Voice Based ICT Software and Resources
Author: Gerry Kennedy © August 2012
Voice Based ICT Software and
Resources
There are many options in accessing MS Windows and MAC OS computers with
voice. Either voice recognition (speaking into a microphone) or text to speech
(voice output) need to be carefully researched and scrutinised. Some relevant
resources are listed in this document with hyperlinks to the web sites where
software can be downloaded as freeware, Open source or as trial copies.
It is always a good option to test, experiment and play with software before
committing to an option. Free software or programs at no cost are not
necessarily the best or the most ideal option - but are useful in educating a
person to options in that genre. They also provide good short term solutions,
especially where funding is difficult. Sometimes they fulfil a need without any further research or intervention. It is not a one-fix solution
and so a number of programs may be required. Every student is different and unique and so are their abilities and differences.
With most text to speech programs, only the voice installed on the host computer (e.g. Microsoft Anna) will be available. The
commercial programs have higher quality voices and are worth pursuing and acquiring.
Text to Speech Programs that will voice or speak text
Read Please 2003 text-to-speech software with 10 other language voices. Ideal for older computers (Win 2000, XP) Freeware
Natural Reader V10 software is intuitive and very easy to use. Versions are available for MS Windows and MAC OS. Freeware and
commercial versions are available with high quality voices in the commercial programs.
Coolspeech
A very useful text to speech player (Shareware)
Text Sound V2.0 It has some useful features
SpeakComputer A new program with 6 TTS options, are all accessed from a floating toolbar
EmacSpeak
Ideal for Internet sites using Linux operating system
E-triloquist
E-triloguist has some interesting features and supports people who cannot speak for themselves
Orato
It is ideal for reading – voices anything in the clipboard
TextAloud V3
It has numerous features and functions
GhostReader
For MAC OS users- an excellent option
Ogif’s TalkAny
An old program that has been reengineered to operate on MS Windows Vista and 7
Author: Gerry Kennedy (c) August 2012 - Gerry Kennedy IT Consultancy E: specmelb@bigpond.net.au M: 0411 569 840 P: 03 9894 4826
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Voice Based ICT Software and Resources
Author: Gerry Kennedy © August 2012
Text to Speech Programs that have voiced spell checker options (free)
Lingoes A free voiced dictionary and translation tool (while being used with an Internet connection)
www.wordtalk.org.uk
WordWeb
WordTalkV4.2 is a set of tools within MS Word including spell checker & basic thesaurus - Freeware
A thesaurus with speech - Freeware
Note: The latest MAC OS computers have Karen and Lee as options in the operating systems: Check out:
http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/blog/tools-and-resources/karen-and-lee-voices-available-on-mac-os/
Text to Speech Programs that will convert text to audio (TTA)
WordTalk
An add-in for MS Word on MS Windows with many useful features and functions
DSpeech
It will convert text to WAV, MP3, OGG, WMA formats
Balabolka
Converts to different formats as well with spell checker and even has a built-in magnifying glass
2nd Speech Centre - Has sound converter features - (Shareware)
Text to Audio
Sound conversion utility - (Shareware)
Natural Reader – Pro V10 is approximately (USD $49.50) for a single user
licence
Text to Speech Programs supporting other languages
DSpeech
Balabolka
Natural Reader
ReadPlease 2003
Text to Speech in MS PowerPoint (Windows only) presentation mode
PowerTalk V1.2.1 software voices text and word art in MS
PowerPoint presentations. Freeware
Author: Gerry Kennedy (c) August 2012 - Gerry Kennedy IT Consultancy E: specmelb@bigpond.net.au M: 0411 569 840 P: 03 9894 4826
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Voice Based ICT Software and Resources
Author: Gerry Kennedy © August 2012
Spelling and Grammar Supports - Freeware
MyStudyBar
A literacy toolbar from the EduApps site in Scotland
AccessApps
Fifty free apps that run from USB drives
Access Tools
ECS Accessibility Team - will run from USB flash drives
Text to Speech Programs – Commercial Literacy Supports
Texthelp Read and Write (Standard or Gold) – Windows or MAC OS
ClaroRead – MS Windows or MAC OS versions
Wynn – MS Windows
Kurzweil Windows or MAC OS versions
Medialexie a program from France that has some interesting features and functions
Text to Speech in Web Browsers
Atbar
Change the look and feel of web pages, have text read aloud and spell check forms and it is free
BrowseAloud A flexible and powerful commercial option
Aloud4ie adds text-to-speech capabilities to MS Internet Explorer
Google Chrome V11 TTS A new option that operates in the Chrome browser
SpeakComputer Text to Speech Browser A free text to speech add-in that runs in a browser window
WebbIE
It is a free text-only browser and works really well with screen reading software (e.g. Jaws, Thunder and NVDA)
ChromeSpeak
It requires the Google Chrome browser
Screen Reading Software
Jaws
Commercial screen reading software
Thunder
A freeware program
NVDA
Open Source screen reader for MS Windows
Author: Gerry Kennedy (c) August 2012 - Gerry Kennedy IT Consultancy E: specmelb@bigpond.net.au M: 0411 569 840 P: 03 9894 4826
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Voice Based ICT Software and Resources
Author: Gerry Kennedy © August 2012
Speech Recognition - Free
Built in to MS Windows Vista and Windows 7
Built in to MAC OS X versions
Voice Searcher (requires Google Chrome)
TalkTyper (requires Google Chrome)
MyStudyBar (versions for Windows Vista and 7 only)
Speech Recognition - Commercial
Dragon Naturally Speaking V11.5
Dragon Dictate2 for MAC OS
SpeakQ (requires WordQ)
Medialexie toolbar – dictation
Digital Pens – Audio Recording
Livescribe models (Echo, Pulse – 2BG to 8GB models)
SL Voice Recorder Pen
StealthTek Audio Pen 5
Arrow USB Flash Digital pen
Reading Pens – OCR with voice
Oxford Reading Pen 2
Author: Gerry Kennedy (c) August 2012 - Gerry Kennedy IT Consultancy E: specmelb@bigpond.net.au M: 0411 569 840 P: 03 9894 4826
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Voice Based ICT Software and Resources
Author: Gerry Kennedy © August 2012
Spelling and Grammar Supports
Ghotit
For users with dyslexia, dysgraphia and other writing difficulties
Ginger Grammar and Spell
checker
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Also Read & Write,
ClaroRead and Wynn
iOS Apple Apps – Text to Speech
Text to speech is built in to iOS devices (using Karen’s voice)
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Many apps have text to speech options built in or use Apple’s licensed version of Karen
Numerous note taking Apps have TTS options
Abilipad, SpeakIt, PDF Reader Pro
SVox voices for Android are available for Android phones and tablets
iOS Apps – Speech Recognition
SIRI is inbuilt into iPhones (4 and 4s models) and the latest iPad
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Dragon Dictate - iOS
Dragon Search – iOS
Dragon Recorder - iOS
Dragon Microphone - iOS
Dragon Go (Android devices)
Additional Resources and Articles
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Universal Access to Text to Speech
Universal Access to Text to Audio
Universal Access to Speech Recognition
Universal Access to Text – Literacy Support for ESL Students
Universal Access using OCR with Printed Text
Imbedded Use of Inclusive Technologies - NDCO – www.ndco.cds.org.au/index.php/it
Making Textbooks accessible – E A Draffan
British Dyslexia Association – Tools to Support Study Strategies
Assistive Technology – Outcomes and Benefits – Kelly Fonner
Author: Gerry Kennedy (c) August 2012 - Gerry Kennedy IT Consultancy E: specmelb@bigpond.net.au M: 0411 569 840 P: 03 9894 4826
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