SuperNova Screen Reader: Complete Guide for Beginners—
Introduction
SuperNova is a comprehensive assistive technology suite designed primarily for people who are blind or visually impaired. It combines a screen reader, screen magnifier, and speech and braille output options into a single package. Whether you’re completely new to screen readers or switching from another product, this guide will take you through the basics, setup, essential features, customization, common tasks, troubleshooting, and where to get further help.
What is SuperNova?
SuperNova is developed by Dolphin Computer Access. It provides spoken and braille access to Microsoft Windows and many popular applications, along with powerful magnification for low-vision users. It supports multiple voices, synthesizers (including SAPI and Vocalizer), and hardware braille displays.
Key facts
- Developer: Dolphin Computer Access
- Primary purpose: Screen reading, magnification, speech and braille output
- Platforms supported: Microsoft Windows (current versions)
Who is it for?
SuperNova serves a wide range of users:
- People who are blind and rely on speech and braille.
- People with low vision who need magnification.
- Those with progressive vision loss who benefit from combined magnification and speech.
- Educators and employers who need accessible computing solutions for students or staff.
Editions and Licensing
SuperNova comes in different editions to match users’ needs:
- SuperNova Magnifier — focused on magnification for low vision.
- SuperNova Reader — focused on screen reading for blind users.
- SuperNova Magnifier & Reader — combines both features.
- SuperNova Enterprise — for large organizations with deployment and management features.
Licensing options include single-user licenses, site licenses, and subscription models. Check Dolphin’s official site or authorized resellers for pricing and educational discounts.
System Requirements
Basic requirements typically include:
- Windows 10 or later (check the latest compatibility on Dolphin’s site).
- Minimum RAM and disk space as per the edition.
- Optional: compatible braille display or external speech synthesizer devices.
Installing SuperNova
- Download the installer from the official Dolphin website or use installation media provided by a reseller.
- Run the installer as an administrator.
- Choose the edition and enter your license key when prompted.
- Select components (speech engines, braille support) during setup.
- Complete installation and reboot if required.
Tip: If you need to try before buying, Dolphin often provides trial versions.
First-time Setup and Configuration
When you start SuperNova for the first time, you’ll be guided through setup:
- Select your preferred voice and speech rate.
- Configure magnification level, font smoothing, and color contrast.
- Set up braille display (if you have one) and choose braille translation settings.
- Enable startup options (launch at Windows start, run in the background).
Accessibility tip: Use keyboard shortcuts to navigate the setup screens if using speech without a mouse.
Core Features
Screen Reading
SuperNova reads text from applications, menus, dialogs, webpages, and documents. It provides:
- Continuous reading (read from cursor, read line, read document).
- Navigation by headings, links, form controls, and tables.
- Verbosity settings (control how much UI detail is announced).
Magnification
- Smooth zoom up to high magnification levels.
- Multiple magnification modes: full-screen, lens, split-screen.
- Colour and contrast enhancement, text smoothing, and customizable focus tracking.
Speech and Voices
- Support for Windows SAPI voices and third-party voices like Vocalizer.
- Adjustable rate, pitch, volume, and pronunciation dictionaries.
- Speak typed characters/words and echo options for editing.
Braille Support
- Works with many refreshable braille displays.
- Automatic braille translation using contracted or uncontracted braille tables.
- Braille cursor synchronization with the speech output.
OCR and Reading Documents
- Built-in OCR to read text from images, PDFs, and inaccessible documents.
- Document layout options and navigation for complex documents.
Essential Keyboard Shortcuts
(Note: these are illustrative; always check SuperNova’s current documentation for exact keys.)
- Open SuperNova settings: Ctrl+Shift+S (example)
- Read from cursor: Insert+Down Arrow (commonly used in screen readers)
- Jump to next heading: H
- Open magnifier options: Ctrl+Alt+M
You can customize most hotkeys in SuperNova’s settings.
Typical Workflows
Browsing the Web
- Use heading navigation to skim pages quickly.
- Use link lists and form navigation to jump between interactive elements.
- Enable verbosity for link URLs when needed and reduce it for a cleaner flow.
Reading Documents and PDFs
- Run OCR on scanned PDFs to make them readable.
- Use document navigation to jump between pages, headings, and tables.
- Configure reading preferences to ignore decorative elements.
Using Office Applications
- Navigate worksheets by cell, row, and column; use table commands in Word.
- Use built-in review and proofreading tools with speech feedback.
Customization and Profiles
Create profiles for different tasks:
- “Reading” profile: slower speech, less magnification.
- “Coding” profile: monospace font, braille-friendly settings, higher verbosity.
- “Presentation” profile: higher magnification, larger cursor, reduced speech.
Profiles can be switched manually or linked to specific applications.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- No speech: check audio device, selected voice, and volume settings.
- Magnifier not following cursor: verify focus tracking options.
- Braille display not detected: confirm drivers and USB/Bluetooth connection; reinstall if necessary.
- OCR errors: try higher resolution scans or different OCR language settings.
For persistent problems, update to the latest SuperNova version and consult Dolphin support.
Tips and Best Practices
- Spend time customizing voice rate and verbosity — small changes greatly improve usability.
- Learn a handful of navigation shortcuts for the apps you use most.
- Keep software and speech engines updated.
- Use profiles to avoid reconfiguring settings frequently.
- For shared computers, set up personal profiles and secure your license key.
Resources and Support
- Official Dolphin documentation and knowledge base.
- Local blindness organizations and training centers often provide lessons.
- Online forums and user groups for peer tips and scripts.
Conclusion
SuperNova is a powerful, flexible assistive technology combining screen reading, magnification, and braille support. New users should focus first on basic setup (voice, magnification, braille), learn core navigation shortcuts, and create profiles for common tasks. With customization and practice, SuperNova can significantly improve productivity and access to Windows for people with vision impairment.
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