Voice to Text for Vision Impairment
When typing requires seeing the screen, every keystroke becomes a navigation challenge. Where is the cursor? Did that word autocorrect? Is the message formatted correctly? Blurt adds voice input to your accessibility toolkit. Hold a button, say what you need, release. Text appears at your cursor — ready for VoiceOver to confirm. Works alongside screen readers, not against them. For emails, messages, documentation, and everything that requires text input, your voice does the writing while your screen reader keeps you informed.
The Typing Problem
Typing blind means constant uncertainty
You can touch type, but without visual confirmation, doubt creeps in. Did you hit the right key? Is the cursor where you think it is? Did the app switch focus? Every text field is a small act of faith. You finish typing, then ask VoiceOver to read it back — only to discover a mistake buried three sentences ago. The error correction takes longer than the original typing.
Screen-based keyboard workflows assume sight
Modern typing is visual. Autocorrect suggestions pop up. Smart compose offers completions. Text fields resize. Cursor position matters. These features help sighted users but create friction for screen reader users. You're working against interfaces designed for people who can see them, adapting workflows that were never built with you in mind.
Built-in dictation doesn't play well with assistive technology
macOS Dictation exists, but it wasn't designed for VoiceOver users. The activation feedback is inconsistent. The transcription delay makes it hard to know when to continue. Error handling interrupts your flow. You end up juggling two systems that don't quite work together, each adding friction instead of reducing it.
Fatigue compounds throughout the day
When every text input requires extra cognitive load — confirming cursor position, verifying text accuracy, navigating unfamiliar interfaces — exhaustion builds faster than it should. By afternoon, you're rationing your energy. Some messages don't get sent. Some documentation doesn't get written. Not because you can't, but because each task costs more than it should.
You shouldn't need a workaround for typing
Typing is supposed to be the simple part. For everyone else, it's automatic — think, type, send. For you, it's a multi-step verification process layered on top of every communication. You've learned to work around the friction, but workarounds shouldn't be necessary for something as fundamental as putting words on a screen.
How It Works
Blurt integrates with your existing accessibility setup. VoiceOver stays active. Your screen reader keeps working. Voice input becomes another tool in your toolkit — not a replacement for what already works.
Hold your hotkey
Press your chosen keyboard shortcut. VoiceOver announces that Blurt is listening. The audio cue confirms recording has started.
Speak naturally
Say what you want to type. Punctuation and capitalization are handled automatically. No need to say 'period' or 'comma' — just talk.
Release and confirm
Text appears at your cursor. VoiceOver can read it back immediately. Review, edit if needed, or send — your screen reader keeps you informed throughout.
Real Scenarios
Composing emails with VoiceOver confirmation
Open your email client. Navigate to the compose field. Hold your hotkey and speak your message. Release. The text appears, and VoiceOver reads it back on demand. No guessing about typos. No wondering if autocorrect changed your meaning. You hear exactly what you wrote, then send with confidence.
Slack messages without keyboard navigation headaches
Slack's interface can be complex for screen reader users. Multiple channels, threads within threads, shifting focus. But once you're in the message field, Blurt simplifies the input. Hold, speak your message, release. VoiceOver confirms the text. Hit enter. Message sent without fighting the keyboard for every character.
Documentation that flows from thought to text
Writing documentation used to mean constant verification. Type a sentence, have VoiceOver read it back, fix mistakes, continue. With voice input, your thoughts flow directly to text. Speak a paragraph, review it once, make minor edits if needed. The documentation gets written because the input process no longer interrupts the thinking process.
Form fields without the cursor uncertainty
Web forms are a particular challenge. Tab to a field, start typing, wonder if focus moved unexpectedly. With Blurt, you navigate to the field with your screen reader, hold the hotkey, speak your response, release. VoiceOver confirms the field content. Move to the next field. Forms that used to be frustrating become manageable.
Notes during screen reader-announced meetings
During virtual meetings, you're already listening to content through your screen reader or headphones. Adding voice notes feels natural. Hold your hotkey, quietly dictate a key point, release. The note captures. Your hands stay on the keyboard for navigation while your voice handles the text input.
Code comments and documentation
Coding with a screen reader requires intense focus on syntax. But comments and documentation are prose — perfect for voice input. Navigate to where the comment belongs, hold your hotkey, explain what the code does, release. Your screen reader confirms the text. The explanation exists without pulling you out of code navigation flow.
Quick replies that don't interrupt your workflow
Someone messages you. You need to respond, but you're in the middle of a task. Switch to the message, hold your hotkey, speak a quick reply, release. VoiceOver confirms. Send. Switch back. The interruption takes seconds instead of minutes because you're not wrestling with text input on top of screen reader navigation.
Why users with vision impairment choose Blurt over built-in dictation
| Blurt | macOS Dictation | |
|---|---|---|
| VoiceOver compatibility | Designed to work alongside screen readers | Inconsistent VoiceOver feedback during dictation |
| Audio confirmation | Clear start/stop cues that work with assistive tech | Visual indicators that don't translate to audio |
| Reliability | Consistent behavior every time | Unpredictable — may fail silently without screen reader feedback |
| Punctuation handling | Automatic punctuation, no verbal commands needed | Must say 'period' and 'comma' explicitly |
| Speed | Text appears in under 500ms | 2-3 second delay makes it hard to maintain flow |
| Focus management | Works wherever your cursor is positioned | Can unexpectedly shift focus, disrupting screen reader navigation |
Frequently Asked Questions
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