ChromeVox : A Key to Accessible Learning on Chromebooks

When it comes to educational technology, one thing I always emphasize when recommending tools for teachers and parents is accessibility. The first thing I do when I get a new device is to familiarize myself with its accessible features and Chromebook is no exception.

I am a huge advocate for the use of Chromebooks in education as I believe and have seen firsthand the immense pedagogical potential of these devices in and outside class. In today’s post, I want to draw your attention to one of the main features that make Chromebooks an invaluable tool for inclusive education: ChromeVox.

This accessibility feature is especially helpful for learners with visual challenges. Drawing upon the rich reservoir of guidelines and best practices from Chromebook Help, I’ve decided to craft this quick post to introduce you to ChromeVox and walk you through some of its main services.

Related: Here Is How to Take a Picture on a Chromebook

What is ChromeVox?

ChromeVox is the built-in screen reader for Chromebooks, designed to help users with visual impairments navigate the Chrome OS. To turn it on or off, press Ctrl + Alt + z on a keyboard. On tablets, press and hold both Volume down and Volume up buttons for 5 seconds until you hear a sound, indicating that ChromeVox is active and will start speaking to guide the user through the interface.

Benefits of ChromeVox

ChromeVox offers numerous benefits, especially for users with visual impairments or those who prefer auditory learning. Here’s a closer look at the advantages it provides:

1. Enhanced Accessibility: ChromeVox makes digital content more accessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision. It reads out text on the screen, including menus, buttons, and even complex web pages, enabling users to navigate their devices independently.
2. Inclusive Education: In educational settings, ChromeVox can be a game-changer. It supports diverse learning needs, ensuring that students with visual impairments can participate fully in classroom activities and access the same resources as their peers.
3. Customization: Users can adjust ChromeVox settings to suit their preferences. This includes changing the speed, pitch, and language of the voice, as well as toggling specific features on or off, such as verbal feedback for keyboard commands and detailed descriptions of images and text formatting.
4. Ease of Use: With straightforward keyboard shortcuts to activate and control ChromeVox, users can easily toggle the screen reader on or off and adjust settings without needing to navigate through complex menus.
5. Language Support: ChromeVox offers support for multiple languages, making it a versatile tool for non-English speakers or those learning a new language. This broad language support enhances its usability and reach.
6. Integrated Learning Tool: Beyond accessibility, ChromeVox can serve as a learning aid, helping users to improve their literacy and language skills by listening to the pronunciation and flow of text.
7. Cost-Effectiveness: As a built-in feature of Chromebooks, ChromeVox provides a high-quality screen reading experience without the need for additional software, making it a cost-effective solution for individuals and educational institutions.
8. Web Navigation: ChromeVox is designed to work seamlessly with the Chrome browser, offering an optimized experience for navigating the internet. This includes specialized commands for web navigation, making it easier to browse, search, and access digital content.

Let’s now explore ChromeVox features and learn how to enables/disable some of its services.

ChromeVox: Full Page Read Aloud

To listen to entire pages read aloud:

1. Activate ChromeVox by going to Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-Speech and turning on ChromeVox. Alternatively, press Ctrl + Alt + z to toggle ChromeVox on or off from any page.

For reading specific parts of a page:

1. Enable Select-to-speak by navigating to Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-Speech and turning on Select-to-speak.
2. To select and hear text:

• Press and hold the Search key and drag the pointer over text.
• Highlight text then press Search + s.
• Use the Select-to-Speak icon near the time indicator at the bottom right, then drag the pointer over text.

To stop reading, press Ctrl or the Search key. You can also click Stop.

Customize Text-to-Speech Experience

• Highlighting Options: In Select-to-speak settings, you can enable word highlighting, choose highlight colors (green or pink for strong contrast), and shade the background behind the text being read.
• Disable Navigation Controls: For a simplified experience, disable navigation controls in the Select-to-speak settings. This removes quick access to pause/play, speed adjustment, and skipping text lines.

Customizing ChromeVox

Customizing ChromeVox to suit your preferences or needs is pretty straightforward. Here’s a quick guide on how to change the voice, language, and other settings:

Change Language and Voice

1. To change the language, press and hold the Search key, then press the letter o twice. Alternatively, you can press the Launcher key (if your keyboard has one), then press o twice.
2. Navigate to the “Voices” section and select “ChromeOS.” The current default language will be displayed on the button label.
3. Pick a new language from the provided list, and you’ll hear ChromeVox speaking in the new language you’ve selected.
4. Once you’re finished with your adjustments, press Ctrl + w to close the settings.

Adjust Spoken Feedback Speed

• To slow down the speech, use Search + Shift + [ or Launcher + Shift + [ (left square bracket).
• To speed up the speech, press Search + [ or Launcher + [ (without Shift).

Stop Speaking

• To immediately stop spoken feedback, simply press Ctrl.

Change Pitch

• To increase the pitch (higher frequency), press Search + ] or Launcher + ] (right square bracket).
• To decrease the pitch (lower frequency), use Search + Shift + ] or Launcher + Shift + ].

Concluding thoughts

In wrapping up, ChromeVox is an excellent tool that opens up a world of possibilities for learners with visual impairments. Whether you’re an educator looking to make your classroom more inclusive, a student seeking ways to overcome learning barriers, or simply someone interested in the potential of assistive technology, ChromeVox deserves your attention.