A Voice Output Module Developed for a Blind Programmer

Abstract

This article describes a voice output module in use for one year by a blind computer programmer for reading messages, programs, and files. This module consists of a speech-by-rule program running in a microcomputer and a speech synthesizer. The program translates all printable text destined for a user into basic consonant and vowel sounds called phonemes. Commands to enunciate these phonemes are sent to a speech synthesizer, which in turn produces synthetic English speech that is generally intelligible and acceptable to programmers. The voice output module is plugged in between a typical computer terminal and its link with either a local or remote computer. Extensive text review and voice output controls are incorporated into the module to aid in computer programming.

Internet surfing for the blind: a prototype

“…Speech synthesis technology (Allen et al, 1981;Suen, 1981) has been available since the late 1970s. "Screen readers" (LinuxUser, 2000) were developed in 1980s and blind people can now access most text-based computer displays using speech generated by screen readers (Meyers and Schreier, 1991).…”

UEFI BIOS Accessibility for the Visually Impaired

“…Nowadays there are several tools focused on accessibility for the visually impaired. Among them, screen readers are used when the user has very little or no sight at all [4]. The function of this type of assistive application is to guide the visually impaired user by describing the visual interface he is operating, as well as all actions performed by him.…”

“…Among these professionals we can find programmers, network experts and a large number of professionals working with computer maintenance, among other specialties. In order to allow people with some type of visual impairment to perform computer related tasks, screen readers have been developed, which are software that aim to help the user navigate a visual interface through sound instructions [4]. For example, a user that is using a screen with three buttons could navigate between them through a pre-defined command (often the tab key), and with the help of the screen reader, listen the name of each button that is currently selected.…”

Literature Survey of How Students with Visual Impairments Interact with Engineering Course Materials

“…Auditory assistive technology can consist of delivering speech (e.g., screen readers) or non-speech (e.g., sound) cues. For example, text-to-speech synthesis technology first became available in the late 1970s to programmers with BVI [5]- [6]. It was not until 1992 that screen readers were developed, which enabled people with BVI to access most of the commercially available text-based packages using either speech or braille technology [7]- [9].…”