Browser accessibility

We've highlighted the accessibility features of some popular browser to help you make the most of your studies.

 

Google Chrome

Google Chrome has some in-built accessibility features that may help with reading e-books. ‘Reading Mode’, accessed by right-clicking anywhere on the screen, will create a separate tab containing the text that you’re reading. On this tab, you can alter:

  • Font size
  • Font style
  • Page colour
  • Line height
  • Letter spacing

Chrome also offers a translation tool. This will automatically translate any text on the webpage but will not necessarily translate the e-book text.

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge has several in-built accessibility features, which could help with reading e-books. ‘Read Aloud’, accessed by right-clicking anywhere on the screen, will bring up a panel with a play button. This feature will read anything on the screen, whilst simultaneously highlighting the relevant text. You can alter the speed of this narration, as well as choose from a variety of accents. This is especially useful in conjunction with their translation tool.

‘Immersive Reader’ works similarly but allows for further personalisation. When available on a webpage; in the top right corner, you will see a circle symbol with three horizontal dots in the centre. This will bring up ‘Reader Mode’ which allows you to alter:

  • Text size
  • Text spacing
  • Font
  • Column spacing
  • Page colour

You are also able to use the ‘Read Aloud’ feature on here in conjunction with the translation tool which will translate all the text on the page to a wide range of languages. If needing to focus on one or more lines, choose the ‘Line focus’ tool.