A free screen-reader for Windows?

Should visually impaired people have to pay extra just to be able to access computer facilities which are instantly available to everyone else? With the incorporation by Apple of the VoiceOver screen reader in the Mac operating system, this question is finally being treated seriously by at least one major computer provider. Unfortunately, for those of us using Windows-based PCs, reliance is placed on third-party software to provide essential accessibility - but usually at a cost which exceeds the price of the computer system itself.

Until Microsoft improves Narrator to the point that it offers similar functionality to VoiceOver for the Mac, we are having to rely on the kindness of individuals and charitable organisations to come up with a workable, free screen reader for Windows. Thankfully, there is one which works well with most standard applications and which does not seem to crash the system in the process. This is NVDA, produced by NV Access.

So, can you buy a PC or laptop from a high street store or online and immediately get up and running with NVDA? It sounds too good to be true, doesn't it?

Listen to our podcast on accessing a PC with NVDA.

JAWS for Windows and other commercially-oriented screen readers provide extra facilities which are often absolutely essential in particular circumstances, but for the average user NVDA may well give you all the access you need. So why pay?

Visit our NVDA training and JAWS training pages to find out how we can help you with training in these screen readers.