If an application displays an alert, Mac OS X will bounce its dock icon a few times. This is very easy to miss, especially for those with low vision or neurological problems. Here’s how to set things up so the computer will use the system voice announce when an application displays an alert.
Open System Preferences – it’s the fourth item in the Apple menu (the shape) in the very top left corner of the screen. In the “System” section, usually about the fourth line of icons in System Preferences, there is an icon labeled “Speech” which looks like an old fashioned radio microphone. Click on the Speech icon.
The Speech pane has sections labeled “Speech Recognition” and “Text to Speech”. Click on the “Text to Speech” section and you’ll see the option to announce when an application requires your attention – select that option.
You can also use the top section of this pane to select a system voice that you find easiest to listen to. If you use the voices a lot you may eventually choose to purchase a higher quality system voice or one that speaks your language.
- Ricky Buchanan
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