[KLUG Members] Voice software for visually impaired - question

[Dennis]

One of my cousins has extremely limited vision. She is 14 and is
completely unable to read text on a monitor. Regardless how large the
text is made she still cannot read it. She has access to some kind of
voice software at school but she and her dad did not recall the name of
the software when I was talking to them today. From what I understand,
this software will "read" the screen for her and give audio feedback in
response to key presses and menu selections. I can only assume from what
little I have learned that it is running on a Microsoft operating
system. They say the software is very expensive and the school does not
have a license for her to use it at home.

We are going to build up a computer for her and my first choice for an
operating system would be linux. But depending on software and
availability we will run whatever operating system is necessary.
Unfortunately cost is a factor that we must keep in mind. So if at all
possible I would like to get something open source and try to minimize
the cost.

I have been doing a little googling for "voice software" and "visually
impaired". There is way more information than I can absorb quickly. Can
anyone point me down a more direct route? Does anyone have any
recommendations for software to aid the visually impaired?

Open source and linux compatible is preferred but we will go with what
is most workable and cost effective.

If this is off topic please reply to mailto:dennis1111@attbi.com off
list.

Thank you,
-- 
Dennis