Accessibility

VoiceOver

To make it easier for the blind and those with low vision to use a computer, Apple has built a solution into every Mac. Called VoiceOver, it’s cost-effective, reliable, simple to learn and enjoyable to use.

VoiceOver Downloads

What makes VoiceOver so unique? Learn just a few commands and you can use it with many applications. To get started learning VoiceOver, use the built-in Quick Start tutorial, go through the keyboard practice exercises and review the online help. You can also download additional training materials: the “VoiceOver Getting Started” manual for Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (available in electronic braille, PDF and audio MP3 formats), the VoiceOver Commands Chart and the Accessibility in Action video presentation.

VoiceOver Getting Started for Mac OS v10.5 X Leopard

A comprehensive, 110-page guide to using VoiceOver with Mac OS X Leopard, “VoiceOver Getting Started” is organized into ten chapters and includes a VoiceOver commands appendix. You can read the chapters in any order, but if you are new to Mac OS X and VoiceOver, reading them in order will help you build on knowledge gained in previous chapters.

Chapter Overview

Chapter 1: “Introduction.” This chapter explains what VoiceOver is, tells you what you need to start using it and describes the tools and learning aids you can use.

Chapter 2: “Introduction to Mac OS X.” This chapter introduces you to the basic features of Mac OS X, information that will help you use VoiceOver more effectively. It includes a description of the screen layout, windows, the Finder and System Preferences.

Chapter 3: “Keyboard Basics.” This chapter explains the differences between Mac and PC keyboards and describes the key commands used to control VoiceOver. You’ll also learn how to use the built-in keyboard practice and how to set preferences in Mac OS X and VoiceOver if you have difficulty using a keyboard.

Chapter 4: “VoiceOver Basics.” This chapter details how to use VoiceOver to navigate and control the Mac; how to read and interact with text, controls and objects; and how to adjust basic VoiceOver settings.

Chapter 5: “Using VoiceOver with Mac OS X.” This chapter describes how to use the Finder, Dock and Spotlight to launch applications, switch among opn applications and manage files, folders and windows.

Chapter 6: “VoiceOver Utility and Preferences.” This chapter explains how to use VoiceOver Utility to customise VoiceOver, including setting verbosity, preferred pronunciation options (in the pronunciation dictionary), web browsing options and more.

Chapter 7: “Using Mac OS X Applications.” This chapter describes how to set up an Internet connection, how to use Mail to send and receive email and how to use the Safari web browser to surf the Internet.

Chapter 8: “Reading, Editing and Navigating Text.” This chapter explains how to use VoiceOver to read and edit text, check spelling, hear text attributes and perform cursor tracking.

Chapter 9: “Using Braille Displays with VoiceOver.” This chapter tells you how to use refreshable Braille displays with VoiceOver, set Braille options and customise input keys.

Chapter 10: “Advanced Techniques.” This chapter describes how you can use the keyboard, mouse and VoiceOver cursor independently. You’ll also learn how to use the mouse with VoiceOver and how to assign key commands to the NumPad Commander.

“VoiceOver Commands” Appendix. The appendix provides a reference of all of the key commands you can use to control VoiceOver, arranged in General orientation, Navigation, Text and Interaction categories.

Available Formats

You can download the “VoiceOver Getting Started” manual in tagged PDF format (tags enhance navigation when using a screen reader in Windows), a .brf electronic braille file (40 Characters per Line, 25 Lines per page, Interpoint) or as an audio recording in MPEG-4 audio (.m4a) format.

You can play these audio recordings in iTunes for Mac and Windows and on iPod and iPhone. You can also subscribe to the recordings as a podcast. Or, using the following links, you can download individual chapters or all of the chapters at once as a single, compressed ZIP file. We recommend that you download using a high-speed broadband Internet connection.

ZIP File of All Chapters (239.3MB)

If you read American English Braille but don’t have an embosser available locally, Apple can emboss a hardbound copy of “VoiceOver Getting Started” for you. Call 1-800-275-2273 and press 1. The fee is $29.99 and shipping is free worldwide. Be sure to indicate which version of the manual you want: Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard or Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger.

VoiceOver Commands Chart

Sighted and partially sighted users can download a key-command chart in PDF format. The chart is designed to scale so it can be printed at any size, including poster- or even wall-size. Color-coded, the chart is also available in grayscale and serves as a quick-reference guide to keys used to control VoiceOver.

Accessibility in Action

In conjunction with MacLearning, Apple produced the 90-minute Accessibility in Action webcast. The webcast demonstrates the Universal Access features of Mac OS X Leopard, including VoiceOver.

You can wach the Mac Accessibility Presentation as a podcast.