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General considerations

There is no problem for SpeakOn and a screen reader or magnifier to reside together on your computer.

SpeakOn is 'self-voicing' and therefore does not depend on a screen reader. Because there is nothing to see on the plain SpeakOn window, there is no need to use a magnifier either. However, when you start to use SpeakOn you may want to keep your screen reader or magnifier running so that you can switch to another application; for example if you want to browse this documentation at the same time as you operate SpeakOn.

SpeakOn can be operated using the Standard keyboard, Numerical keypad (NumPad), TouchPad or TouchScreen. For clarity, screen reader considerations for each of these interaction types are described separately in a self-contained way below.

Page index:

1. Using the Standard keyboard

2. Using the NumPad

3. Using the TouchPad

4. Using the TouchScreen

1. Using the Standard keyboard

If you use the Standard keyboard and do not use 'Key echo On' with your screen reader, it might be possible to leave your screen reader running with no intervention. If you find that your screen reader speaks while you use SpeakOn, you have the following options:

These topics together with the configuration of popular screen readers are discussed in the following pages.

2. Using the NumPad

Screen readers and magnifiers sometimes use the NumPad as part of their own operation.

To use the NumPad, the NumLock key must be on. To avoid conflict with your screen reader or magnifier, you have the following options:

These topics together with the configuration of popular screen readers are discussed in the following pages.

3. Using the TouchPad

The TouchPad moves the mouse cursor and therefore you need to ensure that your screen reader does not speak when you slide your finger on the TouchPad when you use SpeakOn. To do this you have the following options:

These topics together with the configuration of popular screen readers are discussed in the following pages.

4. Using the TouchScreen

SpeakOn handles its own TouchScreen support; it does not rely on TouchScreen support by the screen reader. Some screen readers provide support for the TouchScreen others do not. Screen readers that provide TouchScreen support intercept TouchScreen interactions which need to be disabled when using SpeakOn with the TouchScreen.

The configuration of screen readers to allow SpeakOn to work with the TouchScreen varies and it is discussed in the following pages.


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