Throughout Serotek's history, we have always said that our goal is to "humanize computers. not computerize humans." With that in mind, we have developed an accessibility tool, System Access, that not only gives you access to your computer system, but also enables you to use hundreds of applications that you want and need. However, before we get into what System Access can do for you, we are going to explain a few features of System Access that you'll need to understand to get started.
Before You Begin
Please remember that starting System Access should automatically close an existing screen reader. However, in case this doesn't happen, you will have two voices talking to you at once. Because of this, you may find it helpful to first unload your running screen reader before starting System Access. Please consult your screen reader's documentation regarding this step.
Starting System Access
You can start the standalone copy of System Access by pressing CTRL+Alt+S. This is done by holding down the Control Key, followed by holding down the Alt key, then by tapping the letter S. As soon as you tap the letter S, release the Control, and Alt keys. When these keys are pressed, System Access Should begin talking within seconds.
System Access Modifier
Most of System Access's keyboard commands involve a special key called the System Access Modifier. The System Access Modifier can be one of the following keys: Caps Lock, Insert, Scroll Lock, or NumPad 0. Feel free to use whichever key is most convenient for you at any time; you don't need to use the same modifier for every command. So if it's too much of a stretch to press Insert in some cases, then press Caps Lock instead, and vice versa.
System Access Menu
The System Access Menu allows you to temporarily change System Access's settings and gives you a quick, straightforward way to get System Access just the way you want it to act and sound. (For more detail, see System Access's Settings.)
To open the System Access Menu, press Modifier+F. Your first option is to connect to the System Access Mobile Network. Note that pausing on a menu item in any menu will always give you the hot key for that menu item. A hot key is a quick way to jump to a choice within a menu. By using the appropriate hot key, you do not have to move down through menus to find what you are looking for. In this case the hot key is the letter S. This means that you could have pressed Modifier+F followed by the letter S to jump quickly to the SA Mobile Network. Hot keys are more important when you are selecting from longer menus.
In the System Access Menu you can set the following:
Key Echo: Key Echo determines if System Access speaks each key on the keyboard as you type it. If you do not want this to happen, you may uncheck this option by tapping enter. When you do, the System Access Menu closes. In order to recheck this option, you must go back into the System Access Menu, and using either the arrow keys to go to Key Echo, or pressing the hot key K, go to Key Echo and recheck the option closing the menu.
Word Echo: Tap enter on Word Echo if you want the system to echo words that you type after you type a space bar key, or an enter key.
Text-to-Speech Engine: Select the speech synthesizer that you want System Access to use. The default engine is DECtalk, but you can change it to Microsoft Speech, or another Engine depending on what speech engines you have on your computer. We recommend NeoSpeech, if you have purchased that option. It is easy to understand, quick, and takes up little memory.
Voice: The Voice menu option allows you to change the voice that your synthesizer uses. For example, the NeoSpeech engine has a female and a male voice that you can select.
Speaking Rate: The Speaking Rate option determines how slow, or fast the speech is. You can use your up and down arrow keys to change it to a comfortable level, then tap the enter key when you are happy with it.
Average Pitch: Average Pitch lets you set the pitch of the voice. Again use your arrow keys to adjust the voice to your liking, then tap enter.
Punctuation: The punctuation option specifies how much punctuation you hear. You may need to play with this setting a bit until you find what's right for you.
Link alert type: This option allows you to have links announced with a quick tone, which is the default setting. You can also have links announced by saying the word link, or no announcement. This setting is active when you are reading a web page with the say all command, Modifier+Down Arrow.
Optional Messages:This setting controls the amount of extra verbosity you here while navigating the desktop as well as other places throughout windows. For example while navigating the desktop you may hear, "recycle bin". after a very short pause, the optional message can say 1 of 10, in a different voice, the same voice, or you can have this option turned off completely.
Read Tool Tips: are proceeded by a very quick sound, after which you will hear a very short descriptive message. For example you may hear, "Click here to begin". This message may come up when you move over the start button. You can leave it at always speak, only speak when in virtual mouse mode, or never speak.
You can open the magnification preferences from the System Access menu. For more information, refer to the section on screen magnification.
Document Scan: Allows you to scan paper documents into your computer if you have a twain compatible scanner attached to your computer.
Remote control Another Computer: lets you control either your home computer, or another users computer after they give you permission of course.
Set Up a U3 Smart Drive: This lets you install System Access Mobile on a U3 smart drive for use when you are away from your home computer.
Submit A Program That Works Well With System Access: This option lets you send a program name that works well with System Access to Serotek.
Help and tutorials: This allows you to read and/or listen to help about System Access.
Shut Down System Access: This does exactly what it says. However, you may have noticed the hot key was a bit different from the single letters. The hot key for shutting down System Access is Modifier+F4. Because this hot key combination is unique, it can be used anywhere, at any time. This way you could shut down System Access while browsing the web, reading email, etc. The System Access menu can be invoked from anywhere, at any time as well.
Keyboard Help Mode
If you need to explore the keyboard without your keystrokes having any effect, turn on System Access's keyboard help mode by pressing Modifier+H. While this mode is on, key presses will be announced; and if you type a System Access hot key, System Access will describe what the hot key does. There are only two exceptions to this: Control+Alt+Delete is handled in the normal way by Windows, and pressing Modifier+H, or the escape key again leaves keyboard help mode.