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. Read&Write 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 and Write for Windows or Mac. Please login to the MyApps website to access Read and Write on your computer.
Seneca offers a wide range of AT and training in order to provide students with challenges to be as successful as possible. Please see Seneca’s Accessible Learning Services website for more details.
