Demonstrating How I Use Voice Access

As part of my effort to inform people on how to use tools with their disabilities and continue working, I created a series of videos that demonstrate how I use Voice Access to perform a number of activities that support my work. As we mentioned in the previous post, we have launched a Data on Wheels channel on YouTube. Over the past few days, I have created six videos which will walk you through various processes or types of work using Voice Access. You can get to the entire playlist here. I plan to add additional videos as I find more ways to work with Voice Access that might be interesting to others.

Here is a list of the videos I created with a summary if you are interested in just a single video as opposed to viewing the whole list.

Working With ALS: Voice Access-Introduction and Setup

In this video I walk through what Voice Access does and how to get it set up in a Windows 11 environment. If you are unfamiliar with accessibility capabilities inside of Windows 11 this is a suitable place to start.

Working with ALS: Voice Access-Using Grid Overlays

This video focuses on grid overlays used to manipulate mouse location and the ability to click various locations on your screen. This and the number overlays which are next are key command sets used to reduce the need for a physical mouse when working with Windows.

Working with ALS: Voice Access-Working with Number Overlays

Voice Access gives you the ability to click any location on a screen that can be clicked with meaning. It assigns numbers to all the locations in a window or on your entire screen depending on how you use it. This video walks through a number of examples of using number overlays to navigate a couple of different applications.

Working with ALS: Voice Access-Changing Modes

Voice Access allows you to issue commands and dictation at the same time when using the default mode. There were two other modes that potentially can be helpful depending on what you are trying to accomplish-dictation and command. I demonstrate how to use both modes and some of the difficulty of using these modes as they do not always work as expected.

Working with ALS: Voice Access-Navigating Web Pages

Whereas the first few were about specific functionality inside of Voice Access, navigating web pages is how to accomplish a specific task using Voice Access. In this one I move through a couple of websites interact with those websites using Voice Access functionality has been demonstrated previously.

Working with ALS: Voice Access-Real World Dictation

In this video, I demonstrate how to use dictation in a real world setting. I create a journal entry for my Caring Bridge site using Voice Access. This gives the viewer the opportunity to understand what is required to use dictation and commands to create content. This shows how I typically create documents, blog posts, and Teams discussions. Voice Access is unique in that it allows us to use commands and dictation at the same time.

I realize not everyone has a need to use Voice Access. But if you work with someone who has limited functionality in their ability to navigate with a mouse or to create any type of content with the keyboard, these videos may help them understand how Voice Access can be used to improve their day-to-day work.