how to install NVDA

When you downloaded NVDA from http://www.nvda-project.org/wiki/Download please open the downloaded.exe file. Windows will ask you "do you really want to install this program on this computer?" please click "yes" to continue. In the next step you have to agree to the terms of the program. Please activate the checkbox "i accept" and go on with the tab-key. Now, you have three different possibilities to install the program:

1. "create a portable version", which is very useful if you want to take NVDA everywhere were you go and need it. The setup will create a copy of NVDA on a USB-Drive. That means, you can take the Hard-Drive with you and if you want to use another computer were is not any screen reader installed, put your USB-Drive in the USB- Port. When the drive is recognized by the computer, click on the "NVDA.exe" file and have fun to work with it! Maybe a person, which is able to see, should help you to click on the .exe file.

2. "still running NVDA" chose this, if you want to test the new version before finally installing or taking it on an USB-Drive. The setup assistent will close and the version is running from the downloaded .exe file! That means, you can test the version first, and if you don't like it, just close it and open your older installed version or your favourite screen reader! You can close the program by pressing NVDA key (it's the same like Jaws key) + the letter q. Please confirm the following dialogue with enter. The screen reader will close. You'll know that because when the program ends or starts, you'll hear a special sound.

3. "install on this computer" will install the program on your computer. After you click this, another setup assistant will open. Following its instructions and the installation will not take much time.

If you have NVDA allready installed on your computer, but want to take it with you on an usb drive, please go in the NVDA menu and click "tools." there you'll find a feature called "create a portable version" chose this and a dialogue will open were you can chose the drive were the version should be installed. This is another great possibility to take your screen reader with you and show all your people what a blind or disabled person can do with NVDA!

What is NVDA doing with my computer?

NVDA reads the screen out in speech and makes it so possible for blind users to write documents or surf in the internet. For example, when you have written an Word document, NVDA can tell you what in this document is written. When you open a website, the program will tell you what you'll find on this website. Pictures can not been read by NVDA yet. The most important thing is though, that blind and visually impaired people have access to Microsoft Office-programs, mail clients and web pages like all the other people without any disabilities.

NVDA? what is that?

To use a computer, you need to install NVDA (Noon Visual Desktop Access). It is a free screen reader, which was developed in Australia.

There are many other screen readers like Jaws or Window Eyes, but I'll show you NVDA, because it's free and anyone who wants to try it, can easily download it. The newest version is 2013.1beta1, which is available for windows 8 as well!

This screen reader is still being developed. The developers started this project in 2006. At the moment Jaws, which is another screen reader and not free as well, is in different tasks better to use than NVDA. For example:

If you want to create a diagram in Microsoft Excel or a .dot file in Microsoft Word.

So if you can't afford a software like Jaws and want to read texts, webpages and more, NVDA will be the right choice for you!

introduction

When you ask folks "Is it possible to use a computer and the Internet when you're blind?" The answer you will hear is "no, it isn't." In this Blog, I'll tell you how a blind person can use the computer and the internet as well. If you have some opinions or thoughts about this Blog, please comment my Posts. It would be very nice to read your opinions about it!

Have fun!