Accessibility
Read this page to find answers to frequently asked questions about accessibility
features in Microsoft Reader.
What accessibility features are in Microsoft Reader?
Microsoft Reader boasts significant accessibility features. To enable Microsoft
Reader to take advantage of existing speech technologies, you must install the
new
Microsoft Reader Text-to-Speech Package
1.0
.
Once the necessary components are installed, you can use the Text-to-Speech
feature to listen to many eBooks using a synthetic speech engine. Note that
the Text-to-Speech feature is not enabled for copy-protected eBooks. You can
also take advantage of the Verbosity features to navigate within Microsoft Reader
using voice support options for Microsoft Reader menus, annotations, and navigational
elements.
When you enable the Verbosity feature, Microsoft Reader announces where you
are on the screen by tracking the movement of your mouse and your keystrokes.
You can press F5 to hear more details about where you are on the screen. In
addition to the features included in the Text-to-Speech Package, you can use
keyboard shortcuts to quickly
perform a variety of tasks.
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How do I turn off the Verbosity feature?
From within Microsoft Reader, click Settings from the Navigation menu
on the left side of the page, or press ALT+S. Then, click Go To
from the Navigation menu on the left side of the screen, and select
Voice
Settings
from the pop-up menu, or press O. At the Voice Settings
screen, remove the checkmark next to Verbosity.
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Why does the Verbosity feature launch when I have not downloaded
Microsoft Reader Text-to-Speech Package 1.0?
Several Microsoft products (see list below) have voice/SAPI engines and TTS
components. Third-party applications may support these technologies as well.
Even if you have not downloaded the TTS Package, the Verbosity feature in Microsoft
Reader will launch automatically if you have one of these installed, including:
-
Microsoft Encarta® Reference Suite 2001
- Microsoft Encarta 2002
- Microsoft Office XP
- Microsoft Game Voice
- Windows XP
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Which Text-To-Speech (TTS) package should I download if
I use the Spanish or Italian version of Microsoft Reader?
The TTS Package is available in three languages: English, German, and French.
If you use the Spanish or Italian version of Microsoft Reader, we recommend
you download the English TTS Package. Also note that it is possible to find
and download other SAPI 5 engines that could provide Verbosity for Microsoft
Reader.
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Will the Text-to-Speech (TTS) feature work across all Microsoft
Reader-enabled devices?
At present, this feature is only enabled for the desktop/laptop version of the
software.
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Will all eBooks work with the TTS feature?
No. While the majority of titles presently available in Microsoft Reader format
will work with the TTS feature, most of the "premium content" (copy-protected)
titles have been published in a format that does not allow for Text-to-Speech.
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When will Microsoft fix this TTS problem?
There are two aspects to the TTS solution that will come with time. The first
is a technical solution—it simply is not possible for Microsoft to enable
this feature with the security needs required to ensure intellectual property
protection of copyrighted material; we are working to make it technically feasible
in the future.
The second is a policy concern that is out of Microsoft's control; the rights
to create and distribute audio files from books are often negotiated separately
from the print rights. This area of copyright ownership must be worked out by
the other involved parties before there will be a clear path to fully enable
this feature.
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How many titles are available in TTS format?
Thousands of Microsoft Reader eBook titles allow this feature to run on the
desktop or laptop. They are available from retail outlets like
Amazon.com and from the University of Virginia. The content is described as
"Inscribed" (level 3) content. eBooks published in copy-protected
(level 5) format, the highest level of security protection, will not work
with
this feature.
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If the eBook I want isn't TTS enabled, what can I do?
Many publishers create premium, or Owner Exclusive audio eBook content, which
you can find at Audible.com. Look for audio eBooks or "audiobooks"
on your favorite bookseller's Web site.
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How can I tell which eBooks will work and which eBooks
won't?
Microsoft, retailers, and publishers are working hard to create clear communication
on what types of content will work with the TTS feature. In general, content
is described as "inscribed" (level 3) as well as all public domain
titles will work with this new feature in a desktop or laptop environment.
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Where can I learn about the Keyboard Shortcuts in Microsoft
Reader?
Detailed information about the
Keyboard
Shortcuts
in Microsoft Reader is available on this site, in the support
section.
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