Making The Sims 4 More Accessible with the Screen Reader Mod!

Screen Reader for The Sims 4 adds narration and keyboard controls, making Live Mode and Build Mode more accessible for blind and visually impaired players.

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A new Screen Reader for The Sims 4 mod from creator tyjokr is bringing a major accessibility-focused feature to the game. The mod adds narration and keyboard navigation to parts of The Sims 4 that do not currently have built-in screen reader support.

The goal is to make more of the game’s interface accessible to blind and visually impaired players. It can read many interface elements aloud, including tooltips, panels, dialogs, notifications, pie menus, and the names of interactable objects in the world. It can even announce what your Sim is currently doing.

How the Screen Reader Mod Works

One of the most useful parts of this mod is that you do not need to already have a screen reader installed. When the mod does not detect a compatible screen reader, it uses a Windows text-to-speech voice instead, with Microsoft Zira set as the default voice. The voice can also be changed through the configuration file.

For players who already use compatible accessibility software, the mod can also work with screen readers including NVDA, JAWS, Window-Eyes, ZoomText, SuperNova, and System Access. A free Speech Pack is required if you want the game to speak through your own screen reader or braille display.

Four Speech Modes Give Players More Control

The mod comes with four different speech modes, so players can decide how much audio feedback they want while playing. Hover reads supported controls as you move over them, while Manual lets you press Numpad 8 or the equals key to read the item currently under focus.

There is also a Beeps mode that replaces spoken narration with short audio cues, plus an Off mode that disables the mod’s speech and audio cues completely. Players can cycle through these modes in-game using Numpad 9 or Insert.

Keyboard Navigation Makes Controls Easier to Use

Screen Reader for The Sims 4 also adds keyboard navigation for supported interface controls. With Num Lock enabled, players can use the numpad to move between controls, select options, clear focus, and have the current item read aloud.

Numpad 6 moves to the next control, while Numpad 4 moves to the previous one. Numpad 5 or Enter selects an option, Numpad 8 reads the current item, and Numpad 9 or Insert cycles through the speech modes. Dialogs and pickers can also be navigated with the arrow keys, although pie menus use the numpad controls instead.

What Parts of The Sims 4 Are Supported?

There are a few important limitations to keep in mind. Narration currently starts only after a lot has loaded, and the main menu, Create a Sim, and Manage Worlds are not supported yet. Live Mode and Build Mode are supported, however, giving players access to important parts of everyday gameplay.

The mod is also currently Windows only. Players on Mac who are interested in using the mod are encouraged by tyjokr to reach out, so this is something that could potentially receive further attention in the future.

How to Install Screen Reader for The Sims 4

Installation is fairly straightforward, but the folder placement is important. Players need to place the tyjokr_ScreenReader folder directly inside their Sims 4 Mods folder, without putting it into another subfolder. Script Mods Allowed must also be enabled in Game Options before restarting the game.

If you use a compatible screen reader or braille display, the free Speech Pack should also be extracted into the Mods folder. The included README provides more information about controls, supported screen readers, settings, cheat commands, and other configuration options.

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

Compatibility and UI Mod Support

There is one compatibility warning worth knowing before installing. Since Screen Reader overrides several UI files to provide narration, it can potentially conflict with other mods that also modify The Sims 4’s user interface.

Optional add-on files can make some UI mods compatible, and tyjokr currently lists weerbesu’s UI Cheats Extension as supported through an add-on. The creator also explains that these files need to be placed in a priority folder to load correctly.

Final Thoughts

Screen Reader for The Sims 4 is a really meaningful addition for players who need or prefer accessibility tools while playing. By combining narration, speech modes, keyboard navigation, and support for several established screen readers, tyjokr is opening up more of The Sims 4 interface to players who have been missing this kind of functionality.

Stay tuned on SnootySims for the latest new gameplay mods and exciting Sims 4 updates. Be sure to follow us on on Patreon and all our social media channels, including Google, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and Tumblr. Happy simming, Simmers!