New Zealand libraries with NVDA
Disclaimer: This information was correct at the
time of publishing, however please check with your local library
as this information is subject to change.
I would like to begin this page, by thanking the public networks
within New Zealand below, who have taken the time to install the
NVDA screen reader for their customers, as well as update it
yearly on their networks - making for a more inclusive New
Zealand! I look forward to more organisations following their lead
in the future. As an example, the Aotearoa People's Network
Kaharoa (APNK) also referred to as the New Zealand library network
had NVDA on their public computers for over then years! APNK has
only recently gone to chromebooks.They had NVDA on over 750 of
their public computers at 52 locations around New Zealand.
It is not only for libraries but can also be installed in schools,
polytechs and or private training establishments, information
centres, as well as homes! Regardless of where these installations
are around NZ, they help to make a more inclusive New Zealand for
people who are blind, low vision, dyslexic, print disabled, ESOL
all at no cost to the user. (unless people choose to donate to the
NVDA project).
Are you thinking of adding NVDA to your network - so that other
people out in the community can benefit from a screen reader?
Role of a screen
reader
A screen reader is a piece of adaptive technology
that the visually impaired/blind and illiterate, or print disabled
people use. Screen readers are software applications that attempt
to convey what people with normal eyesight see on a display to
their users via non-visual means, like text-to-speech, sound
icons, or a Braille device.
For more information on a screen reader please visit the following
link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_reader
Where can I get NVDA
from? Where can I find out more information?
You can download a copy of NVDA from the
following web page at http://www.nvaccess.org
If you are looking at installing it to a network, and want to find
out more information, check out the Corporate/Government page on
NV Access's website at https://www.nvaccess.org/corporate-government/
This information, is for people installing it to a
government/corporate network.
Managed installs of
NVDA on a network
Download the latest version of NVDA from the
website https://www.nvaccess.org/download/
For managed installs please refer to the User Guide “Command Line
Options” section https://www.nvaccess.org/files/nvda/documentation/userGuide.html
For example to install NVDA version 2019.1.1 silently and do not
enable NVDA at the Windows Logon screen run this command:
nvda_2019.1.1.exe --install-silent --enable-start-on-logon=False
NVDA User Statistics
If you are thinking of giving access to your
public/private network with NVDA (such as a library network,
school network, publicly available computer or information centre)
and want to see what type of user base there is, please read
on. Allowing access to these computers with NVDA is not only
a way of enhancing inclusiveness but also a cost effective way of
making these terminals accessible to blind, vision impaired,
dyslexic and print disabled people.
Explanation of Statistics Gathering
Running copies of NVDA contact the NV Access server to check for
updates once every 24 hours. Each update check request is recorded
as one usage of NVDA in a day. As we know that one single NVDA
cannot make more than one update check request per day, we can
safely say the amount of update check requests in a day equates to
the minimum amount of running copies in a day. The actual numbers
might be higher than reflected here due to users not having
internet access, or they may have disabled update checking
completely. In a case where a user has internet access but has the
update feature turned off, then the usage of that copy of NVDA
will not be reported on the NVDA user statistics page. However,
the data does give us a rough idea of usage patterns.
To see how many people access the internet with NVDA each day
around the world, please go to the following link at http://community.nvda-project.org/usersByCountry.html
Asking
a librarian for assistance with starting NVDA
Please note: You may need to ask about this
software at the enquiries desk, as staff come and go and may or
may not be aware of NVDA. Also, staff are available to assist
you by logging you in on the computer. You may need to take your
own set of headphones.
Christchurch City
Libraries network
To find out which software is available on the
Christchurch City Libraries network, and how to start the NVDA
screen reader, please go to the following links: Software
available https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/faq/computers/#faq_5884
How to start the NVDA screen reader on the Christchurch City
Libraries computers https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/faqs/what-screen-reader-software-is-available/
Christchurch City Libraries have 395 public computers across 19
library locations.
Auckland Libraries
network
If you are up in the Auckland area you can use
NVDA at any one of the 55 locations at https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/locations-and-hours.aspx
You can also see that the NVDA screen reader is installed on their
software page at https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/computer-use.aspx
At present, you will need to ask a librarian to sign you in to the
network, then start NVDA for you.
Auckland Libraries network have about 600 public computers across
55 locations.
To access NVDA, once the librarian has signed you in to the
computer, they can either start NVDA for you; or to do it
yourself...Press Ctrl + Esc simultaneously. Once
you have done that, type in NVDA. It should show as the
third link listed in your search results. Press the down arrow
key three times, and then press Enter to select and launch
it.