ZoomText is the most advanced screen magnifier on the market today. ZoomText 8.0 is also a screen reader (like JAWS - though without as many navigational features). ZoomText also includes the DocReader which when activated will read through entire MSWord documents, websites, and email.
ZoomText is quite easy to use and the majority of the options are self-explanatory. You can use ZoomText as a screen magnifier or as a screen reader and magnifier. Below are pictures of the ZoomText interface with explanations of the most widely-used options. Please ask a lab consultant if you need further description or assistance with ZoomText. Our lab consultants have been specially trained on this software.
Power- Adjusts the level of magnification
Type- Displays a menu of zoom window types
Adjust- Sizes or moves a window
Freeze- Freezes a portion of the area being magnified
View- Shows a portion of the magnified area in a power of 1x
Color- Allows adjustment of screen colors, brightness, and contrast
Pointer- Allows adjustment of colors, and size
Cursor- Enhances cursor to improve visibility
Reader Options:
Speech- Displays a menu for enabling and disabling speech
Rate- Controls how fast ZoomText speaks (in words per minute)
Typing- Opens menus for typing echo options
Mouse- Opens menu for mouse echo options
Verbos.- Opens menu for verbosity options
AppRdr- Allows ZoomText to read text from last open application
DocRdr- Allows ZoomText to read from an application using text formatted for easier viewing
SpeakIt- Allows ZoomText to read text that has been clicked on or highlighted
ZoomText has a few hot keys to make navigation on the computer easier:
Right-click the Mouse - Right-clicking the mouse changes you from whatever mode you are in (ex. ZoomIn) back to the normal cursor
AltInsert, AltDelete - Toggles ZoomText on and off
AltPageUp - Moves screen up one length
AltPageDown - Moves screen down one length
AltHome - Moves to beginning of screen
AltEnd - Moves to end of screen
Alt with arrow keys - used for navigation