Microsoft Narrator is a text-to-speech utility program included in the Microsoft Windows operating system It is used to read aloud text, including menus and dialogue boxes, that are displayed on the system. Narrator can also be used to read aloud webpages, Microsoft Word documents, and emails. Its purpose is to provide assistance to those who have difficulty reading, such as those with low vision, learning disabilities, and dyslexia.
Microsoft Narrator is designed to be easy to use. When it is enabled, it reads aloud text on the screen whenever it changes—for example, when a menu is opened, a dialogue box appears, or the focus changes. It can be controlled with keyboard shortcuts, a mouse, or a touchscreen. Additionally, Narrator can be used with other assistive technologies, such as screen readers and voice recognition software.
Narrator is a great example of how technology can be used to help people with disabilities better access computers and other technologies. Here are five of the best examples of how Narrator is used:
1. Accessibility: Microsoft Narrator allows users to access the computer in a way that works best for them. For instance, people with sight impairments can use their voice to move through menus and dialogue boxes, while people with motor impairments can use a mouse or keyboard shortcuts.
2. Self-Sufficiency: Narrator can help those with disabilities become more self-sufficient by providing them with a way to perform tasks independently. For example, a person with a learning disability could use Narrator to read aloud a web page or document, rather than relying on someone else to read it to them.
3. Education: Narrator can be used as an effective tool in the classroom to help students with low vision, learning disabilities, and dyslexia keep up with the material being taught. It can read aloud text and dialogue boxes in educational software, as well as webpages, Microsoft Word documents, and emails.
4. Employment: Persons with disabilities often face significant challenges in the job market. Narrator can help by allowing them to access the computer similarly to everyone else, helping them to succeed in their job.
5. Leisure: Narrator can help make leisure activities more enjoyable. It can be used to play games, watch movies, and listen to music on the computer. It can also be used to read webpages and documents, such as ebooks and magazines, aloud. It even has the ability to read aloud email messages, making it easy for those with disabilities to stay in touch with friends and family.
Overall, Microsoft Narrator is an invaluable tool for making computers and other technologies more accessible to those with disabilities. It can help people with disabilities to be more independent and to participate in activities that could otherwise be inaccessible to them.