Accessibility Tools for the Web

Handy Helpers for Web Browsing and Working Online

There are many terrific tech tools for searching the web, reading  web pages, and entering text into web pages. On this page I'm sharing some options with you. Just click a link to learn about anything that interests you.

Visual Accessibility

• High Contrast Links to an external site. for Google Chrome
• High contrast mode in Microsoft Edge Links to an external site.
• High Contrast Toggle Links to an external site. for Mozilla Firefox

Searching the Web

Use one of these speech recognition programs to search with your voice.

Built Into Your Computer or Browser

• Microsoft Cortana Links to an external site. in Windows 10 and 11
• Apple Voice Control Links to an external site. (and Siri in the MacOS)
• Google Voice Search, built into Chrome (just click the microphone in the Search box and speak; for more information, read this Digital Trends article Links to an external site.)

Reading on the Web

These tech tools and features read text out loud on Web pages.

Built Into Your Computer or Browser

• Windows Narrator Links to an external site.
• Apple VoiceOver Links to an external site.
• Immersive Reader feature in Microsoft Edge Links to an external site.
• Read Aloud feature in Microsoft Edge Links to an external site.
• Hear text read aloud on your Chromebook Links to an external site.

Available Online

• NaturalReader Links to an external site.: use the online interface, the Chrome browser extension, or download software for the MacOS or Windows. Watch my demo to learn about the NaturalReader miniboard Links to an external site., which you can use on any web page.
• Kurzweil 3000 Read the Web, a browser extension that works with an active Kurzweil account. Go to the Browser Extensions page for links to the Chrome and Firefox versions, plus a demo.
• Read Aloud extension for Mozilla Firefox Links to an external site.

Dictating Text Into Web Pages

Built Into Your Computer

• Windows Speech Recognition Links to an external site.
• Apple Enhanced Dictation Links to an external site. (in older Macs)
• Apple Voice Control Links to an external site. (in MacOS Catalina and newer versions)
• Type text with your voice - for Chromebooks Links to an external site.

Available Online

• Voice In Voice Typing (Chrome browser extension) Links to an external site.
• Google Docs Voice Typing Links to an external site. (available with the Chrome browser only)