Slide2-4 Screen Readers

A screen reader is a software application that converts the text displayed on a computer screen into synthesized speech. Text-to-speech capabilities are a vital component of Artificial inTelligence (AI) Assistants, such as Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa, which talk with users by converting their replies into digital speech.

Screen Reader Use Cases

Screen readers are a specific use case of text-to-speech technology that improve accessibility for people with visual disabilities. There are many options for screen readers. Some are intended for use with different operating systems and applications; some are free and open source; others are commercial software. Screen readers are able to look for and process any kind of text that is displayed on the screen of a computer or mobile device, including website content, icon labels, documents, spreadsheets, file menus and more. The user can adjust settings such as the speed and volume of the speech.
To learn more see:
Wikipedia: List Of Screen Readers
WebAIM: Screen Reader User Survey

Using The JAWS Screen Reader

The Freedom Scientific JAWS screen reader can be a powerful tool in helping to evaluate the usability of a website. JAWS, a Microsoft Windows based screen reader assistive technology, presents Web pages using the JAWS Virtual Cursor. This allows users to read and navigate a Web page as though it were a text document. Users press the ARROW keys to read line by line, word by word, character by character, and so on. The JAWS Navigation quick keys make it faster and easier to move around on a Web page and anywhere else the Virtual Cursor is active. These commands are all assigned to keys on the main part of the keyboard. A web page well structured with the HTML tags, make it possible for JAWS user to quickly navigate the page and gain an understanding of the page content.
Freedom Scientific: the complete list of JAWS keystrokes.
WebAIM: JAWS Screen Reader Tutorial for accessibility testing
Freedom Scientific: Surfing the Internet with JAWS
JAWS Cursor Modes:

The PC Cursor is linked to the keyboard functions of Windows and applications. This is the cursor that is used when typing information, moving through options in dialog boxes, and selecting options or icons. As you type information, the PC Cursor follows along with each key you press. pressing NUM PAD PLUS activates the PC Cursor.

The JAWS Cursor is linked to mouse pointer functions in Windows and other applications. It is used to read information the PC Cursor cannot read, such as toolbar information. The mouse follows along with the JAWS Cursor when it is moved. press NUM PAD MINUS to activate the JAWS Cursor.

The Touch Cursor enables you to navigate the Windows environment using a touch screen, found on many tablet computers running Windows 8 or later. To control JAWS from a touch screen, you will use one or more fingers to perform various gestures directly on the screen, such as tapping, flicking, and swiping. press SHIFT+NUM PAD PLUS to activate the Touch Cursor.

The virtual PC Cursor mimics the functions of the PC Cursor, but is activated by default when entering an HTML document, such as a Web page on the Internet. The virtual PC Cursor speaks the number of elements on the page when it first opens. You can use the ARROW keys to navigate and read the document, or use Navigation Quick Keys to move to specific elements, such as paragraphs, tables, or headings. Press Insert+z keys to toggle the Virtual PC Cursor on and off, or Insert+z twice quickly for all opened Window applications.

Using The NVDA Screen Reader

NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free, open source software, Microsoft Windows based assistive technology, screen reader which enables blind and vision impaired people to use computers. You can control what is read to you by moving the cursor to the relevant area of text with a mouse or the arrows on your keyboard. NVDA can be installed on your computer, or a portable version can be use on an USB thumb drive. NVDA uses a virtual buffer concept common to all Windows screen readers on the market. NVDA takes the HTML of the page and converts it into a flat document with semantic information in the order the HTML appears in the browser source. As you navigate, NVDA will speak semantic information such as link, heading level 1 through heading level 6, button, images, and much more.
WebAIM: NVDA Screen Reader Tutorial for accessibility testing

Using The Voiceover Screen Reader

VoiceOver is a screen reader program that comes on Mac computers, iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches. VoiceOver is not a standalone screen reader assistive technology. It is deeply integrated into the iOS operating system and all the built-in apps on iOS devices. It can also access most OS X native applications and functions. VoiceOver gives auditory descriptions of each onscreen element, and provides helpful hints along the way (whether you prefer using gestures, a keyboard, or a braille display), and it supports more than 30 languages, including multiple voice options.
The Accessibility Inspector lets you simulate VoiceOver interactions, and examine the accessibility information that is available for the controls in your app. However, when it comes to testing, there is no substitute for using your app on an iOS device with VoiceOver turned on, or better still asking VoiceOver users to test your app. You can toggle VoiceOver on and off quickly by setting it to the triple-click setting in the Accessibility Settings.
WebAIM: Voiceover Screen Reader Tutorial for accessibility testing

Using The Windows Narrator Screen Reader

The Microsoft Windows Narrator screen reader is a screen-reading app built into the Windows operating system. Narrator is included with every copy of Microsoft Windows, providing a measure of access to Windows without the need to install additional software as long as the computer in use includes a sound card and speakers or headphones.
Narrator can assist a blind person in installing a full-function screen reader, assisting the user until their screen reader of choice is up and running. Because Narrator is a lightweight screen reader that requires minimal hooks into the operating system, Narrator can provide speech when a full-function screen reader might be unable to do so, such as during the process of updating hardware drivers. The Ease of Access settings in Windows are easy to discover, learn and use. Settings are grouped by ability (vision, hearing, and interaction). To get directly to Narrator settings, press Windows logo key plus Control key plus N.
Microsoft: Narrator keyboard commands and touch gestures in Windows