Screen Readers & Text-to-Speech Synthesizers
Robobraille
Robobraille is a free online transcription service that translates a print
document into speech or braille. Upload a file in nearly any format to the
Robobraille Web Interface and follow the four steps indicated.
Natural Reader
NaturalReader is a free text-to-speech program that can be used to read
ASCII text files (filename extension .txt) and Rich Text Format (.rtf) files,
ONLY. This is its chief disadvantage. The main advantage is quality
integrated speech which avoids the robotic speech often encountered. A
Word file (.doc) must be saved in Rich Text Format or Text format before
being imported into Natural Reader:
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Open the Word document
Choose File > Save as ...
Select Rich Text Format (RTF) from the dropdown list of option.
Click Save. It is best practice to save all versions of the same file to the same
location.
To read a document in Natural Reader:
1. Save your Word document with filename extension .doc or .docx as a Rich
Text Document with a .rtf extension or a plain text file (.txt).
2. In Natural Reader, select the "New" menu item on the toolbar to clear the
interface.
3. Choose "Open" toolbar menu to open the selected file in the Reader
interface. You may also cut-paste text from any source document into the
interface.
4. Place the selection cursor where you want to begin reading and select "Read"
on the toolbar.
Balabolka
Balabolka (Russian for chatting) is a freeware Text-To-Speech (TTS)
program that can be used convert a PDF or Word file into readable on-screen
text and/or to an MP3 or Windows Media file. You may use the menu bar or
convenient toolbar to interact with the document.
DSpeech
DSpeech is a Text-To-Speech (TTS) program that reads aloud
written/electronic text and provides speech recognition functionality.
Download DSpeech from (scroll down the page to see description and
download links.) Program features:
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DSpeech reads many file types, e.g. Word, RTF, HTML, PDF. You may also
export the text in mp3 or wav audio
To highlight words as they are spoken, choose the Show tracking checkbox
under Options in the left hand of the application interface.
To view all the text in the viewport, select Word wrap under the Edit menu.
Otherwise text may extend beyond the border and require horizontal
scrolling.
Adobe PDF
Adobe Reader
To listen to a PDF file using the built-in Adobe synthesizer:
1. Install the latest version of Adobe Reader.
2. Open the PDF file in Adobe Reader
3. On the Reader menu, choose View > Zoom > Read Out loud to activate the
TTS feature
4. Repeat the previous step to open a reading menu.
5. Choose an option from menu, e.g. page only, to end of doc,... (note shortcut
keys, i.e. ctrl+shift+letter). tip: press Ctrl+H to view reading mode
Other Software
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Amis (Adaptive Multimedia Information System) is a free, open source
software program that allows you to read electronic books in DAISY format
(not RFB&D DAISY, AudioPlus). It is a self-voicing program, meaning no
speech synthesizer needs to be installed.
SpokenText
Speakonia is a Text-To-Speech Program which is controlled through a
graphical user interface (Similar to Notepad). Speakonia reads aloud any
given text. The reading can be paused, resumed and can be exported to a
wave file. Speakonia is able to fetch webpages through an internal http
interface and read them aloud for you. You can have your mails read to you
using the 'Clipboard Reading' feature.
Panopreter can read out Text, RTF, HTML and MS Word documents. You may
input characters, words, phrases or longer text into the interface window to
be read aloud. Create audio files in wave (.wav) and mp3 format, batch file
conversion supported. Download free Panopreter Basic.
E Text Reader IGT is a stable but large (25MB) TTS.
WordTalk is a free text-to-speech plugin for Microsoft Word.
Kindle Reading Apps - Free Kindle reader for PC, Mac and free book
collections for Kindle.
Blio eReader
E-Text Readers under $100
Program
Highlights Study Skills Price
Website
Source: Disability Compliance for Higher Education. Vol. 16, Issue 1, August 2010. Gaeir Dietrich
Adobe Reader
No
No
Free
www.adobe.com
Natural Reader
Yes
No
Free
www.naturalreaders.com
TextAloud
Yes
No
$29.95 www.nextup.com
Speaking Notepad
Yes
No
$29.95 www.quertystudios.com
ReadPlease Plus
Yes
No
$49.95 www.readplease.com
1st Read It Aloud
Yes
No
$19.95 www.quertystudios.com
The E-Text Reader
Yes
Yes
$79.95 www.readingmadeez.com
Text-to-Audio
No
No
$69.95 www.readingmadeez.com
Yes
$79.95 www.readingmadeez.com
Universal Reader Plus No
WordRead
Unknown Unknown
$95.00 www.enablemart.com
Last updated Feb. 24, 2011
Used with Permission of Pellissippi State Community College
Services for Students with Disabilities