Many devices have built-in accessibility apps that you can use for free. Listed below are some of the most common ones. Clicking on their titles will take you to online support documentation.
Windows 10
Microsoft Office Speech
- Reads text out loud (text to speech)
- Follow along as highlighted words are read out loud
- Add-on to the QuickAccess toolbar
Edge Browser Speech
- Reads websites out loud (text to speech)
- Right-click anywhere on page and select Read aloud
- Follow along as highlighted words are read out loud
- Reads PDF documents and digital ebooks in EPUB format out loud
- Immersive Reader view which provides additional reading supports
Speech Recognition
- Allows you to dictate text (speech-to-text)
- Control your computer with your voice
- Provides text correction features
- Using offline recognition keeps information private
Narrator
- Full featured screen reader
- Reads aloud everything on the screen
- Enables navigation of your computer or device by keyboard or touch alone.
Magnifier
- Screen magnifier
- Can magnify the entire screen, or only certain areas when needed
- Apply colour and contrast filters
Mac (OS Catalina)
Enable accessibility feature on a Mac:
- In the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
- Select Accessibility.
- Select and turn on the features you want to use.
Speech
- Reads selected text out loud (text to speech)
- Follow along as highlighted words are read out loud
Voice control
- Allows you to dictate text (speech-to-text)
- Control your computer with your voice
- Provides text correction features
- Personal Information is kept private
- Does not require internet
Voice Over
- Full featured screen reader
- Reads aloud everything on the screen
- Enables navigation of your computer or device by keyboard or touch alone.
Zoom
- Screen magnifier
- Can magnify the entire screen, or only certain areas when needed
- Use Hover Text to enlarge content you hover over with your mouse
- Apply colour and contrast filters
iPhone and iPad (OS 13)
To enable accessibility features on an iPhone or iPad
- From the Home screen, go to Settings.
- Select accessibility.
- Select and turn on the features you want to use.
Spoken Content
- Reads text out loud (text to speech)
- Follow along as highlighted words are read out loud
- Speak Selection – hear selected text when you tap Speak
- Speak Screen – automatically read the entire screen when you swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers
- Works in Mail, iBooks, Safari, Notes, and many other apps
Voice control
- Allows you to dictate text (speech-to-text)
- Control your computer with your voice
- Provides text correction features
- Personal Information is kept private
- Does not require internet
Voice Over
- Full featured screen reader
- Reads aloud everything on the screen
- Enables navigation of your computer or device by keyboard or touch alone.
Magnification
- Digital magnification glass
- Uses the camera on your device to increase the size of anything you point at.
- Can change the contrast and brightness
Zoom
- Screen magnifier
- Can magnify the entire screen, or only certain areas when needed
- Apply colour and contrast filters
Android phones and tablets
Android Accessibility AppsAccessibility features can be found under the Settings menu.
If you do not see the Accessibility menu, you can download the Android Accessibility Suite from the Google Play Store.
Text to Speech settings are normally found under the Language and Keyboard menu, rather than Accessibility.
If you do not see the Accessibility menu, you can download the Android Accessibility Suite from the Google Play Store.
Text to Speech settings are normally found under the Language and Keyboard menu, rather than Accessibility.
Select to Speak
- Reads text out loud (text to speech)
- Follow along as highlighted words are read out loud
- Select items on your screen to hear them read aloud
- Can point camera at something in the read world to have read aloud
Voice Access App
- Allows you to dictate text (speech-to-text)
- Control your computer with your voice
- Provides text correction features
- Need to download apps from Play Store before using
Speech Input
- Adds Dictation option to the keyboard (Microphone icon)
- Quick and easy to use
- Has option to download offline recognition
- No text editing capabilities
TalkBack
- Full featured screen reader
- Reads aloud everything on the screen
- Enables navigation of your computer or device by keyboard or touch alone.
Magnification
- Screen magnifier
- Can magnify the entire screen, or only certain areas when needed
- Touch and hold anywhere on screen to zoom in.