Reading word at mouse pointer w/o Universal Access

FROM : Ryan Homer
DATE : Fri Feb 29 02:27:06 2008

I've read this post (http://lists.apple.com/archives/accessibility-dev/2006/Aug/msg00007.html
) about using the accessibility options to read the text under the 
cursor. However, this requires that the user enable access for 
assistive devices in System Preferences. The application must 
therefore check for that. It also seems quite complicated; I don't 
want to have to deal with glyphs and the like - I only want the text 
under the cursor, full stop.

The Dictionary application is able to read a word under the cursor 
without enabling access for assistive devices.

Does anyone therefore know of an alternative way to do this?

Thanks in advance.