Illinois Work Incentive Grant
Assistive Technology Support Site

Description:

ZoomText Xtra is software that is used to enlarge and enhance the display on a computer screen. ZoomText "Level 1" is capable of magnifying from 200% to 1600% in a variety of configurations. It automatically "pans" the screen to follow mouse or keyboard movements.

"Level 2" has the additional ability of reading on-screen information using computer-synthesized speech. ZoomText can magnify most programs and web sites, but its speech capabilities may not be compatible with all programs or sites.

Installation Notes:

ZoomText should be used in conjunction with the large monitor and (if speech is used) headphones. Install the full "Level 2" version of ZoomText and turn off speech when it is not needed.

Operation:

Level 1 (Magnification)

The ZoomText Level 1 toolbar includes a number of important controls:

• The large blue "Z Level 2" logo on the left is actually a button to turn ZoomText on or off - if ZoomText doesn't appear to be working, make sure this button is pressed
• Magnification level is controlled by the dial showing 2x on the left - full screen magnification tends to become inefficient much above 5x
• Zoom mode is controlled by the list showing "Full" on the left - full mode, in which the entire screen is magnified, is most useful
• The large yellow question mark activates help - press this button and then click on any other button on the toolbar for an explanation of its function
• Smoothing is controlled by the button second from the lower right - if text seems to be unusually broken up, try turning smoothing off

Level 2 (Speech)

ZoomText Level 2 will read from many, but not all, programs and web sites. It is not as powerful as a full screen reader like JAWS, but it is simple to use.

• Toggle speech on and off by pressing the button showing a profile
• Interrupt speech at any time by pressing the Ctrl key

DocReader

DocReader copies text from another program and then displays it with user-selected magnification, fonts, and colors. With ZoomText Level 2, DocReader can read the text aloud, highlighting words as they are spoken. To start DocReader, press Ctrl + Shift + R while viewing the document that you would like to read.

Within DocReader, reading controls are provided on a simple toolbar. From left to right, they are:

• Play
• Previous line
• Previous word
• Next word
• Next line
• Set magnification level
• Open DocReader settings window
• Open DocReader speech settings window
• Set reading speed
• Exit DocReader

Note that DocReader does not work with all programs. It will most likely work with word processing and similar programs, but may not work with more complex programs or web sites.

Quick Reference:

• ZoomText Keyboard Quick Reference