4.1 Introduction

This page contains the same built-in help text that Speaking Access reads out loud when a user says “Access Help”.

Each area of the program has its own help. When you say “Access Help”, Speaking Access automatically detects where you are (Main Task Area, Menu, POST Mode, or Spelling Mode) and reads the matching help for that area.

In the program, the screen shifts into a high-contrast help view (black background with large text) so the user can hear the instructions and also see the words as they are spoken. The user does not have to listen to the entire help message. Help is designed to be interruptible—the user can simply speak as soon as they have what they need, and continue working.

This web page is here so you can read all four help messages in one place without having to open Speaking Access and trigger them one-by-one.

4.2 Main Task Area Help

This section matches what Speaking Access says when you ask for help in the Main Task Area.

• You are currently in the Main Task Area.
• To access the main menu, say “Access menu”.
• If you need a lesson on how to use Speaking Access, say “Access The Basics”.
• For all available lessons, say “Access lesson plan”.
• To get help as you navigate the program, say “Access Help” whenever you enter a new area.

Example: If you want to start dictating, say “Open post mode”, then say “Access Help” for basic information to get started.

• Remember to speak at a comfortable pace and avoid speaking too quickly.

4.3 Menu Help

This section matches what Speaking Access says when you ask for help in the Menu.

• You are currently in the menu.
• To get a list of commands to control the menu, say “Menu Commands”.
• If you want to search for a specific word or phrase in the menu, say “Search Menu”.
• To exit the menu, either speak the command you are looking for or say “Close Menu”.
• You don’t have to wait for the entire menu to be read. Once you hear what you want, feel free to interrupt.
• To access any menu item, simply state the name without mentioning the number.
• Example: Say “Speaking Access Commands” to go to that list.
• If you want a description of an item, say “Description” followed by the item number.
• Example: Say “Description 2” for information about “Speaking Access Commands.”
• To have the loaded menu read out loud again, say “Access repeat menu”.

4.4 POST Mode Help

This section matches what Speaking Access says when you ask for help in POST Mode.

• You are in POST Mode. For a lesson on this, say “How To Dictate Text?”.
• To find the commands in the menu, say “Post Mode Commands”.
• After you speak into the microphone, Speaking Access will echo back your words and display them in the Word Box.
• Each new dictation refreshes the Word Box with your latest spoken words.
• To put the text from the Word Box into the Paste Box, say “Okay”.
• Pause between dictation and the time you say “Okay”.
• To send your text to wherever the cursor is blinking, say “Post” or “Access Post”.
• Make sure to learn about the Proofread and Remember commands to make your life easier.
• To exit POST Mode, say “Close Post Mode”.

4.5 Spelling Mode Help

This section matches what Speaking Access says when you ask for help in Spelling Mode.

• For spelling commands, say “Access Menu”.
• For a lesson, say “How To Spell A Word” when you are not in Spelling Mode.
• For an uppercase letter, say “Capital” followed by the letter. Example: “Capital T”.
• For a lowercase letter, say “The Letter” followed by the letter. Example: “The Letter B”.
• Another way to get a letter is to say a word that begins with the letter you want.
• Example: For the letter C, say “cat” or “canary”.
• Example: For a capital Y, say “Yukon” (or “Yellowknife”).
• To get a space in Spelling Mode, say “Space”.
• Single numbers 1 to 9 and symbols are available.
• When done, say “Okay” to add to the Paste Box.
• To post directly where the cursor is blinking, say “Post” or “Access Post”.
• To add the word to grammar, say “Proofread Word Box”.
• To exit, say “Exit Spelling”.