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Windows Narrator Screen Reader | Free NDIS Accessibility Tool

Windows Narrator Screen Reader | Free NDIS Accessibility Tool

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Designed with You in Mind

  • Total Computer Access: Reads on-screen text, emails, and websites aloud, allowing blind users to operate a Windows PC independently without a mouse.
  • Scan Mode Navigation: innovative feature that simplifies browsing and app usage, allowing users to navigate complex interfaces using simple arrow keys.
  • Braille Integration: Fully compatible with refreshable braille displays, supporting deafblind users or those who prefer tactile reading alongside audio.
  • Zero Additional Cost: Built directly into Windows 10 and 11, eliminating the need for expensive third-party licenses and ensuring accessibility on any modern PC.
  • Customisable Experience: Users can adjust voice speed, pitch, and verbosity to create a personalized listening environment that reduces cognitive load.
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Unlock digital independence with Windows Narrator. This advanced screen-reading application is built directly into Windows 10 and 11, providing a powerful piece of assistive technology for NDIS participants with blindness, low vision, or print disabilities—at no extra cost.

In the past, accessing a computer required purchasing expensive screen reading software. Narrator removes this barrier. It reads text, buttons, and window elements aloud, allowing users to navigate their PC, browse the web, and write emails completely mouse-free. With features like Scan Mode and Braille Display compatibility, it transforms a standard PC into a fully accessible workstation.

How This Technology Supports NDIS Participants

Digital Inclusion & Independence: Narrator enables users to perform essential daily tasks—such as online banking, MyGov access, and social networking—privately and independently, reducing reliance on sighted support.

Economic Participation (Work & Study): As a robust tool integrated into the world's most common operating system, proficiency in Narrator builds the skills necessary for employment and higher education.

Tactile & Auditory Support: By supporting Refreshable Braille Displays, it caters to Deafblind users or those who prefer tactile reading. The customizable text-to-speech voices reduce listening fatigue during long sessions.

Zero-Cost Accessibility: Because it is built-in, there is no software license to buy or renew. This allows NDIS funding to be prioritized for hardware (computers), training, or other assistive technology needs.

Key Features & Benefits

Scan Mode: Simplifies navigation by allowing users to move through apps and webpages using just the up and down arrow keys, mimicking the ease of mobile device navigation.
Braille Display Ready: Seamlessly connects to supported braille hardware to provide tactile output of on-screen text.
Intelligent Web Browsing: Allows users to jump between headings, links, and landmarks, making it easy to skim complex websites for information.
Customizable Voices: Adjust speed, pitch, and volume to suit your auditory processing needs, ensuring the "voice" of your computer is comfortable to listen to.
Immediate Access: No installation required. Simply press Windows Logo Key + Ctrl + Enter on any modern Windows PC to launch it immediately.

NDIS Funding Information

While the software itself is free, NDIS funding is often used for the hardware (computer) or training to use it.

  • Capital - Assistive Technology: 05_220300911_0124_1_2 (Communication and Information Equipment - Computer/Laptop)

  • Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living: Applicable for claiming training services to learn how to use Narrator.

We strongly recommend consulting with an Assistive Technology Mentor to arrange training, as mastering screen reader shortcuts is a learned skill.

Meticulous Specifications

  • Product Type: Screen Reading Software (Built-in)

  • Operating System: Windows 10, Windows 11

  • Cost: Free (Included with OS)

  • Input Methods: Keyboard, Touch, Braille Display, Mouse

  • Output: Text-to-Speech (TTS), Braille

  • Navigation Modes: Standard, Scan Mode

  • Key Command: Windows + Ctrl + Enter (To Start/Stop)

  • Web Support: Edge, Chrome, Firefox

Package Includes

  • Note: This is a built-in feature of Windows.

  • 1 x Windows Narrator (Pre-installed)

  • 1 x Narrator Quick Start Guide (Digital)

Windows Narrator is a specialized Assistive Technology software integrated into the Windows operating system. It is designed to assist NDIS participants with blindness, low vision, or print disabilities to access digital information.

How This Item Can Support NDIS Goals

This technology directly supports NDIS goals related to economic participation, education, and independent living by:

Enabling Digital Access: It provides the essential interface required to operate a computer, allowing the participant to manage their NDIS plan, finances, and correspondence privately.

Facilitating Employment: Proficiency with Narrator allows participants to use standard office software (Word, Outlook, Edge), equipping them with the skills needed for the workforce.

Promoting Social Inclusion: It ensures the participant can access the internet and social media platforms, reducing isolation and fostering community connection.

Meeting 'Reasonable & Necessary' Criteria

This solution aligns with NDIS criteria as an exceptional value-for-money assistive technology. As a free, built-in platform, it provides robust accessibility without consuming budget that can be used for other supports.

Some products are shipped through authorised logistics partners, including Amazon. Your purchase is always with LowCost AT, and we remain your responsible Australian supplier and NDIS registered provider.

Assistive Benefit: Integrated screen reader for Windows; enables blind users to control PC via speech/Braille.

NDIS Category: Capital (Hardware) / Capacity Building (Training).

OS: Windows 10/11. Cost: Free.

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