Speech-to-Text Technology on Mac OS X Computer Access for Individuals with Disabilities.

Speech-to-Text Technology on Mac OS X

Computer Access for Individuals with Disabilities

• To find the speech recognition options on a Mac, click the apple in the upper left corner of the screen, and select “System Preferences” from the menu.

First, click here

Then, click here

• In the System Preferences window, select “Speech”. This option is pointed out above.

Click here

• Speech Recognition allows the user to control the computer using his/her voice instead of the keyboard and/or mouse. With Speech Recognition, the user can use Speakable Items to navigate menus and to open, close, control, and switch between applications, among other functions.

• This feature does not perform dictation.

• Select the type of microphone that will be used for input.– A “line in” describes any microphone that must be plugged in to the

computer, such as a microphone headset or a desktop microphone. – An “internal microphone” is one that is built-in to the computer.

• When the microphone has been selected and connected (if necessary), click the “Calibrate” button to calibrate that microphone.

Click here to calibrate the microphone

• The user must follow the instructions on the screen to calibrate his/her microphone.

• Click done when calibration is complete.

When finished, click Done

• Listening Key:• Listening Method:

– Listen only while key is pressed: If selected, the user must hold down the listening key (Esc in the example above) the entire time he/she is speaking. This is a good option if the computer is being used in a noisy environment, as it helps to control how much the computer is taking in.

– Listen continuously with keyword: If selected, the user can set the keyword to be • Keyword is:

– Requested before each command: This will also allow for more control of what the computer takes in when the user is in a noisy environment.

– Optional before commands: This allows for hands-free use of Speech Recognition, with the downside being that the computer takes in all noises in the environment.

• Upon Recognition:– Speak command acknowledgement: Check here to be certain that the computer has

acknowledged the user’s command.• Choose a sound for acknowledgement of recognition.

• Select from the menu at the left which items are likely to be included in the user’s commands (these may be items that the user cannot access using a mouse or keyboard, but is likely to require access to).

Click here

• Refer to the tips provided for performing spoken commands in the Speech Recognition feature.

Mac Resource

• To read more about accessibility options offered by Mac, go to:– http://www.apple.com/accessibility/macosx/visio

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