A text reader is a computer program that interprets computerized text, or text that has been scanned from a printed page, and then generates a voice that reads the text aloud to the user.
Useful features of text-to-speech software:
• Adjustable voice, speed, volume, phrasing;
• Adjustable tracking highlighting;
• Dictionary, thesaurus;
• Study skills toolbar;
• Notes: regular, voice, sticky;
• Extract notes: review, summary, outline;
• Ability to revise writing;
• Provide study skills and active reading support.
How Text Reading Software Works
Most text readers are designed to read aloud what is on the computer screen. Many were originally designed for the visually impaired. As these types of programs have become more sophisticated and affordable, they have been marketed to a larger population, including users with or without learning disabilities.
In order for a computer to read a piece of printed material, there are two processes that must take place. First, the printed material must be scanned using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The OCR software recognizes letters, words, and formatting within a scanned image and turns that image into a text file that can be edited by a word processor. Next, the text must be read by text-reading software — programs that synthesize a human voice to read the text.
A text reader can be critical for students with learning disabilities since it allows students to hear words on the screen. It becomes invaluable when used in conjunction with other technologies such as word prediction, word processing, and spell checking.
When students with learning disabilities move from high school into college, the reading demand increases significantly. Text readers allow students to get through large amounts of reading assignments that they could not have managed to read independently. Although getting the reading assignments into the computer adds a cumbersome step to the reading process, the time saved using the reading software far exceeds the time students take to scan their reading load. The good news, is that many publishers are moving towards web-based textbooks. Soon this accessibility to digital texts will be the standard, making text readers an essential tool for many students.
Text readers can be a feature of a word processing or a voice recognition program, or may be a separate program. Text readers such as IntelliTalk, Write:OutLoud, and Kurzweil™ 3000 are text-to-speech programs.
