EBSCOhost text-to-speech
EBSCOhost can read HTML articles aloud using the Text-To-Speech feature.
To use text-to-speech, open an article in HTML format. There's a bar like the below example:
Click 'Listen' to have the article read aloud to you. To have a specific section of the text read aloud, highlight the section of interest and click 'listen.' Reading speed, text color, and more can be adjusted by clicking on the gear icon.
You may also download an MP3 of the article by clicking downward facing arrow.
EBSCOhost Accessibility navigation guide
The following information comes from EBSCO and is available by searching the help in EBSCO databases.
Accessibility - Navigation Guide
EBSCOhost provides several accessibility features to allow users to navigate the website.
Landmarks – these define the page structure, like navigational areas and the main content
Headings – these denote the beginning of sections of content
Access Keys – these allow you to jump to different portions of the page
Access Keys for EBSCO Discovery Service/EBSCOhost include:
Access Key + 0 – Jump to the Help link
Access Key + 2 – Jump to the Search box
Tips for Navigating
Below are some tips for navigating the site using a screen reader and select browsers.
| How do I get to... | NVDA and Firefox Steps | NVDA and Chrome Steps | JAWS and IE Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Help | Shift+Alt+0 | Alt+0 | Alt+0 |
| Search Box | Shift+Alt+2 | Alt+2 | Alt+2 |
| First Title in Result List from Search box | Tab. Then H2. Then H3. Use H3 to jump to all subsequent article titles. | Tab. Then h2. Then h3. use H3 to jump to all subsequent article titles. | Alt+1. Then h3. Use H3 to jump to all subsequent article titles. |
| Refine Search from within Search box | Tab. Then h2 2 times. Then Tab through options. Then enter to expand filter. Then use spacebar to select a specific filter option. | Tab. Then h2 2 times. Then Tab through options. Then enter to expand filter. Then use spacebar to select a specific filter option. | Tab. Then h2 2 times. Then Tab through options. Then enter to expand filter. Then use spacebar to select a specific filter option. |
| Full Text from Results List article title | Tab to PDF or HTML link. Then select Enter. | Tab to PDF or HTML link. Then select Enter. | Tab to PDF or HTML link. Then select Enter. |
| PDF Full Text from Detail Page | H2. Then h3. Then Shift+Tab | H2. Then h3. Then h3. Then Shift+Tab | H2. Then h3. Then h3. Then Shift+Tab |
| HTML Transcript (text to speech) | Shift+Alt+L | Alt+L | Alt+L |
| Save PDF, once opened | Insert+F7. Then Select 'PDF Download'. Then select Enter. Then Control+S | Insert+F7. Then Select 'PDF Download'. Then select Enter. Then Control+S | Insert+F7. Then Select 'PDF Download'. Then select Enter. Then Control+S |
| Export and Cite options from Detail Page | h2 for 'Tools' section. Then Tab to option | h2 for 'Tools' section. Then Tab to option | h2 for 'Tools' section. Then Tab to option |
Tips for Basic Search
Begin typing your keywords into search box.
If you want to search by Author or Title, select Shift+Tab, followed by Enter if using a screen reader, and then use arrow keys to select the one you want. Tab to return to search box.
Once you begin to type in the search box, beneath the box there will be a list of suggestions. You can access these using your arrow keys. If you select one of the suggested terms, the search will automatically run upon hitting Enter.
If you do not want to select one of the suggestions, you can arrow up to return to the search box and continue typing your own keywords.
If you want to clear the text in the Search box, then while in the box, tab once to the Clear option.
Tips for Advanced Search
Select the Advanced Search link.
Follow the procedures for “To use the search tool” for entering your search term.
To change the search parameter, from within the text search input press Tab to reach the parameter button.
When on the button press the Space key.
Use the up and down arrow keys to navigate the list of options. The radio button will be listed first, then the label for the radio button.
When you are on the radio button you want, press the Space key.
Press Tab to go to the next search criteria, and repeat steps 1-6, or continue to press Tab to get to the Search button.
Note, on the subsequent search criteria there will be an additional button for selecting the Boolean operator to apply. This button functions the same as the parameter button.
For additional options, continue to read down through the page or search for the heading 3 called “Search Options”. In this section there are additional search parameters to apply. At the end of the section is another Search button to perform the selected search.
Other Useful Resources
Screen readers and PDF documents
PDF content will often be more readable and more easily navigated by screen readers when it is displayed directly in Adobe Reader. For PDF documents, download them to your computer and open then in Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.
Read the Frequently Asked Questions about eBooks and Accessibility at EBSCO.
Screen readers and EPUB documents
EPUB content will often be more readable and more easily navigated by screen readers when it is displayed directly in an application on the desktop. For EPUB documents, download them to your computer and open then in Adobe Digital Editions.
Read the Frequently Asked Questions about eBooks and Accessibility at EBSCO.
General Screen Reader Help Topics
Using JAWS with PDF Files
Click the following link to read documentation from Adobe on PDF documents and assistive technology. Accessing PDF Documents with Assistive Technology: A Screen Reader User’s Guide
Screen Reader Documentation
The following links offer documentation for the JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver screen readers.
JAWS for Windows Quick Start Guide
http://www.freedomscientific.com/Content/Documents/Manuals/JAWS/JAWS-Quick-Start-Guide.pdf
JAWS Keystrokes from Freedom Scientific (Exhaustive list)
http://doccenter.freedomscientific.com/doccenter/archives/training/jawskeystrokes.htm
JAWS Keystrokes from WebAIM (Shortened list)
http://webaim.org/resources/shortcuts/jaws
NVDA User Guide
https://www.nvaccess.org/files/nvda/documentation/userGuide.html
NVDA Keystrokes from WebAIM
http://webaim.org/resources/shortcuts/nvda
VoiceOver Guide from Apple
https://help.apple.com/voiceover/info/guide/10.12/