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• Voice Recognition in OS X

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Talking to Your Computer

This section introduces the voice recognition feature in OS X.

Note: Mac key convention: 'Ctrl' is used for 'Control', 'Apple' is used for 'Command' and 'Alt' is used for the 'Option' key.

Note: For keyboard access make sure 'Full keyboard access' is turned on - you can turn it on or off; by pressing 'Ctrl' + 'F1' at any time.

Instructions

1. Make sure you are in 'Finder' - press 'Apple' + 'Tab' if necessary to cycle through open applications until you return to 'Finder'.
2. Click on the 'Apple' menu or press 'Ctrl' + 'F2'.
3. Click on 'System Preferences...' as shown in Fig 1 or press the down arrow key to highlight it and then press 'Enter'.
   
   
   Fig 1
   
4. Click on the 'Speech' icon or press 'Tab' repeatedly (you might need to press 'Ctrl' + 'F7' first) to cycle through the icons until the 'Universal Access' icon is highlighted with a blue border as shown in Fig 2 and then press the 'Spacebar'.
   
   
   Fig 2
   
5. Click on the 'Speech Recognition' tab or press 'Ctrl' + 'F7' (once or twice) to highlight one of the three tabs and then press the left or right arrow key to select the 'Speech Recognition' tab (highlighted in blue) if it is not already selected.
6. Click on the 'On/Off' sub tab or press 'Tab' until it is highlighted.
7. Next click the 'On' radio button next to 'Apple Speakable Items is:' (See Fig 3 ) or press 'Tab' to highlight the 'Off' button and then press the up arrow to turn 'On' 'Apple Speakable Items'.
   
   
   Fig 3
   
8. This will open the Speakable Items window (see Fig 4) .
   
   
   
   Fig 4
   
9. To issue a command press and hold the 'Esc' key on your keyboard while speaking.
10. 'Apple Speakable items' can recognise a number of commands, they are listed in the 'Speakable Items' folder. To look at them click on the 'Open Speakable items Folder' button or press 'Tab' to highlight the button and then press the 'Spacebar'.
11. When you are happy with your settings click the 'Close' (red) button at the top of the 'Speech' window or press 'Apple' + 'W' to close the window and return to the Finder desktop.

Note: If this does not work it could be because your computer settings cannot be changed due to local IT policies - contact your local IT support for further help.

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