Using NVDA, Screen Reader Software for the Blind

Tangerang, Kartunet - NVDA (Non Visual Desktop Access) is a screen reader program that allows blind individuals to use computers with the Windows operating system without any additional cost. So, NVDA can be obtained for free. We can download NVDA from the website: www.nvaccess.org. The latest NVDA in 2017 is NVDA version 2017.3. This module will explain how to use NVDA, from installation to program settings.

Installing NVDA

The steps are as follows:

1. First, download the latest NVDA from the Official NVDA Website (www.nvaccess.org)
2. Then install NVDA on your computer/laptop by pressing enter on the downloaded file, for example, nvda_2017.3.exe. If a Security Warning dialog appears, select Run, then enter.
3. If a User Account Control dialog appears, select Yes, then enter.
4. Wait a moment until the next dialog appears. Tab to select I agree by pressing space, tab to select Install NVDA on this computer, then enter.
5. Tab to Continue, then enter.
6. Wait a moment until NVDA has been successfully installed, then press enter.

Activating NVDA

There are two ways to activate NVDA: manually and automatically. Activating NVDA manually means the NVDA program must be launched with a shortcut. The method: press Alt+Ctrl+n, wait a moment, the computer will emit a beep sound, and shortly after, NVDA will start speaking. Activating NVDA automatically means the NVDA program is configured/set to activate without needing to be launched. Try the following steps:

• First, activate NVDA manually, or proceed directly to the next step if it's already active.
• Press the Insert+n keys to open the NVDA menu.
• Press the down arrow until the computer says: “Preferences”, then press Enter.
• Press the up/down arrow to find General Settings, then press Enter.
• Press Tab several times until the computer says: “Automatically start NVDA after I log on check box”. Press space to activate it.
• “Use NVDA on the Windows log on screen check box.” In this section, press space to check it.
• Press Tab several times to reach OK, then press Enter.

Deactivating NVDA

You might need to deactivate NVDA or the screen reader program because your computer will be used by a sighted relative, so NVDA must be turned off first. To deactivate it: press Insert+q (the NVDA key is a variation of the Insert key on a PC, while the Caps Lock key is used for Laptops). NVDA will confirm if you are sure you want to quit NVDA by saying “are you sure you want to quit NVDA?”. Simply press Enter to deactivate it.

Memorizing Keyboard Key Positions with Help on Keyboard

This is a feature that can be used to understand the keys on a keyboard. With this feature, NVDA will lock the keyboard so that pressing keys will not affect any application programs on the computer. This is very useful for beginners who are just learning the keyboard. To activate Help on Keyboard, press the NVDA+1 key; press the NVDA+1 key again to deactivate it.

Additional NVDA Settings

There are several additional settings that are quite useful to make you comfortable using a computer with NVDA. You might not understand the meaning of some of them yet, but as your computer proficiency increases, you will appreciate the benefits of the following:

1. Disabling Screen Layout. When you browse the internet, NVDA will read out the sequence of links according to their actual display on the screen. However, this display can sometimes be confusing because it's easier for blind users to navigate with the up/down arrows to read each link rather than having to traverse a sequence of links that are actually positioned horizontally. To change this setting, follow these steps:
   
   • Enter the NVDA menu by pressing Insert + N
   • Use the up/down arrow to find Preferences
   • Then go to Browse mode
   • Press tab until NVDA says “use screen layout (when supported)”, press space to uncheck it.
   • Press tab until the OK button, then enter.
2. Disabling Spelling Error. By default, the language recognized by NVDA is English. Therefore, every time you read or write Indonesian text in Microsoft Word, NVDA will say “spelling error”. Of course, this can be quite annoying. To disable it, follow these simple steps:
   
   • Enter the NVDA menu with Insert + N.
   • Go to Preferences
   • Find Document Formatting
   • Remove the checkmark from “spelling error” by pressing the spacebar
   • Press tab until the OK button, then press enter.