Services Assistive Technology Computer software
Software to help make computers more accessible
A range of software packages is available that are designed to make computers more accessible for people with sight impairments.
Software can be expensive but you can seek advice from one of our AT Workers before purchasing a package to make sure that it is suited to your needs and, if you have a computer, that it will be compatible. In some Centres we're also able to offer equipment and software on loan, so you can try it out at home for a few weeks.
Please note the information contained in this section of the website is for information purposes only. KAB does not endorse or recommend any of the products that are listed.
Magnification software
Speech software
Combined speech and magnification software
Magnification software
Desktop Zoom 3.5 is a free zoom and magnification programme which can:
- Zoom in on an area around the mouse, zoom in on a fixed window or enlarge the entire desktop,
- You can use the mouse inside the zoomed window,
- Use the mouse wheel or arrow keys to adjust the magnification strength,
- And view the entire screen as a thumbnail in the right-bottom corner,
Desktop Zoom 3.5 is available for free download (Click here)
Lightning Express is a free to use Magnification Programme which can:
- Magnify the area around the mouse or the entire screen,
- Magnify between 2 to 6 times,
- Change the colour of the mouse pointer,
- Reverse the screen colour,
- Be used on any PC running Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 with an internet connection,
- Be installed permanently by CD at a low cost.
Find out more about Lightning Express
Magnifying Glass Pro acts exactly like a magnifying glass held up to your computer screen. As you pass your mouse cursor over the screen, that area of the screen is enlarged making it much easier to read.
Read more about Magnifying Glass Pro
ZoomText Magnifier enlarges and enhances everything on your computer screen. The product claims to be able to display crystal clear text at all magnification levels. A full range of magnification levels up to 36x is available.
Read more about Zoomtext Magnifier
Lightning magnifies everything up to 36x so you can enlarge your typing, photos, pictures, maps, menus, icons and the internet. You can choose what is magnified, including the cursor, and you can choose what colours are most comfortable.
Lightning Plus magnifies up to 32x but you can add more customisation and choose the type of magnification from full screen, lens or strip magnifier. You can also choose from vertical or horizontal split screen, change brightness and specify the colours that suit you best.
Read more about Lightening and Lightening Plus
Supernova Magnifier can magnify 2x to 60x and incorporates many features including full colour image smoothing, separate adjustment of horizontal and vertical magnification. Pre-set or custom colour schemes are included. A trial version is available.
Read more about Supernova Magnifier
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Speech software
NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free screen reader for Microsoft Windows. Reading text on the screen via synthetic speech and braille, it enables sight impaired people to access computers running Windows for no more cost than a sighted person. Major features include support for over 20 languages and the ability to run the programme entirely from a USB drive with no installation.
Read more about NVDA and download the programme
Thunder is a free screenreader that is able to read Microsoft Word, Outlook Express and Internet Explorer. The developers say the software works with Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.
Read more about Thunder and download the programme
System Access delivers full access to any computer running Windows XP or later operating systems. System Access is intuitive and easy to use.
Supernova Screen Reader works by reading the screen interactively and communicating through a speech synthesiser or a refreshable Braille display. Hal talks as you type, announcing words or characters so you can check what you write. The developers say the software can read links, headings or frames on websites and can also read image labels, font styles, Windows menus and icons for easy navigation. You can try the programme before purchasing it.
Read more about Supernova Screen Reader and trial the programme
JAWS for windows provides access to software applications and the internet by using a speech synthesiser and a sound card. JAWS supports all standard Windows applications including Microsoft Office, WordPerfect and Lotus Notes and can be adapted with the built in customisation tools. The interactive talking installation makes it easy to get started without sighted assistance.
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Combined speech and magnification software
Please remember that software, especially combined speech and magnification software, can be expensive. You can seek advice from one of KAB’s AT Workers before purchasing a package to make sure that it is suited to your needs and that it will be compatible with your hardware.
iZoom is able to magnify from 1.5 up to 36 times with a choice of either full screen and lens modes. It has a full range of enhanced colour modes where you can choose from over 12 text and background colours. It also features ClearPoint font smoothing which helps to maintain clear text quality regardless of zoom level. You can carry your iZoom Screen Magnifier & Reader on a portable thumb drive and use it on any Windows compatible PC without administrative privileges or installation.
Read more about iZoom and trial the software before you purchase
Supernova Reader Magnifier incorporates a range of features including:
- Speech output that can read documents, web pages, menus and button prompts and will talk as you type,
- Facility to access complex websites with ease by choosing to list links, headings or frames,
- Offers a choice of magnification styles with many options such as split screen, whole screen, lens and window so you can set it up to suit you,
- Provides magnification from the point of login on the PC so you can see detail from startup.
Read more about Supernova Reader Magnifier and trial the software before you purchase
Dolphin Guide is an all-in-one computer package that has been specifically designed to be easy-to-use and easy-to-learn. Dolphin Guide has its own in-built screen reader so it will read out the text on every screen, even while you're typing. It also has its own in-built screen magnifier, so you can enlarge the text on every screen whether you are writing a letter or surfing the Internet. A free demo CD is available on request.
Read more about Dolphin Guide and trial the software before you purchase
ZoomText Magnifier/Reader is a fully integrated magnification and screen reading programme that can enlarge, enhance and read out all on-screen information. The software enables large print users to magnify the contents of their computer screen and listen to it read out in synthetic speech at the same time. Features include:
- Up to 36 times zoom
- Zoom in or out at any time using keyboard shortcuts or the mouse wheel
- Comes with a range of colour enhancements allowing you to adjust screen colours to improve the clarity of text, graphics and diagrams
- Automatically speaks screen information including all program controls, menus, dialogues and messages
- Can be carried around with you on a portable USB drive. Simply insert the drive into a USB port to make any PC accessible
Read more about ZoomText Magnifier/Reader
Supernova Access Suite is a full screen reader offering magnification, speech and braille support. It is ideal for people who experience varying or deteriorating eye conditions during a working day as well as for institutional settings such as in school or work that need to provide solutions for visually impaired groups with a range of sight impairments. A free demo CD is available on request.
Read more about Supernova Access Suite and trial the software