SECTION B: ALTERNATE OUTPUT


B1. SCREEN MAGNIFIERS

     These are programs which magnify text, text and graphics, or 
text, graphics and Windows applications, by factors sometimes as 
high as 32-fold. They generally offer two modes - a viewing or 
panning mode that allows you to move around the screen and view 
existing text or graphics, and a "writing" mode where the 
magnified region is centered on the cursor (or mouse pointer). 
Most allow either manual and/or automatic panning.

     Some magnification programs do not have a continuous panning 
option. This can be a distinct nuisance if you use a program that 
advances a complete document page rather than to the next screen 
when you press the "Page Down" key.


  a) LP-DOS ($495 U.S.)
     Optelec U.S., Inc.
     1-800-828-1056
     Canada: Optelec Canada
             1-800-665-3005 or (514) 677-1171

     - demo available [*]
     - text, graphics and Windows application magnification up to 
          16x
     - variable panning speed
     - various panning modes, including single-line and 
          continuous panning
     - hot-key and menu controlled
     - colour control and customization

     System requirements: 286SX, EGA monitor/video card, DOS 3.x, 
                          Windows 3.x

     (NOTE: LP-DOS offers many features and options, but is 
     fairly difficult to learn to use efficiently. Though some 
     menus are offered, it seems to have been designed to be used 
     primarily with various hotkey combinations, and there are a 
     large number to remember. Automatic panning is smooth at all 
     magnifications, but controlling the speed of panning is 
     difficult. While most screen magnifiers will only pan one 
     screen at a time, LP-DOS allows continuous panning of a 
     document from beginning to end.)

     (NOTE: AccessDOS remains functional if LP-DOS is loaded, 
     but, if left enabled, certain hotkey combinations will not 
     produce the expected result.)


  b) MAGic ($79 U.S.)
     Microsystems Software, Inc.
     1-800-828-2600 or (508) 626-8511

     - demo available [*]
     - text, graphics and Windows applications magnification up 
          to 2x
     - hot-key controlled
     - variable panning speed
     - automatic tracking of cursor, mouse movement, Windows 
          objects
     - video reverse (colour and black and white)
     - cursor enlargement with variable or no blinking
     - online help

     System requirements: 286SX, 11K RAM, VGA monitor/video card,
                          DOS 4.x, Windows 3.x
     Includes: large print manual, quick reference card

     (NOTE: MAGic allows only 2x magnifications, but if that is 
     all you need, it is an excellent value. Automatic panning is 
     smooth and speed is easily controlled, but one has to 
     advance manually from one screen to the next, and single-
     line panning is not an option. Options are controlled by 
     hotkeys, but as there are relatively few options, they are 
     easily remembered. MAGic appears to be fully compatible with 
     AccessDOS, and may be configured to run with DragonDictate 
     so that the choice list is always centered on the screen, 
     whereas, with other screen magnifiers, the choice list is 
     often only partially visible.)


  c) MAGic Deluxe ($295 U.S.)
     Microsystems Software, Inc.
     1-800-828-2600 or (508) 626-8511

     - demo available [*]
     - text magnification up to 12x 
     - graphics magnification up to 2x
     - Windows magnification up to 8x
     - contains all of MAGic's features (see separate entry)
     - 8 direction panning with variable panning speed
     - smooth fonts to increase readability above 4x
     - locator function provides location within normal sized 
          screen

     System requirements: 286SX, 15K RAM, VGA monitor/video card,
                          DOS 4.x, Windows 3.1x
     Includes: large print manual, quick reference card

     (NOTE: Above 2x automatic panning is not particularly 
     smooth)


  d) Magnum GT ($295 U.S.)
     Artic Technologies International, Inc.
     (810) 588-7370
     Canada: Frontier Computing
             (416) 489-6690

     - demo available
     - text, graphics and Windows magnification up to 8x 
     - high speed screen updates
     - accurate cursor tracking
     - menu and hotkey operation
     - bar tracking mode
     - split screen modes
     - screen playback function
     - smooth scrolling
     - natural colour support
     - context sensitive online help

     System requirements: 286SX, VGA monitor/video card, DOS 4.x, 
                          Windows 3.1


  e) Magnum Deluxe ($495 U.S.)
     Artic Technologies International, Inc.
     810-588-7370
     Canada: Frontier Computing
             (416) 489-6690

     - demo available
     - up to 32x magnification in Windows
     - supports VGA and SVGA
     - contains all of Magnum GT's features (see separate entry)
     - greater number of magnification levels than Magnum GT (see 
          separate entry)
     - enhanced tracking in Windows
     - variable speed panning and scrolling
     - context sensitive online help

     System requirements: 286SX, VGA monitor/video card, DOS 4.x, 
                          Windows 3.1


  f) Panorama ($395 Cdn.)
     Syntha-Voice Computers, Inc.
     (905) 662-0565 (inquiries)
     1-800-263-4540 (orders) 

     - no other information presently available

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 4.x


  g) Panorama Window Bridge ($650 Cdn.)
     Syntha-Voice Computers, Inc.
     (905) 662-0565 (inquiries)
     1-800-263-4540 (orders) 

     - no other information presently available

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 4.x, Windows 3.1x


  h) Vista 
     TeleSensory
     1-800-227-8418 or (415) 960-0920     
     Canada: The Betacom Group
             (905) 629-1811

     - text and graphics magnification up to 16x in DOS and
           Windows
     - completely mouse controlled 
     - images/text can be stretched taller or wider 
     - automatic scrolling and cursor tracking
     - 6 different presentation views
     - uses own circuit card and 3-button mouse for control (no 
          conflict with keyboard)

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 4.x, Windows 3.1x
     Includes: circuit board, 3-button mouse which connects 
               directly to circuit board, built-in video adapter


  i) ZoomText ($495 U.S.)
     Ai Squared
     (802) 362-3612
     Canada: Frontier Computing
             (416) 489-6690

     - demo available [*]
     - text magnification up to 16x 
     - 11 magnification sizes
     - 3 smooth-edged fonts available in all magnification sizes
     - automatic tracking of cursor, mouse and menu bar movement
     - magnified pop-up menu, hot-key and command line parameter 
          control
     - 5 zooming modes, including single line zooming
     - 4 justifications control scrolling of text during tracking
     - smooth panning of magnified window
     - 16 panning speeds
     - reverse and repeat panning options
     - complete colour control with 16 selectable foreground and 
          background colours

     System requirements: 286SX, EGA monitor/video card, DOS 2.x


  j) ZoomText Plus ($595 U.S.)
     Ai Squared
     (802) 362-3612
     Canada: Frontier Computing
             (416) 489-6690

     - demo available [*]
     - text, graphics and Windows application magnification up to 
          16x
     - contains all of ZoomText's features (see separate entry)
     - tracking of mouse movement, text entry, menu and button 
          selection
     - optional independent selection of horizontal and vertical 
          magnification from 1x to 8x in Windows
     - mouse or keyboard controlled navigation in Windows
     - smooth scrolling in review mode with adjustable speed and 
          direction

     System requirements: 286SX, VGA monitor/video card, DOS 2.x, 
                          Windows 3.x

     (NOTE: ZoomText Plus offers most of the same features as
     LP-DOS (except continuous document panning), but the 
     interface is based primarily on menus making it, in our 
     opinion, more user friendly. If used with AccessDOS, 
     ZoomText Plus must be loaded first.)


****************************************************************
NOTE: TeleSensory and Optelec also sell both black and white, and 
colour CCTV systems that will magnify any printed or written 
material on a TV screen. TeleSensory's CCTV systems can be 
coupled to a computer monitor with "Lynx" hardware and software.
****************************************************************

ADDENDUM

     Vortex 
     Tenax Software Engineering

     This is the prototype of a Windows computer-assisted reading 
     program intended primarily for people with reading or 
     learning disabilities. The present version reads ASCII text 
     files one word at a time. Its ability to use large fonts 
     combined with single word presentation may make it a useful 
     reading aid for someone with low vision.

     - demo available ($7) [*]
     - provides choice of font and font size
     - onscreen user modifiable reading speed

     System requirements: 386SX, DOS 2.x, Windows 3.x




B2. SCREEN READERS (aka. "Screen Access")

     These are highly specialized programs that will read, 
through the intermediary of a speech synthesizer, what is on a 
computer screen. Their capabilities are not all the same. Some 
are intended primarily for reading text in DOS, while others are 
capable of identifying icons and other objects in Windows. All 
require a speech synthesizer or Braille output device. Some come 
as a complete package including a speech synthesizer, while 
others require the separate purchase of a synthesizer. Many 
manufacturers sell packages combining their programs with a 
choice of speech synthesizers. See section B5 for more 
information on speech synthesizers.

     Most screen readers offer two or more operating "modes" 
which include a basic or "application" mode and a "review" mode. 
The application mode allows the user to enter text or data 
directly into an application such as a word processor or 
spreadsheet. It will tell the speech synthesizer to echo either 
the individual keystrokes or the words as they are entered. In 
this mode they have a limited capacity to review text near the 
cursor location.

     The review mode is intended for reading preexisting text and 
generally offers greater flexibility in choosing reading options. 
In review mode, the screen reader uses its own independent cursor 
to navigate the screen. This allows the user to leave the 
application cursor undisturbed and thus return to the previous 
location on exit, or through a hotkey. Most also allow the 
application cursor to be moved to the location of the independent 
cursor to facilitate correction of errors discovered on review. 

     Some screen readers have a separate control mode where 
options can be changed; others combine it with the review mode.

     Most DOS screen readers use the right hand home row keys as 
a reference for "reading keys". This means that the various 
options for how information is read can be accessed by using the 
home row keys and the keys both above and below. This helps to 
make it easier to access the options without getting lost or 
using the wrong key. Some programs allow these reading options to 
be remapped to other keys. 

The following is a brief definition of some of the terms 
encountered in the screen reader product specifications:

"Application cursor" refers to the normal cursor in the 
application you are using. For example, if you are writing a 
letter with a word processor, the application cursor will be 
located where you are currently entering text.

"Independent cursor" refers to a secondary cursor provided 
by the screen reader which allows you to navigate through the 
document and read selected portions, without disturbing the 
application cursor. Most allow you to press a hotkey that 
will return the independent cursor to the position of the 
application cursor, or vice versa.

"Windows" (in the context of a DOS screen reader), also 
called  "zones", refer to areas of the screen that can be 
defined to be read differently from the rest of the screen. 
Some may be designated "silent" or "quiet" windows so that 
information appearing in them will not be read. 

A "configuration" refers to a set of user-defined parameters   
dictating how text will be read. Options might include choice 
of voice (if synthesizer offers more than one), tone, pitch, 
speed, whether or not punctuation is spoken, whether words 
are spoken or spelled out, etc. A typical user will probably 
want to store several configurations for use in different 
situation or with different applications.

A "lexicon" or dictionary allows the user to modify the  
pronunciation of words or abbreviations that the synthesizer 
consistently has difficult with.


I) DOS Screen Readers

  a) ASAP Soft ($525 U.S.)
     MicroTalk
     (903) 832-3471

     - demo available [*]
     - user modifiable lexicon for pronunciation of proper
           names, acronyms, etc.
     - no limit on number of words which can be added to lexicon
     - automatic determination of appropriate text to speak by 
          observing application's reaction to commands
     - automatic detection of light bars, soft cursors, pop-up 
          windows, etc.
     - instant silence function
     - turbo browse allows user to skip over parts of a document 
          or program display
     - quick review allows user to look at any part of the 
          screen, obtain spellings, etc. by using the numeric 
          keypad
     - ability to access any review command without leaving the 
          home row
     - single command reading of entire document
     - automatic column detection and ability to restrict reading 
          to particular column
     - supports most speech synthesizers

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 3.x, 35K RAM, supported 
                          speech synthesizer
     Available with DoubleTalk internal synthesizer ($795 U.S.)
     Available with LiteTalk external synthesizer ($895 U.S.)


  b) Business Vision ($495 U.S.)
     Artic Technologies International, Inc.
     (810) 588-7370
     Canada: Frontier Computing
             (416) 489-6690

     - demo available
     - full-time technical support hot-line
     - compatible with most standard DOS application programs 
          with little or no setup
     - high accuracy text-to-speech translator with pronunciation 
          rules for conversational English
     - user modifiable personal dictionary for unusual word
           pronunciations
     - dictionary manager
     - visual and spoken menu system
     - separate screen and keyboard voices
     - user definable speech function keys
     - 128 programmable speech windows
     - 10 quiet windows and alt key silence function
     - 10 automatic monitoring zones with user selectable 
          response
     - multiple application cursor tracking options
     - supports most speech synthesizers


     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 3.x, supported speech 
                          synthesizer
     Includes: tape, disk and print manual, function key labels, 
               Artic calculator program
     Available with SynPhonix internal synthesizer ($895 U.S.)
     Available with DECtalk internal synthesizer ($1695 U.S.)


  c) Flipper ($395 U.S.)
     Omnichron
     (510) 540-6455

     - demo available [*]
     - reads text features such as color and inverse video
     - search mode allowing for text and video attribute search 
     - optional pronunciation of capitals, pronunciation of
           digits separately or as numbers
     - ability to screen a row for changes and read it for 
          changes
     - quiet windows and alt key silence function
     - automatic monitoring zones with user selectable response
     - review mode with quick key access to customization and 
          function control
     - user redefinable reading and command keys
     - up to 32 configurations can be loaded into memory at one 
          time with quick switching between configurations
     - online help 
     - supports most speech synthesizers including SoundBlaster
          compatible sound cards running SmoothTalker (see 
          separate entry)

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 3.x, supported speech 
                          synthesizer
     Includes: Braille, audio cassette, disk and print manual


  d) JAWS
     Henter-Joyce Inc.
     1-800-336-5658 or (813) 528-8900

     - standard keyboard layout for all modes
     - all reading keys can be redefined (default setting uses
           numeric keypad)
     - one key quick access to menus
     - user modifiable dictionary 
     - automatic cursor tracking and movement error notification
     - supports variety of reading options
     - browse feature allows user to skip over parts of document
           or program display 
     - supports most speech synthesizers

     System requirements: 286SX, supported speech synthesizer
     Includes: interactive tutorial, training tapes, audio 
               cassette, disk and print manual


  e) MasterTouch ($495 U.S.)
     HumanWare Inc.
     1-800-722-3393 or (916) 652-7253

     - menu driven
     - automatic detection of screen changes, warning prompts, 
          highlight bars, pull-down menus, pop-up windows, etc.
     - automatic reading of windows without customization
     - 30 user definable windows
     - user controlled keyboard echo and punctuation options
     - all command keys can be redefined
     - key labeling allows user to give an application dependent 
          name to a key combination that will be spoken upon 
          pressing that combination
     - automatic loading of user customized application 
          configurations upon program startup
     - context-sensitive online help
     - supports most speech synthesizers
     - supports "touch tablets"

     System requirements: supported speech synthesizer
     Includes: print, disk and audio cassette manual
     Available separately: MasterTouch Tablet ($395 U.S.)
     Available with Keynote GOLD synthesizer ($1440 U.S.)
     Available with Keynote GOLD synthesizer and 
          MasterTouch Tablet ($1795 U.S.)
     Available with Keynote GOLD SA synthesizer ($1740 U.S.)
     Available with Keynote GOLD SA synthesizer and 
          MasterTouch Tablet ($2095 U.S.) 


  f) Personal Vert II
     TeleSensory
     1-800-227-8418 or (415) 960-0920     
     Canada: The Betacom Group
             (905) 629-1811

     - demo available
     - up to 600 spoken words per minute
     - keyboard and screen event macros
     - customizable pronunciation dictionary
     - automated monitoring system
     - pop-up speech options menu
     - silent windows to suppress audio output
     - adjustable speaking speed, volume and pitch
     - online help
     - compatible with a wide variety of text-based software
     - optional foreign languages available

     System requirements: 286SX, expansion slot
     Includes: internal speech synthesizer, headphones, speaker,
               print and cassette manual, braille command summary
     Available with external speech synthesizer 


  g) PROTALK ($560 U.S.)
     Biolink Computer R & D Ltd.
     (604) 984-4099

     - demo available
     - automatic detection of pop-up and overlaying windows,
           tables, columns, cells, highlighted bars, reveal 
          codes, spell checking, screen size changes
     - does not interfere with time-dependent application
          functions such as autosave, file transfer, etc.
     - occupies less than 12K in memory while operating
     - supports most speech synthesizers

     System requirements: 386SX, DOS 3.3x, 640K RAM, supported 
                          speech synthesizer


  h) PROVOX
     KANSYS, Inc.
     1-800-279-4880 or (913) 843-0351

     - demo available
     - automatic reconfiguration upon application switching
     - supports dedicated numeric keypad review
     - supports dual mode direct and review operation
     - does not conflict with other software key assignments
     - 2 automatic monitoring zones
     - 4 quiet zones
     - monitors screen activity
     - describes extended graphics characters on screen
     - offers phonetic spelling to aid speech recognition
     - supports EGA and VGA displays
     - supports most speech synthesizers

     System requirements: 286SX, 32K RAM, DOS 5.x
     Includes: online searchable manual, online training
     Available assembler source code (no cost)


  i) Screen Reader/DOS ($500 U.S.)
     IBM Corporation
     1-800-426-2133 (inquiries)
     1-800-426-3388 (orders)
     Canada: IBM Canada Ltd.
             1-800-465-1234 or (416) 946-9000    

     - automated screen monitoring system which alerts user when 
          changes occur
     - user defined pronunciation dictionary for acronyms, 
          abbreviations, etc.
     - optional reading of complete screens, paragraphs, 
          sentences, words, individual characters
     - contains customized profiles for most popular programs
     - profile access language for creating new profiles and 
          modifying existing ones
     - program functions can be controlled from keyboard or from 
          dedicated 18-key keypad
     - supports most speech synthesizers

     System requirements: 286SX, 512K RAM, supported speech 
                          synthesizer, serial port, DOS 3.3x,
                          Screen Reader Adapter card, expansion
                          slot
     Dedicated 18-key keypad and required cable ($123 U.S.)
     Screen Reader Adapter card ($120 U.S.)
     Available Braille documentation ($75 U.S.)


  j) ScreenPower Speech
     TeleSensory
     1-800-227-8418 or (415) 960-0920     
     Canada: The Betacom Group
             (905) 629-1811

     - demo available
     - command and menu driven
     - extensive macro language 
     - single command access to reading options and customization    
          menu
     - supports most speech synthesizers

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 3.3x
     Includes: audio cassette, braille, disk and print
               documentation
     Available with DECtalk PC, speakers and headphones 
     Available with Pulse Data External, speakers and headphones 


  k) Slimware Screen Review ($495 Cdn.)
     Syntha-Voice Computers, Inc.
     (905) 662-0565 (inquiries)
     1-800-263-4540 (orders) 
     
     - demo available
     - no other information presently available
     - supports most speech synthesizers

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 4.x
     Includes: Audio cassette tutorial

     (NOTE: Powerama combines Slimware Screen Review with 
     Panorama, a screen magnification program (see separate 
     entry). $650 Cdn.)


  l) Soft Vert
     TeleSensory
     1-800-227-8418 or (415) 960-0920     
     Canada: The Betacom Group
             (905) 629-1811

     - demo available
     - keyboard and screen event macros
     - customizable pronunciation dictionary
     - automated monitoring system
     - pop-up speech options menu
     - silent windows to suppress audio output
     - adjustable speaking speed, volume and pitch
     - optional foreign languages available
     - online help
     - compatible with a wide variety of text-based software
     - supports most speech synthesizers

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 3.x, supported speech
                          synthesizer
     Includes: print and audio cassette manual, braille command 
               summary
     Available as Vert Plus with internal synthesizer, speaker
          and headphones 
     Available as Vert Pro with DECtalk synthesizer, speaker with 
          volume control, headphones   


  m) TinyTalk Personal ($75 U.S.)
     OMS Development
     (708) 251-5787

     - available as Shareware [*]
     - entry-level screen reader
     - silent windows to suppress audio output
     - automatic screen monitoring windows
     - automatic cursor tracking
     - optional pronunciation of punctuation
     - optional speaking of keystrokes as words or letters
     - reads text features such as inverse video and announces 
          video attribute changes
     - user definable hotkeys
     - independent cursor for screen review
     - key labeling allows user to give an application dependent
          name to a key or key combination that will be spoken 
          upon pressing that key combination
     - user definable audible warnings for various occurrences 
          such as typing past the right margin
     - up to 30 configurations can be loaded into memory at one 
          time
     - quick switching between configurations
     - allows control of speech synthesizer's rate, volume,
           pitch, tone 
     - supports most speech synthesizers including SoundBlaster 
          compatible sound cards running SmoothTalker (see 
          separate entry)

     System requirements: 286SX, 27K RAM, DOS 3.x, supported 
                          speech synthesizer

     (NOTE: This program is intended primarily for beginners and 
     is a good program to use for someone with relatively 
     unsophisticated needs. It is straightforward and easy to
     learn and provides a good, inexpensive introduction to 
     screen reader programs. Furthermore, since it can be 
     obtained as shareware it can be used to evaluate an 
     individual's needs and aid in determining what requirements 
     and features to look for if a more advanced screen reader 
     program is needed.)


  n) VocalEyes ($450 U.S.)
     GW Micro, Inc.
     (219) 483-3625 
     
     - demo available [*]
     - pull-down menu controlled
     - over 60 user programmable hotkeys for speech features
     - auto reading of entire document with a single command
     - 46 cursoring keys
     - 10 "hyperactive" windows for automatic screen monitoring
     - 10 standard and 40 extended windows
     - hotkey current window read function
     - quick key movement between windows
     - instant silence function
     - screen cut and paste function
     - read screens by paragraph, sentence, line, word, 
          individual character
     - software control of speech rate, pitch, tone, volume and 
          punctuation
     - independent control of screen and keyboard voice options
     - numbers can be read as digits or complete numbers
     - automatic tracking of boxes and lightbars
     - capitalization and format alert
     - user defined exception dictionary for mispronounced words
     - character dictionary to define pronunciation of 
          individual characters
     - key label dictionary to define keypress pronunciations 
     - autoloading of desired voice environment
     - online help
     - compatible with most large print programs
     - supports most speech synthesizers

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 3.x, 54K RAM, supported 
                          speech synthesizer
     Includes: large print, disk and audio cassette manual
     Available with Sounding Board and headphones ($795 U.S.)
     Available with Speak-Out and headphones ($1040 U.S.)
     Available with DECtalk and headphones ($1595 U.S.)
     
     (Note: There is a special version of Vocal-Eyes for use with 
     the dictation programs DragonDictate and VoiceType.  The 
     combination allows both voice input and output. $500 U.S.)


II) Windows Screen Readers

  a) outSpoken for Windows ($595 U.S.)
     Berkeley Systems
     (510) 540-5535

     - demo available [*]
     - unlimited free telephone technical support
     - uses mouse pointer as screen review cursor
     - keyboard-driven pointer navigation system using built-in 
          Windows commands
     - read line, word, character, graphic, window, menu, dialog 
          box
     - restricts reading to current window
     - quick switching between windows using hierarchical window 
          menu
     - track and announce all changes of highlighting and focus
     - understands complex layouts and allows user to read 
          through list boxes, group boxes, and other graphically 
          grouped controls
     - range of notification options for windows, dialog boxes, 
          and menus
     - notify user of newly activated controls, windows, and 
          applications
     - announce menus as they open and close
     - 4 different user-adjustable voices for speaking text, 
          graphics, system events, highlighted items
     - 7 options for keyboard echo, including characters, words,
          modifiers
     - adjustable graphics feedback to determine which graphics 
          should be announced
     - user adjustable punctuation pronunciation
     - variety of modes for tracking cursor movements and 
          speaking changes of highlight
     - announce information about font size, style, and attribute 
          for text
     - automatic announcement of new cursor shapes, such as 
          "hourglass" (the Windows' wait/working cursor)
     - find command to move pointer to specific piece of text, 
          text attribute, or graphic
     - reads DOS sessions opened within Windows
     - compatible with most DOS screen readers
     - supports all video modes and colour schemes
     - supports most speech synthesizers

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 3.x, Windows 3.1x, supported 
                          speech synthesizer
     Includes: disk, audio cassette, Braille, and print manual, 
               tactile diagrams illustrating Microsoft Windows 
               concepts and situations


  b) PROTALK for Windows ($895 U.S.)
     Biolink Computer R & D Ltd.
     (604) 984-4099

     - demo available
     - supports text, data and graphic input and object placing
     - fully automated
     - provides multiple read-out hotkeys applicable to all 
          application programs using the numeric keypad
     - supports most Windows applications
     - supports most speech synthesizers or multimedia digital 
          sound cards

     System requirements: 386SX, DOS 5.x, Windows 3.x, 4 MB RAM,
                          supported speech synthesizer

     (NOTE: KCC has tested a demo version of PROTALK for Windows 
     and found that its reading with use of a multimedia sound 
     card is more comprehensible and of higher quality than 
     Monologue's (see separate entry). However installation was 
     awkward due to difficulty in accessing the on disk document 
     files.)


  c) Slimware Window Bridge ($795 Cdn.)
     Syntha-Voice Computers, Inc.
     (905) 662-0565 (inquiries)
     1-800-263-4540 (orders)

     - demo available
     - toll free customer support hotline
     - provides full access to both DOS and Windows applications 
          using the same commands
     - operates transparently with any application (all options, 
          customizations, etc. accessible without leaving current 
          application) with no keyboard or command conflicts
     - keyboard or menu controlled
     - user-definable command menu
     - automatic readout of prompts, screen messages and window 
          titles
     - automatic identification of font style, point-size, 
          screen attributes, current window selection
     - single command access to location prompt
     - automatic tracking of highlighted menus
     - keyboard control of mouse pointer
     - read screens by character, word, line, sentence, 
          paragraph, window, or icon
     - list all of the icons visible on the screen
     - navigate between icons or move to specific icon with 
          single command
     - analyzes screen presentation in search of graphically 
          bordered Windows without having to predefine their 
          location and size
     - online tutorials and manual
     - context sensitive online help
     - supports most speech synthesizers 
     - supports use of multilingual synthesizers
     - additional features include: alarm & appointment 
          scheduler, notepad, telephone & address book, 
          Financial, Hexadecimal, Scientific, and Metric 
          Conversion Calculator, Icon library

     System requirements: 386SX, 4 MB RAM, 4 MB disk space, 
                          DOS 4.x, Windows 3.x, EGA monitor/video 
                          card
     Includes: audio cassette tutorial

     (NOTE: Powerama Window Bridge combines Slimware Window 
     Bridge with Panorama Window Bridge, a screen magnification 
     program (see separate entry). $950 Cdn.)


  d) WinVision ($495 U.S.)
     Artic Technologies International, Inc.
     (810) 588-7370
     Canada: Frontier Computing
             (416) 489-6690

     - demo available
     - automatic speaking of dialogue boxes when they appear on 
          screen
     - automatic tracking of pull-down menus, scroll bars, 
          buttons, icons with text labels
     - optional reading of check-off boxes, font information
     - provides mouse cursor tracking and dragging via mouse or 
          keyboard
     - provides speech windows, multiple screen reads, other 
          standard screen review features
     - allows control of speech synthesizer's rate, volume,
           pitch, tone and number processing from within Windows
     - online help
     - supports 256 colour video drivers, multiple video 
          resolutions, and many Windows accelerator cards
     - supports most speech synthesizers

     System requirements: 286SX, DOS 3.x, Windows 3.x, Business
                          Vision (see separate entry), supported
                          speech synthesizer
     Available with DECtalk internal synthesizer ($1995 U.S.)


[NOTE: Many multimedia sound cards now offer speech synthesis. 
However, these programs are designed for general use and may not 
provide convenient navigation tools for someone who is disabled. 
See Section B7, subsection III for more information.]

