Chapter 5: Academic Strategies
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Text-to-speech is a type of adaptive technology that will read text aloud to you. This can help in many ways:
- The text is read aloud, often as it is highlighted on the screen. The additional audio and visual cues can help your focus and minimize distractions.
- For those with reading disabilities who may struggle with pronouncing words or reading speed, text-to-speech can reduce these concerns and allow readers to focus on the content.
- For those with visual disabilities, it gives them access to readings that they may not be otherwise able to access visually.
- Those who learn better through auditory means can hear the words rather than just read them.
There are many different free and paid programs out there that have text-to-speech functionality, and many programs even have built-in reading functions. One of the most easily available text-to-speech programs is Google Read&Write. It is a free add-on to the Google Chrome browser that will read the text to you. There is also a premium paid version with additional features if you require more assistance.
Video: Read & Write for Google Chrome
Watch the video “Read&Write for Google Chrome™ – An Introduction” [2:00] to learn about Google Read&Write.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/4Bp0to8a9Z0
As a Seneca Polytechnic student, you have free access to Read&Write for Windows or Mac. Please login to the MyApps website to access Read&Write on your computer.
Seneca offers a wide range of AT and training in order to provide students with challenges tools to be as successful as possible. Please see Seneca’s Accessible Learning Services website for more details.
