Screen Reader

Join my Patreon for status updates. Leave feedback here.
                

Screen Reader adds narration and keyboard navigation to The Sims 4, providing accessibility support that is not available in an unmodded game.

The mod reads most parts of the game interface aloud, including tooltips, panels, dialogs, pie menus, notifications, and even the names of interactable objects in the world! It can also announce what your Sim is doing and lets you move through supported interface controls using the keyboard.

You do not need to have a screen reader installed to use the mod. When no compatible screen reader is detected, the mod will narrate the game using a Windows text-to-speech voice instead. Microsoft Zira is used by default, but the voice can be changed through the included configuration file.

Important Limitations

At this time, narration begins only after a lot has been loaded. The main menu, Create a Sim, and Manage Worlds are not currently supported. However, Live Mode and Build Mode are supported.

To have the mod speak through your own screen reader (NVDA, JAWS, Window-Eyes, ZoomText, SuperNova, and System Access), you will also need the free Speech Pack, found here.

⚠️ Windows only: This mod only works on Windows at this time. If you are on a Mac and interested in helping me test with a macOS screen reader, feel free to reach out.

Speech Modes

The mod includes four speech modes that control how supported interface elements are announced:

• Hover: Reads controls and interface elements as you hover over them.
• Manual: Press Numpad 8 or = to read the item you are hovering over.
• Beeps: Plays a short audio cue instead as you hover over things.
• Off: Disables the mod's speech and audio cues.

You can press Numpad 9 or Insert to cycle through the available speech modes in-game.

Keyboard Navigation

Num Lock must be enabled to use the numpad controls.

• Next control: Numpad 6 or \
• Previous control: Numpad 4 or -
• Select: Numpad 5 or Enter
• Clear focus: Numpad Period or either / key
• Read current: Numpad 8 or =
• Cycle speech mode: Numpad 9 or Insert

Hold a movement key to continue moving through controls. While a dialog or picker is open, the arrow keys can also be used: Up and Left move backward, while Down and Right move forward. Pie menus cannot be navigated with the arrow keys, but they can be navigated using Numpad 4 and Numpad 6 or the corresponding - and \ keys.

Installation & Configuration

Place the tyjokr_ScreenReader folder directly inside your Mods folder so the path looks like this: Mods\tyjokr_ScreenReader

Do not place it inside any additional subfolders.

If you use a screen reader or braille display, also extract the Speech Pack into your Mods folder the same way.

Enable Script Mods Allowed in Game Options, then restart the game.

The included README contains additional information about the mod’s controls, speech modes, supported screen readers, cheat commands, and available settings.

The tyjokr_ScreenReader.cfg file can be opened in Notepad to adjust narration, keyboard navigation, braille output, tooltip delays, the default voice, and other settings. Changes can be applied while the game is running by opening the cheat console with Ctrl + Shift + C and entering a11y.reload.

Compatibility

⚠️ This mod overrides several UI files to enable narration. Because of this, it may conflict with other mods that modify the user interface.

Some UI mods can be made compatible through the use of optional add-on files. These add-on files must be placed in a priority folder to load correctly.

Currently supported mods:

• weerbesu’s UI Cheats Extension

You can find the optional add-on files here.

ℹ️ You can find information on setting up a priority folder here.

Screen Reader is Base Game compatible and should work with all expansion packs, game packs, stuff packs, and kits.

This mod was made possible thanks to my generous Patrons, whose continued support allows me to dedicate time to projects like this.