a currently on a radio button, 2 of 2. To select this option, press Control-Option-Space. Press hide all comments selected. Radio button, 2 of 2. Settings. Announce alert messages settings unticked.
[Automated voice:] Accessibility. For more information visit: op.europa.eu/en/web/accessibility.