Hi Jackie and all, I'm not sure what is required when switched on for the first time, so that may affect what I say below. However here's what I found with my own Kindle Keyboard. If I fail to describe it properly, my apologies here and now. Before you switch on, let's take a small tour. Provided the unit is switched off, press the keys described to get a general feel for them. On the bottom right are two horizontal buttons. The rightmost button is labelled "Back", and the one immediately left is "Home". Above the back button is what I can only describe as a raised tactile square with slightly rounder corners - a little larger than a finger tip. In the middle of this square is a button. The square acts like the four cursor keys on a PC. Press top to move up, right to move right, etc.. This is quite sensitive, so I tend to try and use a finger nail rather than the tip of my finger to press it. The middle button is like an "Enter" key. Above this, top right, is another oblong horizontal key called "Menu". And before we start, bear in mind that if you get lost, the "Home" key is usually your "get out of trouble" one if you get lost. On either side of the screen, are two keys. The top one is for going back a page, the bottom one for going forward to next page. Try them out to ensure you know how they feel, and remember they are there when you hold the Kindle. It's very easy to accidentally hold one down when handling the device. Finally, examine the front edge at the keyboard end. Toward the left is a protruding rocker volume control button. Press its left side to decrease, and right to increase volume, About 1cm or half an inch right of the volume control us a 3.5 millimetre headphone jack socket, and to the right of that a USB port. Finally right of that is the off-on, which is a spring loaded slider key. Slide to the right for about one or two seconds, absolutely not more, and release to turn on. Do the same to switch off. I give that warning because holding the On key too long, as I recall about 5 - 10 seconds, is a soft reset. BTW, between the Earphone and USB sockets is a tiny hole used for a very special hardware re-set, so while you should hopefully never need it, at least you know where it is. O.K. Let's see if we can turn on speech - and let's also hope your Kindle Keyboard behaves like mine. Switch on. Press the Home key to be sure you are home. Press the menu key. Press the down cursor key six times. Press the Enter Key. Press the page forward button at the side once. Press the Enter key - count to 10 and pray! Press the Home key. Hopefully when you return to the Home screen, it will start speaking. So what have we done in sighted terms? Simply gone to Menu, Settings, next settings page, and selected "Turn Voice on". Good luck - I'm off to Hawaii (Smile) George. -----Original Message----- From: access-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jackie Cairns Sent: 01 November 2012 11:30 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Kindle Keyboard Hi Paul I understand from what I know of Kindle that Amazon aren't responsive to any suggestions on the subject which is a great pity and probably at odds with DDA legislation these days? Kind Regards, Jackie Cairns -----Original Message----- From: access-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Paul Benson Sent: 01 November 2012 11:27 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Kindle Keyboard Hello Clive and all, Wouldn't it be wonderful if devices like these were programmed to speak upon switching on for their first use? After verbally welcoming the purchaser to the product, a short message explaining how to disable the voice permanently could be given. Everyone needing speech would be happy, and how could anyone not needing the speech complain about having to make a few keystrokes? Do any pressure groups think this idea is worth pursuing with manufacturers, until the idea becomes accepted as common industry practice? Paul Benson. -----Original Message----- From: Clive.Lever@xxxxxxxxxxx - Email Address: Clive.Lever@xxxxxxxxxxx Sent On: 01/11/2012 11:12 Sent To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx - Email Address: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Kindle Keyboard Hello all, If this has cropped up before, I probably didn't read, because at the time I didn't need to know. I've just found out that I should be getting a Kindle Keyboard for Christmas, so I too would be grateful for the answer to this one. In case anyone was thinking of replying off-list there may be others in the same boat. Best, Clive Clive Lever Diversity and Equality Officer Kent County Council Office: 01622 221163 Email: clive.lever@xxxxxxxxxxx Kent County Council Room G37 Sessions House Maidstone, Kent. ME14 1XQ -----Original Message----- From: access-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jackie Cairns Sent: 01 November 2012 11:05 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Kindle Keyboard Wondering if some kind soul could tell me if it is possible to initiate speech on the Kindle Keyboard without sighted assistance out of the box please? Apologies if this has been covered before. I am happy for responses off list to avoid traffic if you prefer. 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