I started using a teleprompter app with low vision to show scripts for school news and other video projects, as I found it much easier to read large print from the digital display compared to a paper script while filming. Since then, I have continued to use teleprompter apps as assistive technology both for myself and for many of the students I have worked with, as they provide a quick and easy way to display large print text on a high contrast display. Here are my favorite tips for using teleprompter apps with low vision, and ways to use teleprompter apps as assistive technology for visually impaired users.
Why use a teleprompter app for low vision?
Teleprompter apps are an underrated tool for accessing text content in very large print sizes, especially for students and classroom environments. Benefits of using a teleprompter app for low vision include:
- High contrast text backgrounds are designed to be read for long periods of time, with larger font sizes to minimize eye strain from reading too-small font
- Large font sizes can be displayed without requiring horizontal scrolling to view an entire line of text. Teleprompters support a wide array of font sizes, including very large print sizes beyond 72 pt font
- Teleprompter apps can be displayed on mobile devices, providing a portable option for displaying large print text or for reading scripts
- Users can copy/paste text or import files into a teleprompter app to display information in a large font size without distorting display settings, which may provide a more comfortable viewing experience than screen magnification
- Teleprompter apps can provide a free or low-cost solution for enlarging text in large font sizes for users with print disabilities or that experience fluctuations in eyesight that affect the ability to read print
I personally use teleprompter applications for tasks like reading scripts or notes for a presentation, as well as for proofreading text visually at larger font sizes. It’s also helpful for reading text in a larger font size without a lot of distractions or for enlarging text quickly.
Related links
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
- Disability Accommodations For Fluctuating Eyesight
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Tablets
- Make Proofreading Feedback Accessible For Low Vision
Importing text to teleprompter app
Users have a few options for importing text to a teleprompter app, including copy/pasting text from the clipboard and importing files.
Copy/paste text can be quick to access and is helpful for enlarging text that doesn’t need to be saved for later use, or is already saved in another file. However, it is not ideal for sharing formatted text or large amounts of text, as formatting may not be preserved and large volumes of text may take longer to “paste” into a script.
Many teleprompter apps support options for importing text from another file, such as a Word document (.doc or .docx), Rich Text Format (.rtf), or Plain Text file (.txt). When possible, I highly recommend using a plain text file, which provides the best experience for reading text in a teleprompter app.
To convert Google Docs .docx files to plain text:
- Open a .doc or .docx file in Google Docs
- Select File from the toolbar
- Select Download, followed by Plain Text
- Save the Plain Text file to Google Drive or the file location of choice
- By default, the file will be exported without markdown syntax, such as headings, text formatting, or ordered/unordered list
Once the file is downloaded, users can import it into the teleprompter app of their choice using the file browser.
To convert Microsoft Word .docx files to plain text:
Note that the Microsoft Word application for iPad does not support exporting plain text files, so users will need to use a desktop application for this
- Open a .doc or .docx file in Microsoft Word
- Open the File ribbon
- Select Save a Copy
- From the drop-down menu below the file name, select Plain Text (.txt)
- Save the Plain Text file to cloud storage
- By default, the file will be exported without markdown syntax, such as headings, text formatting, or ordered/unordered list
Once the file is downloaded, users can import it into the teleprompter app of their choice using the file browser.
Access teleprompter with word processing applications
Microsoft Word and Apple Pages both support a teleprompter-style view for documents, which provide responsive font sizes and options for setting custom background colors.
To use Pages with a teleprompter-style view:
- Open a document in Pages
- Select the More button in the top right corner (three dots in circle icon)
- Select Presenter Mode
- Configure options by selecting Presenter Mode options (Aa icon)
- When finished, select Done to return to the document
To use Word with a teleprompter-style view (desktop application):
- Open a document in Word
- Select the Read Mode icon in the bottom-right corner (book icon) or use keyboard shortcut Alt + W, and then press F
- Use the zoom slider to increase the magnification of the document up to 500%, and select the View ribbon at the top of the screen to change the page color or spacing
- When finished, press the Escape key to return to the document.
Related links
- Tips For Using VDWrite In The Classroom With Low Vision
- File Formats For Low Vision and Print Disabilities
- Reading Bookshare Titles With Microsoft Word
- Recording Video Lectures For Visually Impaired Students
Web applications vs mobile applications
There are many free teleprompter apps online that can be used as web applications with no account or downloads required, which can be helpful for displaying text copy/pasted from the clipboard or displaying imported files that the user already has saved in another location. Some web applications and mobile applications also offer options for users to create accounts so they can save copies of teleprompter scripts for later access, which is useful for going back and reviewing text at a later time.
For users that have consistent internet access, creating an account with a web application provides a viable option for accessing files from any device or web browser, including web browsers on mobile devices. If internet access is not available, downloading a mobile or computer application would be a better option as this would support offline access.
Related links
Configure teleprompter text settings for low vision
While the default teleprompter display settings often include large print and high contrast displays, many applications also offer the following options to configure teleprompter text settings for low vision:
Font style
Teleprompter fonts are specifically designed for readability, and the vast majority of teleprompters use some type of sans serif font. Some applications provide users the option to choose a font from options like Helvetica, Arial, and Verdana, while other apps use a default sans serif font
Font size
Teleprompter applications often support much higher font sizes than traditional reading applications, as they are primarily used for reading text at a distance or in a TV studio. Some applications use a slider to set font sizes, while others provide an option to type in a specific font size.
Line spacing/text spacing
Also referred to as leading, line spacing plays a significant role in text readability, since lines that are too closely spaced are more difficult to track. In terms of accessibility, 1.5x or 2x (double) spacing is ideal for improved readability, and is typically the default spacing option for most teleprompter apps.
Background color/text color
By default, teleprompter apps display white or yellow text on a black background, which maximizes the contrast of text. When selecting custom text colors or background colors, I recommend checking the contrast of both colors to ensure that it will meet the user’s needs.
Margins
Margins refer to the main content of a page and the page edges, defining where a line of text begins and ends. With small margins, lines of text are longer, extending closer to the edge of the screen. Wide or large margins reduce the line length and provide additional white space around the content, placing it more towards the center of the screen.
Speed
When using a teleprompter app with auto-scrolling, the auto-scroll speed can be customized to move at a consistent rate without requiring the user to scroll with a mouse or finger. This can be helpful for reading text out loud or following along with spoken content.
Related links
Displaying text with a consistent style
One helpful way to use a teleprompter app as assistive technology for low vision is to display text content with a consistent style and visually simplified format. Reading content from a web page or document can be visually overwhelming at large font sizes due to the need for horizontal scrolling across a single line, the presence of toolbars and icons, and the potential of having letters/words cut off on the page or hyphenated to another line. This isn’t the case for reading with a teleprompter, as the content is designed to be shown with a larger font size with a simple high-contrast display, avoiding auto-hyphenation whenever possible.
Related links
- Simplified Reading Displays and Low Vision
- How To Use Invert Colors With Low Vision
- Adapting Page Layouts: Math Problems and Low Vision
Taking notes in very large print
While some teleprompter applications support editing text within the teleprompter view, most are designed so that users can read text that has already been written. Still, teleprompter apps can be utilized for taking notes in very large print in a few different ways, including:
- Importing or copy/pasting notes from another application to read them in large print, which can be useful for minimizing eye fatigue or eye strain from reading small print
- Taking notes from an article or content displayed in the teleprompter application in a separate document
- Displaying a copy of materials presented on the board/at a distance in very large print
Related links
Using a teleprompter app during presentations
Teleprompters are designed to be used during talks and presentations, though they may not be helpful for users with low vision if they are set up outside of their line of sight. Instead, users may prefer to set up a teleprompter app on a tablet or monitor that they can place directly in front of them and read from that during a presentation. Some users may find auto-scroll helpful for keeping them on pace, while others may prefer to scroll themselves and control how text is displayed.
When I use a teleprompter app for talks or presentations, I like to use my tablet as a teleprompter because I can adjust the position of the screen to fit under the bifocal in my glasses. As I mentioned earlier in the post, I’ve also used this strategy for school news programs to make scripts easier to read.
Related links
- School News and Low Vision
- Sideloading and Low Vision
- Participating In Drama and Theater Programs With Low Vision
More ideas for using teleprompter apps as assistive technology
- A teleprompter is a type of simplified reading display, which applies consistent formatting to text content for users with low vision in addition to text-to-speech. Learn more in Simplified Reading Displays and Low Vision
- Want to learn more about digital text accessibility? Read A to Z of Assistive Technology for Reading Digital Text
- Interested in more posts on assistive technology for reading? Browse Reading And Writing Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes (veroniiiica.com)
Published May 2, 2020. Updated September 2024