Published Paper Details:

In today's digitally driven education landscape, the availability of accessible learning resources is crucial for ensuring equitable participation among students of all abilities. Visually impaired learners, however, continue to encounter notable chal- lenges in engaging with digital content, which often restricts their academic progress and overall learning experience. Assistive technologies such as screen readers offer critical support by translating on-screen text, images, and interfaces into speech or Braille output. These tools help users with visual impairments interact with educational platforms and content with greater independence. One of the most widely recognized tools in this space is NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA), a free and open-source screen reader designed for Microsoft Windows. NVDA stands out for its flexibility, ease of use, and strong community-based development, which continuously enhances its features. Unlike commercial alternatives that may be cost-prohibitive, NVDA's accessibility and adaptability make it particularly valuable in educational settings with limited technological resources. This study provides a detailed assessment of NVDA's function- ality, focusing on its utility in academic environments. It explores the software's performance in carrying out routine educational tasks such as navigating web pages, reading documents, and accessing learning management systems. The evaluation also includes a comparative analysis between NVDA and proprietary screen reading solutions, highlighting both its advantages and areas needing improvement. The findings suggest that NVDA is an effective and inclusive digital tool that significantly contributes to the empowerment of visually impaired students in modern education.