Speech-to-Text Technology on
Mac OS X
Computer Access for Individuals with
Disabilities
First, click here
Then, click
here
• To find the speech recognition options on a Mac,
click the apple in the upper left corner of the screen,
and select “System Preferences” from the menu.
Click here
• In the System Preferences window, select “Speech”.
This option is pointed out above.
• Speech Recognition allows the user to control the
computer using his/her voice instead of the keyboard
and/or mouse. With Speech Recognition, the user can
use Speakable Items to navigate menus and to open,
close, control, and switch between applications, among
other functions.
• This feature does not perform dictation.
Click here to
calibrate the
microphone
• Select the type of microphone that will be used for input.
– A “line in” describes any microphone that must be plugged in to the
computer, such as a microphone headset or a desktop microphone.
– An “internal microphone” is one that is built-in to the computer.
• When the microphone has been selected and connected (if
necessary), click the “Calibrate” button to calibrate that
microphone.
When finished, click Done
• The user must follow the instructions on the screen
to calibrate his/her microphone.
• Click done when calibration is complete.
•
•
Listening Key:
Listening Method:
– Listen only while key is pressed: If selected, the user must hold down the listening key (Esc in
the example above) the entire time he/she is speaking. This is a good option if the computer is
being used in a noisy environment, as it helps to control how much the computer is taking in.
– Listen continuously with keyword: If selected, the user can set the keyword to be
•
Keyword is:
–
–
•
Requested before each command: This will also allow for more control of what the computer takes in when the
user is in a noisy environment.
Optional before commands: This allows for hands-free use of Speech Recognition, with the downside being that
the computer takes in all noises in the environment.
Upon Recognition:
– Speak command acknowledgement: Check here to be certain that the computer has
acknowledged the user’s command.
•
Choose a sound for acknowledgement of recognition.
Click here
• Select from the menu at the left which items are
likely to be included in the user’s commands (these
may be items that the user cannot access using a
mouse or keyboard, but is likely to require access to).
• Refer to the tips provided for performing spoken
commands in the Speech Recognition feature.
Mac Resource
• To read more about accessibility options
offered by Mac, go to:
– http://www.apple.com/accessibility/macosx/visio
n.html