Technology

Talking and Text only Web Browsers

Summary: Information about available specialist web browsers such as talking web browsers and text only web browsers.

• Talking web browsers
• Talking web browsers with magnification
• Text only web browsers
• Other Utilities

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There are three methods to browse the web using speech output:

• Use a talking web browser which is designed specifically to access the web with integrated speech output. No screen reader is required.
• Use a utility or text browser which reformats the website, in conjunction with a screen reader.
• Use a standard web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer in conjunction with a screen reader.

Talking web browsers were generally more widely used in the mid and late nineties when screen readers were catching up with developments in Internet technologies. As they are a cheaper option than a screen reader, they are now popular with people who want to get access to the internet, but don’t want to spend a lot of money on a screen reader.

Talking web browsers

Connect Outloud

Connect Outloud is based on JAWS the screen reader. It is not just a talking web browser but is designed for access to the Internet, email and word processing. It does not have the ability to be customised for different applications but offers braille and speech output for a restricted number of applications within the Windows operating system. It has its own word processor (FS Editor) with in-built spell checker.

Connect Outloud has an interactive talking install that allows you to get started without sighted assistance, and its Tutor Mode helps you learn its easy to use features via the keyboard. It has many similarities with JAWS and a user can easily move on to a full JAWS system if required after using Connect Outloud.

This product is designed for used by someone who has no useful vision and works with Internet Explorer. This is essentially a cut down version of JAWS for home users who want to access the Internet and use a word processor. It is a fraction of the cost of JAWS but does not support office type applications such as Excel.
Connect Outloud - find out more

Simply Web 2000

This is a free talking web browser designed for people with no useful vision and works with Internet 4.01 or later, although 5.0 is recommended.
Simply Web 2000 – find out more and download

Talking web browsers with magnification

pwWebSpeak

pwWebSpeak is a Windows web browser designed specifically to read the website using speech output. It does not require a separate screen reader or an additional web browser, it has large print facilities built in and will run under windows 3.x, 95/98 and NT.

The user may navigate through the structure of a document based on its contents: links, headings and paragraphs, rather than having to deal with scrolling and interpreting a complex screen lay-out. The intelligence built into pwWebSpeak understands the web page and presents it logically, simplifying navigation of even complex documents. This product is suitable for someone with low vision or with no useful vision.

Although pwWebSpeak is still available for download it is not supported. As no development work has been undertaken for about five years it is not able to access many current web sites due to the advances in web technology.
pwWebSpeak – find out more and download

Text only web browsers

Text only web browsers are usually DOS or Unix based web browsers that can read documents and follow links to other documents. They can be used in conjunction with a screen reader and speech syntheziser and can provide an alternative way to access the Internet with speech output.

Elinks

Elinks is a full featured text browser which incorporates tabbed browsing and can cope with frames and tables. It is customizable and works on many platforms. Some examples include: Linux, MacOS, Windows, Digital Unix, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD.
Elinks – find out more and download.

Lynx

Lynx is a text browser which runs on Unix, Windows 95/98/NT and DOS. The Mac version is in beta test.
Lynx – find out more and download.

Net-tamer

Net-tamer is a shareware text browser which was initially developed to work on older PCs.
Net-tamer – find out more and download

Other Utilities

WebbIE

WebbIE is a not a talking web browser but a free utility which can change a website into simple text and enables navigation using the arrow keys. It must be used in conjunction with a screen reader, such as Thunder or JAWS to give access the web, for people with no useful vision. It can be used to fill in forms online, summarise page content and provide a list of links on a website. To find out more and to download this program visit the WebbIE website.

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Content author: technology@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13