Making your computer speak using Linux

Linux Gnome

  • Click on the ‘ Applications ‘ menu and then click on ‘ Preferences ‘ or press ‘ Alt ‘ + ‘ F1 ‘ and then use the ‘ down ‘ arrow key to highlight ‘ Preferences ‘ .
  • Click on or hover the mouse over ‘Accessibility’ and then click on ‘Assistive Technology support’ or use the ‘ right’ arrow key to highlight ‘Accessibility’ and then the ‘ right ‘ arrow key again to bring up the ‘ Accessibility ‘ sub menu and then press the ‘ down ‘ arrow until ‘Assistive Technology support’ is selected and then press ‘ Enter ‘.
  • This will open the ‘ Assistive Technology Preferences ‘ property box
  • If is not already checked, click on the checkbox next to ‘ Enable assistive technologies’ or press ‘ Tab’ until it is highlighted and press the ‘ Spacebar’ to check it.
  • Click on the ‘ Screenreader’ checkbox or press ‘ Tab’ until it is highlighted and press the ‘ Spacebar’ to check it.
  • Click ”Close’ or press ‘ Enter’ to return to the Gnome desktop.
  • You will need to ‘ logoff ‘ and then ‘ log-in’ again for the screen reader to start.

To use the screen reader in Gnome versions 2.1 or newer

  • Click on the ‘ System’ menu and then click on ‘ Preferences ‘ or press ‘ Alt ‘ + ‘ F1′ to access the application menu and then press the ‘ right ‘ arrow until ‘ System’ menu is highlighted and then press the ‘ down ‘ arrow until ‘ Preferences ‘ is highlighted.

You can also find help with making your computer speak on these other operating systems:

For Windows, For Mac.

Back to Accessibility.

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