> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/nvaccess/nvda/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Introduction to NVDA

> Learn about NVDA, the free and open source screen reader for Microsoft Windows

## Welcome to NVDA

NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free, open source screen reader for Microsoft Windows. Developed by NV Access in collaboration with a global community of contributors, NVDA enables blind and vision impaired people to access computers running Windows for no more cost than a sighted person.

<Info>
  A short video demonstration, ["What is NVDA?"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCFyyqy9mqo) is available from the NV Access YouTube channel.
</Info>

## Product Vision

NVDA aims to create a world where blind and vision impaired people can independently and fully interact with the Windows Operating System and popular third party applications, enabling them to participate in and contribute to society.

Blind and vision impaired people are empowered to control their own destiny and ensure this vision through being able to significantly contribute to the technology that makes this possible. All blind and vision impaired people deserve these rights and opportunities, no matter the language they speak, their geographic location, economic status, or sensory, physical, cognitive, or mental abilities.

## Key Features

NVDA provides comprehensive accessibility features that enable users to interact with Windows and third-party applications:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Speech & Braille Output" icon="volume-high">
    Providing feedback via synthetic speech and Braille, with support for many refreshable braille displays
  </Card>

  <Card title="Popular Applications" icon="window-restore">
    Support for web browsers, email clients, internet chat programs, and office suites
  </Card>

  <Card title="Built-in Speech Synthesizer" icon="language">
    eSpeak NG supports over 80 languages out of the box
  </Card>

  <Card title="Text Formatting" icon="font">
    Reports textual formatting including font name, size, style, and spelling errors
  </Card>

  <Card title="Mouse Support" icon="computer-mouse">
    Automatic announcement of text under the mouse with optional audible position indication
  </Card>

  <Card title="Touch Gestures" icon="hand-pointer">
    Announcing controls and text while using touch gestures on touchscreens
  </Card>

  <Card title="Portable Version" icon="usb-drive">
    Ability to run entirely from a USB flash drive without installation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Remote Access" icon="network-wired">
    Connect to and control another computer running NVDA for remote assistance
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Multilingual Support

It is important that people anywhere in the world, no matter what language they speak, get equal access to technology. Besides English, NVDA has been translated into **56 languages** including:

* Afrikaans, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Aragonese
* Bosnian, Bulgarian, Burmese
* Cambodian, Catalan, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Croatian, Czech
* Danish, Dutch
* Farsi, Finnish, French
* Galician, Georgian, German (Germany and Switzerland), Greek
* Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian
* Icelandic, Irish, Italian
* Japanese, Kannada, Korean, Kyrgyz
* And many more...

## Accessibility Standards

NVDA supports common accessibility interfaces to ensure broad compatibility:

* Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA)
* Java Access Bridge
* IAccessible2
* UI Automation
* Windows Command Prompt and console applications

<Note>
  The ability to highlight the system focus helps sighted collaborators understand where the screen reader user is navigating.
</Note>

## Open Source & Community-Driven

NVDA is an open source project, meaning its source code is available to anyone who wishes to learn from and contribute to the project. Documentation is provided to ensure code can be understood and developers can get up and running with ease.

<Info>
  The vast majority of contributors to the NVDA project are blind or vision impaired, and are users of the product themselves.
</Info>

### License

NVDA is available under the **GNU General Public License version 2 or later**, with two special exceptions. You are free to:

* Share or change this software in any way you like
* Copy and use it on any number of computers
* Receive future updates free of charge

All modifications must be accompanied by the license and source code must be made available to anyone who wants it.

## Community Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Get Support" icon="life-ring" href="https://www.nvaccess.org/get-help/">
    Support and information for NVDA users
  </Card>

  <Card title="Report Issues" icon="bug">
    Report bugs or request features through the project's issue tracker
  </Card>

  <Card title="Download Add-ons" icon="puzzle-piece">
    Browse and install add-ons directly from within NVDA
  </Card>

  <Card title="Join the Community" icon="users">
    Connect with other users and experts through mailing lists and social media
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  The NVDA project has a [Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct](https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md). All contributors and community members are expected to read and abide by the rules set out in this document.
</Note>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Installation Guide" icon="download" href="/installation">
    Learn how to download and install NVDA on your computer
  </Card>

  <Card title="Quick Start" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
    Get started with NVDA's basic commands and features
  </Card>
</CardGroup>