DocuScan Plus Overview and Main Features
Siena introduced DocuScan Plus as the main topic of the workshop, explaining it is an application by Numa Solutions that allows users to scan documents and read PDFs with screen readers.
- Details
- Siena: Explained that DocuScan Plus was formerly made by Serotech, the same company that created System Access To Go screen reader
- Siena: Noted the software is compatible with JAWS, NVDA, Narrator on PC, and VoiceOver on Mac
- Siena: Mentioned the software is priced in US dollars and may be expensive, but cheaper than Kurzweil
- Siena: Stated she was unable to demonstrate the scanning feature due to driver installation issues with her Canon Lide 320 scanner
- Siena: Confirmed the software does not currently work on iOS, Android, or iPad devices
- Conclusion
- DocuScan Plus is a cross-platform accessible document reading and OCR solution
- The software requires proper scanner drivers to be installed for scanning functionality
- Mobile versions are not currently available
Mac Version Interface and Navigation
Siena demonstrated the Mac version of DocuScan Plus, showing the main interface options and navigation methods.
- Details
- Siena: Showed the main window contains options for Scan a document, Read a document on this computer, Manage Documents, Download from Bookshare, Preferences, My Account, and Help
- Siena: Explained that Command-Comma does not work to access preferences on Mac, users must click the Preferences button
- Siena: Demonstrated that documents can be read using standard VoiceOver navigation commands including arrow keys for character-by-character reading and Option-arrow keys for word-by-word reading
- Siena: Showed the Manage Documents section displays saved documents in a table format
- Conclusion
- The Mac interface is VoiceOver accessible with standard navigation commands
- Documents are stored locally or in the cloud through the Manage Documents feature
- Keyboard shortcuts differ slightly from standard Mac conventions
Voice and Text-to-Speech Settings
Siena explored the extensive voice options available in DocuScan Plus on Mac, demonstrating various system voices.
- Details
- Siena: Showed that users can select from all installed Mac voices including Alex, Nathan, Tom, Samantha, and many others
- Siena: Demonstrated novelty voices like Bad News, Good News, Bells, Boing, Bubbles, Jester, and Zarvox
- Siena: Explained that Eloquence voices (formerly only in JAWS) are now available on Mac including Eddie (formerly Glenn), Grandma, Grandpa, Reed, and Shelley
- Siena: Noted that users can adjust speaking rate (faster/slower), pitch (higher/lower), and punctuation levels (none, some, most, all)
- Rob: Asked about the difference between Jester on iPhone versus Mac, noting it was called Hysterical
- Siena: Clarified that Apple updated the voice and changed the name
- Conclusion
- DocuScan Plus supports all system-installed voices on Mac
- Users can customize speech parameters extensively
- Apple has made Eloquence voices available across all platforms
Document Language Support
Siena demonstrated the multiple language options available for OCR processing in DocuScan Plus.
- Details
- Siena: Showed that DocuScan Plus supports 18 languages including English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese (both European and Brazilian), Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Swedish, and Turkish
- Siena: Mentioned she was pleased to see French support since she speaks and reads French
- Conclusion
- DocuScan Plus provides extensive multilingual OCR support
- Users can select the appropriate language for accurate text recognition
Braille Display Settings
Siena briefly reviewed the Braille preferences available in DocuScan Plus.
- Details
- Siena: Showed options for various Braille translation tables including English US Grade 1, English US Grade 2, English UK Grade 1, English UK Grade 2, French Canada, and others
- Siena: Demonstrated selecting English US Grade 2 as the preferred Braille translation table
- Conclusion
- DocuScan Plus supports multiple Braille translation tables for different languages and grade levels
- Users with Braille displays can customize their reading experience
Font and Color Preferences for Low Vision Users
Siena explored the visual customization options available for users with low vision.
- Details
- Siena: Showed that the default font is Verdana at 18 points, with Times New Roman also available
- Siena: Demonstrated font size options ranging from 12 point (smallest) to 64 point (largest)
- Siena: Explained foreground color defaults to black and background color defaults to white, but can be customized
- Siena: Showed options for unvisited link color (blue) and visited link color (navy)
- Siena: Noted that users can choose to always use their preferred colors and fonts
- Conclusion
- DocuScan Plus provides extensive visual customization for low vision users
- Font sizes can be adjusted significantly to accommodate different vision needs
- Color schemes can be customized including high contrast options
Reading a PDF Document on Mac
Siena demonstrated opening and reading a PDF document (Yamaha PSR-E473 keyboard manual) using DocuScan Plus on Mac.
- Details
- Siena: Showed that documents can be opened through the Read a document on this computer button
- Siena: Demonstrated that DocuScan Plus processes the PDF and extracts text using OCR
- Siena: Explained that users can navigate using standard VoiceOver commands: left/right arrows for character navigation, Option-left/right arrows for word navigation, up/down arrows for line navigation
- Siena: Showed the Switch to Extended Processing option which performs more thorough OCR analysis
- Siena: Demonstrated that documents can be saved in multiple formats including RTF, Braille (BRF), HTML, and plain text
- Siena: Showed options to create Daisy books and MP3 audio files from documents
- Conclusion
- PDF documents are successfully processed and made accessible through OCR
- Navigation follows standard screen reader conventions
- Multiple export formats provide flexibility for different use cases
Document Management and Cloud Storage
Siena explained how DocuScan Plus manages and stores documents.
- Details
- Siena: Showed that documents can be saved locally to the computer or stored in the DocuScan Plus cloud
- Siena: Demonstrated that saved documents appear in the Manage Documents section
- Siena: Explained that documents saved to the cloud can be accessed from other devices running DocuScan Plus
- Siena: Showed that users can add bookmarks, set passwords, rename, and delete documents
- Conclusion
- DocuScan Plus offers both local and cloud storage options
- Document management features allow for organization and security
- Cloud synchronization enables cross-device access
PC Version Features and Self-Voicing Mode
Siena demonstrated the Windows PC version of DocuScan Plus, highlighting unique features not available on Mac.
- Details
- Siena: Showed that when opening DocuScan Plus on PC, users are prompted to choose between putting the screen reader to sleep and using self-voicing mode, or keeping the screen reader active
- Siena: Demonstrated self-voicing mode using Microsoft David voice
- Siena: Explained that the PC version can use different text-to-speech engines including Deck Talk, eSpeak, and Microsoft voices
- Siena: Showed that documents saved to the cloud on Mac are accessible on the PC version
- Siena: Demonstrated that keyboard shortcuts include Alt-B for Add Bookmark, Alt-G for Go to Bookmark, Alt-C for Email, and Alt-S for Save to this computer
- Conclusion
- The PC version offers self-voicing mode as an alternative to screen reader use
- Multiple text-to-speech engines provide flexibility on Windows
- Cloud synchronization works seamlessly between Mac and PC versions
Opening Documents from File Explorer
Siena demonstrated an alternative method for opening documents in DocuScan Plus directly from Windows File Explorer.
- Details
- Siena: Showed that users can navigate to a document in File Explorer (or Finder on Mac)
- Siena: Demonstrated using Shift-F10 to open the context menu
- Siena: Explained that users can select Open With and choose DocuScan Plus from the list
- Siena: Noted this method bypasses the need to open DocuScan Plus first and navigate to Read a document on this computer
- Conclusion
- Documents can be opened directly from the file system using context menus
- This provides a faster workflow for users who already know the document location
Keyboard Shortcuts and Commands Discussion
Rob and Siena discussed differences between Mac and PC keyboard shortcuts.
- Details
- Rob: Asked about the relationship between Alt key on PC and Command key on Mac
- Siena: Explained that the Command key on Mac generally corresponds to the Alt key on PC for application shortcuts
- Siena: Clarified that the Control key functions similarly on both platforms
- Rob: Mentioned that different PC keyboards have Insert key in different locations, noting his experience with various keyboard layouts over the years
- Conclusion
- Keyboard shortcuts differ between Mac and PC but follow general patterns
- Users transitioning between platforms need to learn the equivalent key combinations
Voice Comparison and Preferences
Rob, Siena, and Jackie discussed various synthesized voices and their characteristics.
- Details
- Rob: Noted that Eddie on Mac sounds like Glenn in JAWS
- Siena: Confirmed that Eddie is the Mac name for the same Eloquence voice called Glenn in JAWS
- Rob: Asked about British Eloquence voices on iPhone
- Siena: Confirmed that British Eloquence voices are available on iPhone, with Nana being the British version of Grandma, and Jane and Justin being the British versions of Reed and Shelley
- Rob: Mentioned that NVDA has a telephone voice for Reed
- Jackie: Commented that some voices sound grumpy or whiny, particularly compact versions of Vocalizer voices
- Jackie: Expressed preference for Alex on iPhone because he reads properly and takes breaths naturally
- Siena: Agreed that Alex has unique breathing characteristics that make him sound more natural
- Conclusion
- Voice preferences vary among users based on clarity, naturalness, and personal taste
- Eloquence voices have different names across platforms but are the same underlying voices
- Enhanced versions of voices generally sound clearer than compact versions
Bookshare Integration
Siena briefly mentioned the Bookshare integration feature in DocuScan Plus.
- Details
- Siena: Showed the Download from Bookshare button in the main interface
- Siena: Explained that CNIB clients can access Bookshare through CELA
- Siena: Noted uncertainty about whether DocuScan Plus supports downloading from CELA directly
- Siena: Mentioned planning to suggest CELA integration to Numa Solutions
- Conclusion
- DocuScan Plus integrates with Bookshare for downloading accessible books
- CELA integration is not currently confirmed but could be a valuable addition
Pricing and Availability
Rob and Siena discussed the cost and availability of DocuScan Plus.
- Details
- Rob: Asked whether there is a free version of DocuScan, noting that Plus often indicates a premium version
- Siena: Stated that to her knowledge, there is a trial period of approximately 7 to 14 days
- Siena: Mentioned earlier that the software is priced in US dollars and is somewhat expensive but cheaper than Kurzweil
- Siena: Noted uncertainty about whether the Assistive Devices Program in Ontario would cover the cost
- Conclusion
- DocuScan Plus appears to be a paid application with a trial period
- The Plus designation is part of the product name rather than indicating a premium tier
- Funding assistance may be available through assistive technology programs
Find Out What’s Coming Up On Future Workshops at The Following Link
Updated as of Mar 10, 2026, What’s Coming Up on Techstravaganza
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