An accessible archive client for blind and visually impaired users in South Africa.
Developed by Raeez Kuhn, also known as Eezo the Blind DJ.
Version 1.1
SA Access Archive is a Windows application for browsing and downloading files from an accessible archive over the internet, as well as browsing folders on your own computer.
It is designed from the ground up for blind and visually impaired users. Every part of the interface works with screen readers such as NVDA, JAWS, and Narrator. It is fully keyboard driven, with audio cues to confirm actions.
The project is South African, made by a blind South African developer, and aimed at the South African blind community.
- Browse folders on your own computer, with full screen reader support
- Connect to a remote archive over the internet using WebDAV
- Browse the remote archive the same way you browse your own folders
- Download files from the remote archive to your computer
- Search the current folder by typing part of a name
- Jump to items by pressing a letter or number
- View detailed information about any file, including size, dates, and path
- Save your preferences so the app remembers them next time
Blind and visually impaired users who want an accessible way to browse and download files, and access an archive of games, addons, apps, screen readers, tutorials, and other accessible resources from South Africa and beyond.
The app is also useful for any user who prefers a fast, keyboard-driven file browser.
- Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit)
- A screen reader (NVDA, JAWS, or Narrator) if you are a blind user
- An internet connection for connecting to remote archives
- No installation of Python or any other tool is required. The application is fully standalone.
- Download the SAAccessArchive folder to your computer.
- Extract it if it arrived as a zip file.
- Open the folder and find SAAccessArchive.exe.
- Press Enter or double-click to run it.
- If Windows shows a security warning, choose "More info" and then "Run anyway." This is normal for any application that is not yet signed with a commercial certificate.
There is no installer. The application runs directly from the folder.
When you first run the app, it opens in your Documents folder by default. To use the remote archive feature:
- Press Alt+S to open the Settings menu.
- Choose Server Settings.
- Enter the server address, username, and password for the archive you want to connect to.
- Choose Save.
- Press Alt+S again, and choose Connect to Server.
The archive you connect to will then appear in the list, and you can browse it like any folder on your computer.
To change where downloaded files are saved, press Alt+S and choose Set Download Folder.
To change which folder opens on startup, press Alt+S and choose Set Local Start Folder.
- Up and Down arrows: move through the list
- Home: jump to the first item
- End: jump to the last item
- A letter or number: jump to the next item starting with that letter or number
- Enter: open a folder, or download a remote file
- Backspace: go up one level
- Escape: clear a search, or close the application
- F5: refresh the current folder
- I: show detailed information about the selected item
- Ctrl+F: search the current folder by name
- Ctrl+D: download the selected remote file
- Ctrl+Q: quit
- F1: show the list of keyboard shortcuts
- Alt+F: File menu
- Alt+N: Navigate menu
- Alt+S: Settings menu
- Alt+H: Help menu
- Alt+A: About menu
The app plays short tones to confirm actions:
- A high tone when the app starts
- A soft click when a folder opens
- A rising tone when a download finishes
- A low tone when something fails
Sounds can be turned off at any time from the Settings menu. Choose Toggle Sounds.
Raeez Kuhn, known professionally as Eezo the Blind DJ, is a blind South African DJ and developer. He has been performing since 2014 on four-deck setups across South Africa, and has been featured in the Sunday Times, Daily Sun, SABC 1, GroundUp, The Citizen, and other publications.
SA Access Archive is his first software project, built to serve the South African blind community and to grow alongside his music and advocacy work.
- Linktree: linktr.ee/eezothebl
- Mixes: hearthis.at/eezo-the-blind-dj
- Patreon: patreon.com/aarons
- Donations: paypal.me/djeezo
- Fundraising: BackaBuddy, search "Eezo the blind dj"
- Facebook: DJ Eezo Official
- YouTube: @eezotheblinddj892
- TikTok: @dj_eezo_the_blind_dj
- X: @eezotheblinddj
- Phone: 067 820 8855
The following features are planned for future versions:
- Deep search across subfolders
- Favourites and bookmarks
- Download queue with pause and resume
- Multi-language interface, including Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, and Sesotho
- Support for additional protocols beyond WebDAV
- Auto-update notifications
Community feedback shapes what gets built. If you have a suggestion, get in touch using the contact details above.
SA Access Archive is a personal project built without funding. If you find it useful and want to help it grow, you can support the developer using the links above.
The greatest support you can give is to use the app, tell other blind South Africans about it, and send feedback about what works and what does not.
This project is currently in active development. Licensing terms will be confirmed in a future release. For now, feel free to use it personally, share it with other blind users, and send feedback to the developer.
Thank you for trying SA Access Archive. This application was built to be useful to the South African blind community, and every piece of feedback helps make it better.
Raeez Kuhn Eezo the Blind DJ South Africa