Readme for Screen Access For All (SAFA) Screen reader software

 

This file provides information about the installation for SAFA software.

 

what's new

 

from the earlier version named reader, we have improved on different aspects of the software.

 

The software is now named Screen Access For All (SAFA) and has following things changed.

 

in MS word: now selection is spoken.

table detection with row and colomn numbers

 

safa now detects Hindi text anywhare, earlier it was only possible in MS word.

text detection is improved, earlier if line reading command was issued and the line had different languages, it could not detect correctly. Now language is detected per character, however, there are still issues with multiple language text in single command.

reading in notepad and any edit control is possible, now character, word, line reading commands work.

detection of various controls in dialog boxes is now possible

command to know about the current item is added which is insert + numpad 5.

Reading of web pages and email is now possible, but still it is a plain text.

 

System requirements:

windows 2000 or windows XP

microsoft word XP

 

installation

 

unzip the file safa6oct2003.zip

you will find:

safa 6oct2003 (directory containing the runtime software)

in this directory you will find setup.bat which can be run from the command prompt.

 

Note: you must install viavoice synthesizer before this software can be used.

 

Running the software

 

Goto safa 6oct2003 directory and run safa.exe

 

using the software

 

Software currently works with microsoft word, notepad, and windows dialog boxes. It also works with internet explorer, however reading of links and text are not related.

for english language one can straight away start using the software,

for Hindi, enable windows support for indian languages by checking the checkMark in control panel > regional settings > languages tab> install files for Complex script and wright-to_left

languages (including Thai)

After indic language support is added, enable hindi input in

control panel > regional settings > languages tab> details dialogue. press tab twice and press on add. select devanagari inscript input method and then press ok as required

to switch between hindi or english input language use left alt plus left shift.

the software should automatically be speaking in the language of the input or text anyware in windows.

So if the current language is hindi, it will speak in hindi

otherwise the software will speak in English.

It will automatically detect hindi text anyware it is able to read the text and if it is in unicode.

 

Command summary:

format information insert + f

previous line up arrow

Current line insert + numpad 5

next line down arrow

 

Previous word control + left arrow

Current word control + numpad 5

Next word control right arrow

 

previous character left arrow

Current character numpad 5

Next character right arrow

 

for the commands above, use shift to select or deselect the text, safa will speak selected or unselected.

 

In dialog boxes:

Use insert + numpad 5 to read about the current item

 

Anyware in the software:

 

Use insert + t to read title.

Insert + r to know the window class name

Insert + c to know the caret location.

 

 

Known issues:

slow in navigation

hangs during typing at times.

 

Feedback:

 

 

The software is in development stage, and needs users feedback and suggestions.

for feed back, email to dineshkaushal@hotmail.com