Using Reachdeck

What is Reachdeck?

ReachDeck is a tool that helps make website content easier to read and understand.

It provides support for people who may prefer to:

• listen to text instead of reading
• translate content into another language
• increase text size
• reduce distractions on the page

ReachDeck includes the following features:

• Text to speech – listen to text on a webpage
• Translation – translate written and spoken content into multiple languages
• Text magnification – enlarge text while it is read aloud
• MP3 download – convert selected text into an audio file
• Screen mask – highlight a small reading area to improve focus
• Page simplifier – remove images and other distractions
• Settings – personalise how the tools work

How to open ReachDeck

1. Locate the ReachDeck launch button to open the accessibility toolbar.  The button is usually located near the bottom of the webpage.
2. Select the button to open ReachDeck.
3. When selected, a toolbar will appear at the top of the page.

Each button (icon) on the toolbar controls a different accessibility feature.

If you want help identifying the tools:

1. Select the Help icon  on the toolbar.
2. A guide will appear explaining what each button does.

Listening to text on the page

ReachDeck can read text aloud in two ways.

Option 1: Hover to Speak

1. Select the Hover to Speak button on the toolbar.
2. Move your cursor to the beginning of the text.
3. Select the text area to start reading.
4. The text will be read aloud.

Option 2: Speak selected text

1. Select the Speak Selection button .
2. Highlight the text you want to hear.
3. The selected text will be read aloud.
4. To stop the audio, select the Stop button on the toolbar.

Translating a webpage

ReachDeck can translate website content into 99 languages and read text aloud in 40 languages.

1. Select the Translation button .
2. Choose a language from the list.
3. The webpage will automatically translate.
4. To hear the translated text spoken aloud, select the Play button .

Picture Dictionary

The Picture Dictionary shows images related to selected words.

1. Highlight a word on the page.
2. Select the Picture Dictionary button .
3. Images related to the word will appear.

Downloading audio (MP3)

You can convert text on a webpage into an audio file.

1. Highlight the text you want to convert.
2. Select the MP3 (audio download) button .
3. An audio file will be created that you can listen to later.

Screen mask

The Screen Mask helps reduce visual distractions.

1. Select the Screen Mask button .
2. A coloured overlay will appear across the screen.
3. A clear reading area will highlight a small section of text.

This can help you focus on one part of the page at a time.

Text magnification

The Text Magnifier enlarges text as it is read aloud.

1. Select the Text Magnifier button .
2. The text will appear larger on screen.
3. You can adjust the font, size and colour in the settings menu .

Simplifying a webpage

The Simplify feature removes images and other distractions.

1. Select the Simplify button .
2. The page will display the main text only.

Changing your settings

Select the Settings button  on the toolbar to personalise how ReachDeck works.

You can:

• change highlight colours
• turn text magnification on by default
• adjust the size of magnified text
• turn Hover to Speak on or off
• change the speech speed
• set Simplify as the default page view
• highlight links on webpages

Learn more

Watch the video below for a demonstration of how to use ReachDeck.