Accessibility Extensions for Browsers

Relevant to: faculty, staff, and students

This article contains information considered accurate at the time of publishing. Technology updates, changes in University security practices, policies and procedures may effect the information in this article - updates to articles are scheduled on a periodic basis and will address any required changes.

Introduction

There are a variety of accessibility browser extensions available for use in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox. This article explains how to download and activate extensions in the above listed browsers, and provides examples of text-to-speech and dark mode extensions.

Adding Extensions in Google Chrome

To search for accessibility browser extensions in Google Chrome, first go to the Chrome Webstore. If you know the name of the extension you’re looking for, you can search the store for it, or you can navigate to the Accessibility category to browse various accessibility extensions.

Screenshot of chrome web store showing the search bar to search the store, and options for extensions, themes, and categories including all, recommended for you, and accessibility.

As an example, we'll go over how to add and use Natural Reader, a free text-to-speech extension which will read aloud text accessed through the Chrome web browser.

  1. Download the Natural Reader Chrome Browser Extension.
  2. After it's downloaded, locate the Extensions icon to the right of the address bar and pin the extension.

    Screenshot of Extensions options in Google Chrome browser, with a red arrow pointing to the extensions icon, and a circle around the pin icon for Natural Reader extension.

  3. To use Natural Reader, navigate to a website and then click the Natural Reader "N" icon. When navigating to a new website, you may need to re-select the "N" icon to activate the extension again.
  4. Once activated, click the play button to begin reading. To follow along with highlighted text, select the book icon. For additional settings, select the gear icon next to the book; there are options to change colors, reading speed, and more.

    Screenshot of Natural Reader toolbar, with red arrows pointing to the play button, the book icon, and the settings icon.

Follow the same steps to download and activate other accessibility extensions in Google Chrome, such as High Contrast, Dark Reader, or Read Aloud.

Adding Extensions in Microsoft Edge

To download accessibility browser extensions in Microsoft Edge, first go to Microsoft Edge Add-ons. You can search for an extension (add-on) or you can navigate to the Accessibility category to browse.

Screenshot of Microsoft Edge extension add-on window with the search bar and options for Home, Editor's Picks, Trending, Get Started, Themes, and the Accessibility category.

As an example, we'll go over how to add the extension Dark Reader, which changes websites to dark mode. (Note that this extension is also available in Chrome and Firefox.)

  1. First, install Dark Reader (select "get" and then "add extension").
  2. After it's downloaded, locate the Extensions icon to the right of the address bar (puzzle piece) and add Dark Reader extension to the toolbar by selecting the "show in toolbar" symbol.

    Screenshot showing how to access extensions in Microsoft Edge and add them to show up in the toolbar. A red arrow points to the extensions icon which looks like a puzzle piece, and a red arrow points to the open eye icon next to Dark Reader, showing it is visible in the toolbar. In the toolbar the Dark Reader icon is circled in red.

  3. To use the extension, select the Dark Reader icon. You can then toggle the extension on and off for websites, and adjust additional settings such as brightness or contrast.

    Screenshot of the Dark Reader extension in Microsoft Edge, used on SUNY Empire's website. The extension is on and there is an option to toggle it off, or filter for more dark or light, brightness, contrast, sepia, or grayscale.

Follow the same steps to download and activate other accessibility extensions in Microsoft Edge, such as Speechify (a text-to-speech tool).

Adding Extensions in Firefox

To search for accessibility browser extensions in Firefox, navigate to the Extensions icon to the right of the address bar (the puzzle piece icon).

Screenshot of extensions puzzle piece icon in Firefox.

As an example, we'll go over how to download and activate Read Aloud, another text-to-speech tool. (Note that it is also available in Chrome.)

  1. Download Read Aloud Extension in Firefox (select "add to Firefox" and then "add" again).
  2. Next, navigate to the extension icon again, select the gear icon next to Read Aloud, and select "pin to toolbar."

    Screenshot of how to pin an extension to a toolbar in Firefox browser. The extension icon (puzzle piece) is highlighted and the Pin to Toolbar option next to Read Aloud extension is also highlighted. There is also the option to manage extensions.

  3. Navigate to a website and click on the Read Aloud icon in the toolbar to activate. The tool will begin reading the website and there will be options to pause, stop, and go forward and back. Highlighted text will appear so that you can read along if desired. There are also options to increase or decrease the font size and zoom.

    A screenshot of the Read Aloud extension being used in Firefox on the SUNY Empire website. There are buttons to rewind, pause, stop, and go forward. The Read Aloud extension shows highlighted text as it reads the website. The text says: Hello! I'm Blue, SUNY Empire's chatbox. Ask me a question to get started! Empire State University Opens Veteran And Military Resource Center.

Follow the same steps to download and use other accessibility extensions in Firefox.

Disclaimers

Any plugins you add to your browser are not supported by SUNY Empire. By downloading plugins, personal data may be collected. Review the plugin's privacy statement before you install it.

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