From its early days, SpeakOn MediaSuite has used the Standard keyboard as a means of input interaction by the user with the Numerical keypad (NumPad) providing an alternative method of interaction which could be also used remotely.
In June 2015, user interaction was extended and revised. TouchScreen and TouchPad interaction support was added. NumPad interaction was revised and now utilizes 10 keys instead of the 15 in previous versions. The Standard keyboard interaction is exactly as before with minor improvements.
It should be emphasized that SpeakOn handles its own touch processing; a screen reader is not required.
The TouchScreen, TouchPad and NumPad operations share the same principles and keys layout. Function and modifier actions are the same across all interactions. Invoking functions and modifiers is handled in a similar way on the NumPad, TouchScreen and TouchPad but differs from invoking functions and modifiers on the Standard keyboard.
If you already use a device with a TouchScreen, whether based on IOS, Android or Windows, you will be aware that interaction often involves gestures such as a swipe, flick and rotate using one or more fingers. Some form of locating elements by touch on the screen such as controls, items or keys is also sometimes required. These elements are normally selected using a tap gesture with one finger or more usually double taps by default.
In contrast, in SpeakOn, all operations can be performed with a single finger using swipe and single tap gestures.
As mentioned above, SpeakOn handles its own touch processing; a screen reader is not required.
With NVDA, a SpeakOn add-on must be installed for the TouchScreen to work. You can download this SpeakOn MediaSuite NVDA add-on from:
here
With other screen readers, putting the screen reader in sleep mode might be required or the screen reader might have to be switched off altogether. There is more information about how to do this with popular screen readers in the Tutorial section of this manual:
here
Read the following information to learn how to use any of the interaction types mentioned above.
A TouchScreen is supported from Windows 8 and is available with some laptops and tablets. You can perform all common operations in SpeakOn using the TouchScreen.
To start to learn how to use the TouchScreen read
'Getting started using the TouchScreen'
For a complete reference including comparison with the Standard keyboard and the NumPad read
'TouchScreen interaction - features and use'
A TouchPad (sometimes called a TrackPad) is usually integrated into a laptop or sometimes with an external keyboard.
To start to learn how to use the TouchPad read
'Getting started using the TouchPad'
For a complete reference including comparison with the Standard keyboard and the NumPad read
'TouchPad interaction - features and use'
Using the NumPad you can operate SpeakOn with one hand.
To start to learn how to use the NumPad read
'Getting started using the Numerical keypad'
For a complete reference including comparison with the Standard keyboard read
'Numerical keypad interaction - features and use'
Standard keyboard interaction is exactly as in previous versions with minor enhancements.
To start to learn how to use the Standard keyboard read
'Getting started using the Standard keyboard'
For a complete reference read
'Standard keyboard interaction - features and use'
SpeakOn MediaSuite is available free from the:
SpeakOn MediaSuite home page
This page contains information about SpeakOn, the types of media it supports, links to the download page, the manual and the mailing list.