TTS Applications

Text-to-speech is generally considered a support for students in two ways:

• Text-to-speech reads text to students, helping them better comprehend printed information.
• In word processing, text-to-speech will read back the typed text so the student can hear what they have written and then make revisions.
  

There are a wide range of students who may benefit from this software (O’Neill 1999):

• Students with a reading, learning, and/or attention disorder, or who struggle with reading
• Students who speak English as a second language
• Students with certain mobility problems
• Students who are blind or with low vision
  

As you begin to explore the potential of text-to-speech, consider these suggestions as a means to begin making your curriculum print materials accessible for use with TTS software:

• Convert classroom handouts and existing computer documents into digital text files. This will make these documents "ready" for text-to-speech reading.
• Convert existing tests or create new tests in a digital text format. Allow students the option to take tests via the computer with TTS enabled. Some programs also allow the student to hear what they type as a support for completing their answers as well as hearing the questions read aloud.
• Look for supplemental classroom materials on the Internet. Copy and paste text into a TTS program, or utilize free Internet text reading programs (such as Read Please).
• Explore websites that provide books in digital formats. Download these materials and interface with a text-to-speech program.
• Learn about the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS). Digital files of textbooks that your district has purchased from publishers may be obtained for students with print disabilities.