Free screen access technologies for people with visual impairments

In order to ensure equal rights and opportunities for people with visual impairments and dyslexia, the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine recommends using modern free screen access programs (screen readers) that help users work with computers and mobile devices using speech synthesis or Braille.

The most common free screen sharing programs are:

• NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free program for computers and laptops with the Windows operating system. It has a Ukrainian-language interface, supports work with office programs, browsers, and modern speech synthesizers.

• TalkBack is a built-in accessibility feature for Android smartphones and tablets that provides spoken information on the screen and supports gesture control.

• VoiceOver is a built-in screen access technology for Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch), which provides voice recognition of interface elements and navigation in Ukrainian.

NVDA Screen Access User Guide

NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) is a free, open-source screen reader for the Microsoft Windows operating system. By providing text to speech or Braille, it enables people with visual impairments or dyslexia to fully and seamlessly use computers and access government services and websites.

1. System requirements

• Operating system: 64-bit versions of Windows 10 or Windows 11 (including AMD64 and ARM64 architectures). Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025.
• Free disk space: at least 500 MB.
• RAM: from 4 GB.

2. How to download and install NVDA

The program is completely free, does not require license keys or paid subscriptions.

1. Go to the developer's official download page: https://www.nvaccess.org/download
2. Press the button «Download» (Download) and run the installer file (the file name starts with nvda_…exe).
3. After running the file, a temporary copy of the audio will be turned on, which will announce the subsequent steps.
4. Check the box «"I agree"» (I agree) with the license agreement and select the desired action option:
   1. «"Install NVDA on this computer"» (Recommended for permanent use. Allows the program to start automatically when the PC is turned on and to play the Windows login windows).
   1. «"Create a portable copy"» (Allows you to save the program to a USB flash drive and run it on any computer without installation).
   1. «"Continue working"» (Leaves a temporary version for testing without saving the settings).
5. When selecting the installation, confirm the Windows system request (UAC) to make changes by clicking Alt + Y. When the installation is complete, click OK.

3. NVDA Modifier Key and Getting Started

Most screen reader commands are executed by simultaneously pressing a special modifier key (called NVDA key) and other letters or arrows.

• By default NVDA key assigned: key Insert (on the main or numeric keypad).
• During the first launch in the "Welcome Window" you can additionally select a key Caps Lock as an NVDA key.
• To call NVDA main settings menu, press the combination: NVDA + N (or double-tap with two fingers on the touchscreen).

Keyboard learning tip: Click NVDA + 1, to turn on the mode «"Input Help"». In this mode, you can press any keys or make gestures on the screen, and the program will simply name them and describe what they do, without executing any actual commands. To exit the mode, press NVDA + 1 repeatedly.

4. Basic keyboard shortcuts (Hotkeys)

Broadcast and system control:

• Start/restart NVDA: Ctrl + Alt + N
• Exit the program completely: NVDA + Q, then press Enter
• Instantly stop the current broadcast: Ctrl key
• Pause/resume broadcast: Shift key (pressing it again will continue reading from the same place)
• Find out the current time/date: NVDA + F12 (single press for time, double press for date)
• Speak the name of the active window: NVDA + T
• Read all text in the clipboard (copied): NVDA + C
• Switching broadcast modes: NVDA + S (switches between modes: Speech, Voiceover on request, Disabled, Audible signals)

Reading and viewing text:

• Read all in a row (from current position): NVDA + Down Arrow
• Read the current line of text: NVDA + Up Arrow
• Read the highlighted text fragment: NVDA + Shift + Up Arrow
• Read the entire window completely (relevant for dialog boxes): NVDA + B

Voice quick settings ring (works from anywhere):

• Go to next voice parameter (tempo, volume, pitch, voice selection): NVDA + Ctrl + Right Arrow
• Go to previous voice option: NVDA + Ctrl + Left Arrow
• Increase the value of a parameter (e.g., speed up the tempo or increase the volume): NVDA + Ctrl + Up Arrow
• Decrease the value of a parameter (e.g., slow down speech or reduce volume): NVDA + Ctrl + Down Arrow

5. Internet Navigation (Web Browsing Mode)

When you open a website (in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox), NVDA automatically turns on View mode. You can read the page like a regular text document with the keyboard arrows, or use shortcuts single letter keys for instant transition between site elements:

• H — go to the next heading (number combinations 1, 2, 3…9 move through the heading levels).
• K — go to the next link.
• F — move to the next form field (input field, button, checkbox).
• B — move to the next button.
• T — go to the next table.
• L — go to the next list.
• I — go to the next list item.
• D — go to the next landmark on the page.
• W — move to the next spelling error in the text.
• P — go to the next text paragraph (allows you to skip ads, banners, and site menus).
• Shift + any of these letters — returns navigation back to the previous element of this type.
• NVDA + F7 — opens List of page elements (a convenient window that brings together all the links, titles, or buttons on a website for quick search).

Interaction with input fields: If you need to enter text into a search field or form, press the key Enter or Gap — NVDA will make a characteristic sound and go to Focus mode. To return to normal reading of the site, press the key Escape.

6. Working with Braille and visual aids

• If a braille display is connected to your computer, NVDA automatically detects the device in the background and translates text to it using the built-in LibLouis translator.
• The program supports the function «"Screen Curtain": using a combination NVDA + Ctrl + Escape You can completely turn off/darken your computer screen for privacy purposes, so that outsiders cannot see personal data while the user is receiving information through headphones or Braille.

7. Add-on Store

The functionality of the program is freely expandable. To find new tools or update voice subsystems, open the NVDA Menu (NVDA + N) > select «"Tools"» (Tools) > «"Add-on Store"» (Add-on Store). Use the Tab and arrow keys to select, download, and install add-ons created by the international developer community. Be sure to restart NVDA after installing add-ons.