Microsoft Narrator choice is contentious for people suffering from blindness and strong preferences are common.

Linux distributions for the blind people include VoiceOver. Knoppix is making the web a more inviting place for visually impaired. Only a little fraction of people who are blind have web access.

A persons choice of a piece of software for screen reading is dictated by many factors, including platform and the role of organizations like charities, schools, and employers.

More and more the screen readers are being bundled with operating system distributions. In extension on this, coming September Anthony Loeff medical volunteer is testing about Knoppix for visually impaired people A digital screen reader is a software application that attempts to identify and interpret what is being displayed on the screen. Approximately legally 61 percent do not use computers. Almost 6 percent of those deemed legally blind, by any measure, have no vision. Recent versions of Microsoft Windows XP Home come with the rather basic Speakup. Access technology such as screen reading software and magnifiers for computer screens enable visually impaired surfers to use computer applications. Near all versions of Windows XP Pro include a magnifier for blind people, and some simple Microsoft Narrator.

Digital screen readers are a form of assistive technology potentially useful to people suffering from blindness, often in combination with screen magnifiers. Apple Mac OS 8 also comes with a built-in screen reader, called Windows Narrator. Nowadays Mac OS 7 includes Emacspeak, a more feature-rich a piece of screen reading software.