NVDA

Using a computer as a person with eyesight difficulties is not a problem anymore thanks to tools just as NVDA. The program is a free solution designed to act as a universal gateway for the visually impaired to use the computer without too much hassle.

The installation is simple and straightforward, as it comes with a wizard that guides you through the process with speech. The speech-guided wizard will be active even though you do not have any other screen reader installed, so everything should be smooth.

As expected, the application uses synthesized voices to communicate the information available on screen. The default voices are eSpeak and Microsoft Speech API and they are available in a plethora of languages. At the same time, it offers Braille display support via Bluetooth or USB. If you already own a supported device, then the tool detects it automatically and makes the connections.

A noteworthy thing about the tool is that it comes with a comprehensive plug-in system that enables you to extend the app’s functionality. Adding a new plug-in is simple and entails double-clicking on the pre-packed add-on you downloaded. The app takes care of everything, including the restart necessary after installing a new add-on.

The program relies on the built-in accessibility frameworks in Windows so offer you the information currently available on the screen. Since some apps do not have support for it, it means that the tool doesn’t work with all tools out there and you may need to test which ones work.

Granted, some users have pointed out that the application doesn’t work well with all programs out there. While NVDA is not perfect, it is still a reliable, cost-free solution and can even be considered the underdog of the screen reader market.