ReadForce
Forces any display signal to become readable text.
Whatever app. Whatever platform. Whatever device.
When the app fails to cooperate
The screen reader has not failed. The app has failed to cooperate. But you experience the same thing either way: silence.
Software screen readers depend entirely on applications voluntarily exposing their content. When an app updates overnight, uses non-standard components, or simply never implemented accessibility support, the screen reader goes quiet with no warning and no recourse for the person who depends on it.
ReadForce does not depend on the app. It reads the pixels your screen is already producing — bypassing the application layer entirely. The accessibility API is irrelevant. The app's implementation is irrelevant. If the screen is showing it, ReadForce reads it.
That is what the name means. Not asks. Not requests. Forces.
The right tool for the right situation
ReadForce does not replace the built-in accessibility tools on most devices — and it is important to say that clearly. VoiceOver on iPhone and Mac, TalkBack on Android, and NVDA on Windows are mature, capable tools. NVDA is completely free. Windows Narrator is built in at no cost. On a modern smartphone, these tools will generally give you a richer experience than ReadForce.
ReadForce exists for when those tools are not available, not working, or not enough. Its primary use is smartphones and tablets — where apps routinely break accessibility without warning and there is no recourse. Beyond that, it works on any device that produces a display signal: kiosks, ATMs, lab equipment, industrial devices, older machines where nothing can be installed. Even a computer showing a BIOS error before the operating system loads.
One button. The same experience. Regardless of what device it is connected to.
A small box. A cable. One button.
Connects to any phone, tablet, or laptop via USB-C. Works with any device that can mirror its screen — and even many that officially cannot, if you are prepared to do a one-time setup.
| Component | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi mini-computer | £65 |
| Video capture card | £15 |
| USB-C cables and connectors | £15 |
| Button, speaker, LED indicator | £10 |
| Enclosure | £10 |
| Power supply | £10 |
| Total | Under £130 |
Full shopping list with part numbers and where to buy (coming soon)
All software runs entirely offline and is free for individual and charitable use. No licence fees. No cloud dependency. No subscription.
What devices does it work with?
ReadForce is designed primarily for phones and tablets. Most are supported — flagship Android devices and all iPhones work instantly. Budget Android devices need a one-time two-minute USB Debugging setup.
It also works with any device that produces a display signal: laptops, kiosks, ATMs, lab equipment, industrial screens, and older machines where accessibility software cannot be installed. If it has a display output, ReadForce can read it.
What ReadForce cannot do
ReadForce reads text that is visible on screen. It does not read text inside images, video, or very small or low-contrast text reliably.
It requires a physical USB-C cable connection. There is no wireless version, and this is not an oversight. The cable connection is the source of its core strength — it operates at the signal level, below any software restriction.
Some devices implement copy protection on their display output that prevents signal capture. This affects some content on some streaming apps.
It reads a snapshot of what is on screen when you press the button. It does not follow scrolling automatically, though a continuous reading mode is planned for a future version.
Being honest about these limits is part of what ReadForce is. If one of them matters for your situation, tell us — that is useful information.
Would this have helped you?
There is no form. Email, voice note, or WhatsApp — whatever suits you. A moment when technology let you down is exactly what I want to hear.
- Call or WhatsApp
- Call 07709 968 153 WhatsApp
Free for individuals and charities
All hardware schematics, firmware, and build documentation are published for individual and charitable use. Commercial use without permission is not permitted. Licensing details to follow. An Inclusion Vault CIC project.