3. Text to Speech
A summary of text to speech applications
Downloadable Portable Online Cloud based
Icons by http://dryiaacons.com
4. Text to Speech
• TTS software reads selected areas of text aloud to the user.
• They range in type from commercial software, with many
additional features such as spelling and homophone checkers,
to free and open source applications.
• The potential users of text to speech software are diverse;
many people in an organisation may have difficulty with
reading that they would normally conceal.
• Organisations which have installed TTS software across all of
their computers have found many of their users will use it as
required by their individual needs.
(Ref: Techdis http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/ )
8. Writing Support Portable
Lingoes Talking Dictionary
Download from http://www.lingoes.net/
9. Orato Portable
Orato is a straight forward text to speech
application. Simply highlight some text,
Press speak and Orato will read back words
highlighting them as you. Helpful for people with poor
vision, dyslexic learners and those who need help reading
text
Download from http://www.fx-software.co.uk/assistive.htm
Scroll down to about the middle of the page to get to the Orato download.
11. Balabolka Portable
Balabolka is a very good free
Windows text-to-speech tool.
It includes magnification
(2X to 16X) and spell checking.
It is also keyboard accessible.
This software will create audio
files on an iPod
or other mobile device.
http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm
12. Students using Dspeech
(another free TTS tool) to
learn lines for performances
Dspeech will
hook into the speech
engine on any
windows PC you
use and will either
read out text or
convert to MP3
http://tiny.cc/DSpeechStudentUse
13. MyStudyBar
http://eduapps.org/
• Planning - Xmind mind map, sunbird portable calendar and
HottNotes
• Reading - T-Bar, RapidSet, ssOverlay (screen tints) Vu-Bar screen
ruler, Orato text reader.
• Writing - LetMe Type - word prediction, Lingoes talking dictionary,
Balabolka text to speech/mp3, stamina touch typing.
• Vision - Magnifier, Sonar cursor ring.
14. Opening MyStudyBar
1. Insert your MyStudyBar
pen drive into the USB Slot
on your computer.
2. Click on ‘My Computer’
which will either be on your start
menu or on your desktop.
3. Select the folder called
‘MyStudyBar’
16. Activity
Now it is your turn to try out
some of the technologies.
Choose one or two of the following:
Lingoes, Orato or Balabolka
17. Livescribe Echo Pen
• Allows users to record
audio and write text for 5.5
hours.
• Students can use it to
• Synches to Evernote and
sets up evernote file as pen
is set up.
• Connect wirelessly and via
cable.
• Learn more from a student using Livescribe
18. Texthelp Read & Write Gold
• Speech feedback
• Read as you type.
• Web highlighting – hover over text in a
browser and the text will be read and will
highlight text.
• Speech maker saves text as MP3.
• Also reads Digital Talking Books (also known
as DAISY format).
19. RoboBraille
Web based text to speech
http://www.robobraille.org/online
Watch a video about RoboBraille
http://bit.ly/abkbz6 *
Learn now to convert pictures to words and
text to sound using RoboBraille
http://bit.ly/p9nqZc
With RoboBraille you can save to MP3 or Digtial Talking Book/DAISY Format
24. For many learners it is important to
have devices that don’t say
“I have a disability!”
as soon as you walk into a
room with one.
Rummel-Hudson, R.
Making weird cool 5 April 2010,
http://tinyurl.com/3236qbq
26. Audio Note
• iPad, iPhone, Android, Windows.
• Record audio and type notes as
you listen.
• Can be reviewed and text is
highlighted in blue as audio is
read back.
• Tap a specific part of the text and
it will jump to the section.
• Can be emailed as an audio file
and pdf.
• Large audio files cannot be
emailed.
http://luminantsoftware.com/iphone/audionote.html
27. Paperport notes
PaperPort Notes a free
app that you can use to
take notes on an iPad
using either a keyboard,
your handwriting, or your
voice.
Add different page types
(yellow, white, graph,
blank or lined).
Add text, record audio to
listen to again later, add
images, add clips from
webpages, offers voice
recognition
28. Educreations
Educreations turns
the the iPad into a
recordable
interactive
whiteboard where
learners can note
both text based http://www.educreations.com/
information and
handwritten notes
on the iPad using the
notetaking facility,
and in addition could
record audio using
the audio record
function. http://www.educreations.com/
30. Activity
Now it is your turn to try out
some of the technologies.
Choose one or two of the following:
Paperport Notes, Audio Note or Educreations
31. Clarospeak for iPad
• Text to speech application
with quality voices and
synchronised text
highlighting.
• Can import texts to read
or use to write your own.
• Can save text as audio.
• Colour options available
for font, highlighting and
background.
• RNIB App of the month
June 2012
http://tiny.cc/ClaroSpeak-iPad
32. SpeakIT
• Copy and paste text
into Speak It
• Option of 4 English
speaking voices
• Change font size,
volume and voice
speed.
• Save as audio to save
or email to others.
http://tiny.cc/SpeakIT
33. Prizmo for iPhone or iPod Touch
• Capture an image of text.
• Scans pages, documents or bills.
• Allows users to improve page by cropping, or
adjusting the perspective.
• Read back using one of the Prizmo voices which can
be purchased for an additional £1.99.
• Text can also be translated into other language.
http://vimeo.com/16203192
34. Captura talk - Android
• CapturaTalk Android App makes text accessible on
the move.
• An app that provides literacy support to improve
reading and writing skills on Android mobile phones
and tablet devices.
• This is a portable solution using Android mobile
phones/tablets. Uses optical character recognition
and text to speech to help those who find reading
difficult.
• £48
• http://www.emptech.info/product_details.php?ID=2397
35. Cloud Services: A new paradigm
• Have the capacity to level the playing field where those with
disabilities can acquire the tools they need all in one place.
• No longer tied to their personal computer.
• No longer situated on a dedicated machine in library/class/public
area or ‘specialised’ area for enabling technology users.
• Confidently and freely access information and documents
empowering those that need assistive technologies.
• Solutions/tools will be a few keystrokes away.
http://gpii.net/
36. Azzapt from Iansyst
• Azzapt is a service for anyone who
needs to access documents in different
formats.
• Azzapt is especially helpful for people
with dyslexia or a visual impairment,
but it is also handy for anyone who
needs personalised documents on the
move.
• You can access your documents
wherever you are because azzapt
makes your documents available to
you on any computer, tablet or
smartphone.
• You can personalise your azzapt
settings so that your documents are
available in the format you prefer. This
can be different on each type of device
that you use.
38. JISC TechDis Toolbox
• TechDis Toolbox is a collection of resources which
give useful hints and tips on technologies that can
help individuals work smarter.
• It is aimed directly at the end users – learners.
• Bite-sized videos and animations, short guides, audio
files and ‘how to’ word documents
• Small bits of just-in-time information that can be
easily absorbed.
• www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/tbx
39. Activity
• Spend 5/10 minutes exploring the Techdis
Toolbox to find resource that would
support TTS.
• Refer to your handout for further
reference.
www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/tbx
40. Balabolka tutorials
JISC Techdis have created a range of tutorials
demonstrating how to use Balabolka.
http://tiny.cc/Balabolka_Tutorials
41. References
• Tried and tested apps for iPhone and iPad (EA
Draffan, Cheryl Dobbs, Aaron Smith for the
British Dyslexia Association)
http://access.ecs.soton.ac.uk/blog/accessiblog/2011/
• University of New Hampshire Disability Services
for Students
• http://www.unh.edu/disabilityservices/ipod-
ipad-and-android-apps-college-students
42. • Apps for dyslexia (BDA)
http://bdatech.org/what-technology/small-
portable-devices/apps/
• Advice for multiple use of iPads/iPods
http://learninginhand.com/blog/classroom-
ipod-touches-ipads-dos-and-donts.html
Editor's Notes
Link advisors with particular responsibility for liaising with a groups of supported institutions / Generic advisors with specialisms / Transition advisor/s interim appointments during transitional period. 4 vacancies 2 genric (learning reosurces & learning technologies) + 1 transitional + 1 p/t administrator.
A summary of text to speech options.
TTS software reads selected areas of text aloud to the user. They range in type from commercial software, with many additional features such as spelling and homophone checkers, to free and open source applications. The potential users of text to speech software are diverse; many people in an organisation may have difficulty with reading that they would normally conceal. Organisations which have installed TTS software across all of their computers have found many of their users will use it as required by their individual needs. (Ref: Techdis http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/ )
Clarospeak for IOS iPhone / iPad (£3.99) Paperport notes for iPad (free) Audionote for Android, iPad & iPhone (£2.99) Speak it TTS for iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad (£1.49) Speak it TTS for Android (free) Educreations for iPad (free) Prizmo scanning, OCR & speech for iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad (£6.99)
Evaluation of Free Technologies
Lingoes Talking Dictionary Lingoes is an easy-to-use talking dictionary. Who would benefit? Lingoes can help individuals with literacy or language support needs. Main features: Easy-to-use powerful word search. Customise colour and font settings. Text-to-speech. Works with web applications such as Google, Wikipedia, and Wiktionary etc.
A straight forward text to speech application. All text input is carried out through the clipboard. Settings allow Orato to read either on demand or automatically when new text is added to the clipboard. Other options will display the text if required, with highlighting of the word or sentence being spoken. Orato can either be installed to the hard disk or copied onto a pen drive for portable use.
The Scottish Government funds CALL Scotland to provide a Scotland-wide schools licence for 'Heather' and 'Stuart' - high quality Scottish computer voices from CereProc in Edinburgh. The voices are licenced for schools, colleges, universities and NHS patients. http://www.thescottishvoice.org.uk/Home/
Balabolka is a very good free Windows text-to-speech tool . It includes magnification (2X to 16X) and spell checking. It is also keyboard accessible. This software will create audio files on an iPod or other mobile device.
Students using free TTS audio tools to learn lines for performances
Planning - Xmind mind map, sunbird portable calendar and HottNotes Reading - T-Bar, RapidSet, ssOverlay (screen tints) Vu-Bar screen ruler, Orato text reader. Writing - LetMe Type - word prediction, Lingoes talking dictionary, Balabolka text to speech/mp3, stamina touch typing. Vision - Magnifier, Sonar cursor ring.
Insert your MyStudyBar pen drive into the USB Slot on your computer. Click on ‘ My Computer ’ which will either be on your start menu or on your desktop. Select the folder called ‘ MyStudyBarXPV3 ’
Now it is your turn to try out some of the technologies.
0 mins -1.38 mins. 3.35 mins – 7.01 Echo (2gb and 8gb) jack plug smaller, new better ear buds, record audio and write text for 5.5 hours. Usb straight into pen not dock. Myscript for Livescribe End of march - livescribe for evernote which still can be attached by cable but myscript and livescribe is disappearing. Synches to Evernote and sets up evernote file as pen is set up. Connect wierelss pen via cable
Speech feedback Read as you type. Web highlighting – hover over text in a browser and the text will be read and will highlight text. Speech maker saves text as MP3. Also reads Digital Talking Books (also known as DAISY format).
RoboBraille Web based text to speech http://www.robobraille.org/online Watch a video about RoboBraille http://bit.ly/abkbz6 * Learn now to convert pictures to words and text to sound using RoboBraille http://bit.ly/p9nqZc With RoboBraille you can save to MP3 or Digtial Talking Book/DAISY Format
Now it is your turn to try out some of the technologies.
Speak Selection – built in iPhone /iPad TTS
Record audio and type notes as you listen. Can be reviewed and text is highlighted in blue as audio is read back. Tap a specific part of the text and it will jump to the section. Can be emailed as an audio file and pdf. Large audio files cannot be emailed.
PaperPort Notes stands head and shoulders above any other iPad app I’ve tried, in terms of its potential to support individuals who struggle with writing. Text can be written with the keyboard, with a stylus, or dictated by voice. As well, audio recordings can be attached to any note. It is the speech-to-text that sets this app apart. Whenever the keyboard is called up, the user has the option of dictating by voice. Using only the built-in iPad mic, I found the accuracy to be almost flawless, even when dictating with low levels of background noise present. As is the case with Dragon Dictation, the iPad must be connected to the Internet for speech-to-text to function. PaperPort Notes is from Nuance, who are also responsible for Dragon Dictation. As is the case with the Dragon app, text-to-speech is only available via Speak Selection when the keyboard is visible. The opportunity to hear what has been dictated is important for anyone who struggles with both reading and writing. There are numerous other features that make PaperPort useful. These inlude the ability to create text boxes and sticky notes, to incorporate images, and to conveniently import and annotate files and web pages, or even cropped parts of web pages. Notes can be created on a yellow or white lined page, a blank page, or on a graphing page. The image below illustrates just a few of these possibilities. , There are multiple options for sharing notes–via email, into Google Docs, DropBox, etc. Notes can also be printed directly to an AirPrint printer. Or, notes can be opened in other iPad apps as PDF files. A 20 page User Guide is made available by clicking on the ‘Help’ tab. This can be viewed within the app or downloaded as a PDF file.
Educreations turns the the iPad into a recordable interactive whiteboard where learners can note both text based information and handwritten notes on the iPad using the notetaking facility, and in addition could record audio using the audio record function.
The search engine for apps - Quixey www.quixey.com
Now it is your turn to try out some of the technologies. Choose one or two of the following: Rapidset, SSOverlay, Orato, Balabolka, LetmeType Follow the instructions in ‘ MyStudyBar Activities and Instructions ’ hand-out
ClaroSpeak is a high-quality text-to-speech reader capable of speaking any accessible text with a range of human-sounding high-quality voices. ClaroSpeak offers the option of visual highlighting in-sync with the spoken words – and a great range of colour and font settings to allow for optimum reading. ClaroSpeak is a quality app for proofreading text through listening, helping with reading and literacy development and creating audio files from any text. Text-to-Speech • Users can import documents and PDFs into ClaroSpeak from apps such as Mail, or import PDF, Word, Pages and other files directly from Dropbox using ClaroSpeak's Dropbox integration. Text can be typed into ClaroSpeak and then spoken back. Users can check text and proofread quickly and easily. • Text from any app can be copied and pasted into ClaroSpeak ready to be read back. • With the iPad 3 and iPhone 4S Apple’s speech recognition can be used to dictate text directly into ClaroSpeak, and can be listened back to ensure it is right. • Save the text as an audio file using the same high-quality voice. Visual Highlighting Text is highlighted as the text is read back. Highlighting allows users to coordinate reading and listening. ClaroSpeak lets users pick the colour and style of highlighting required. There are four highlighting modes to choose from: None, Word by Word highlighting, Word Trail highlighting or Sentence highlighting. The Word Trail feature makes words colour progressively as they are spoken by ClaroSpeak. ✔ Font and Colour Change the font size, colour or use a more-readable font to maximise ease-of-reading, making ClaroSpeak easily adaptable to different users' needs. ✔ Save to Audio Convert any text into an audio file with any of the high-quality voices. This is quick and easy, allowing text to be listened to on the move. Great for proofreading on the go. ✔ Send Text Text created within ClaroSpeak can be emailed, sent via SMS, or copied and pasted into another app, like Safari – great to help ensure everything is right. The Apple spellcheck works in ClaroSpeak too, further helping accuracy. ✔ Dropbox Integration Open documents stored in Dropbox directly in ClaroSpeak. Save text and audio files directly back to Dropbox. Great for transferring files between devices and keeping files in the cloud. ✔ Language Learning ClaroSpeak can assist with second language learning and vocalisation. A French and a Spanish voice are included in this edition so users can hear text in a foreign language spoken aloud and listen back to their own text as it is typed – great for learning how to pronounce the text correctly. In-app purchases are available to allow users to buy more voices. ClaroSpeak is the first assistive technology related text to speech/reader available from Claro Software to assist visually impaired users to make it easy to go through the text on iPads or iPhones. "For ease of reading there is an option of visual highlighting, it means that the text is highlighted with the spoken words. The colours and fonts can be changed as per user preference. "ClaroSpeak comes with a range of human voices and is available in different languages. ClaroSpeak can be very helpful for students or users trying to learn a second language and its vocalisation. Claro have included Spanish and French voices as standard. "This app can be a handy tool for a user to proofread large data while on the move with either reading directly from the accessible text or after converting the text into an audio file and this option will also attract students to have their study material read while on the move. "The text created by ClaroSpeak can be sent as a text or email. This app can be used as a reading and literacy development tool among users suffering from dyslexia or other learning difficulties where the user finds it harder to read text and go through the large data. "Please note that this app is not for the users who don't have any useful sight as they can use Voiceover which is an inbuilt utility and comes preinstalled on the iPhone or iPad as a part of their accessibility options. But they can still use the app to create an audio file".
Copy and paste text into Speak It Option of 4 English speaking voices Change font size, volume and voice speed. Save as audio to save or email to others.
Capture an image of text. Scans pages, documents or bills. Allows users to improve page by cropping, or adjusting the perspective. Read back using one of the Prizmo voices which can be purchased for an additional £1.99. Text can also be translated into other language. http://vimeo.com/16203192
CapturaTalk Android App makes text accessible on the move. An app that provides literacy support to improve reading and writing skills on Android mobile phones and tablet devices. This is a portable solution using Android mobile phones/tablets. Uses optical character recognition and text to speech to help those who find reading difficult. £48 http://www.emptech.info/product_details.php?ID=2397
Have the capacity to level the playing field where those with disabilities can acquire the tools they need all in one place. No longer tied to their personal computer. No longer situated on a dedicated machine in library/class/public area or ‘ specialised ’ area for enabling technology users. Confidently and freely access information and documents empowering those that need assistive technologies. Solutions/tools will be a few keystrokes away. http://gpii.net/
Azzapt is a service for anyone who needs to access documents in different formats. Azzapt is especially helpful for people with dyslexia or a visual impairment, but it is also handy for anyone who needs personalised documents on the move. You can access your documents wherever you are because azzapt makes your documents available to you on any computer, tablet or smartphone. You can personalise your azzapt settings so that your documents are available in the format you prefer. This can be different on each type of device that you use. The Cloud is the emerging technology that is set to transform computer use for all, but most excitingly for those with disabilities. The term cloud computing is the buzz term capturing the attention of software developers in all fields. Many already use a form of the Cloud when we access our email from a service like Google or Yahoo, or store files to Dropbox or Amazon’s Cloud. These services only require us to create an account and log on to begin our Cloud need – our email is on the cloud, our files are on the cloud—nothing is saved to our personal computer. With the Cloud comes mobility, and the familiarity that a user feels on their home computer will soon be available on any device. Cloud computing is essentially another term for the Internet. The term “cloud” does not literally reference an object up in the air somewhere; instead the Cloud is actually a network of computer servers that hold data and applications for use by individuals or businesses. The Cloud makes it unnecessary to house applications on a hard drive. Individuals can use a browser to access applications of a user’s choice. The Cloud of network computers may house an entire platform, an array of applications, or a selection of infrastructure needs to serve a variety of clients. What this means for a user is the ability to create and access personal profiles and assistive technology tools anywhere, anytime. Users are no longer tied to their personal computers, and that means freedom for those with disabilities that rely on specific accessibility tools to help them navigate the web and create documents. Any computer can be used to log on to a Cloud service to access stored documents or browse the web utilizing the information that a user has stored in their profile. Emerging Technologies
Unpacking the JISC TechDis Toolbox
The TechDis Toolbox is a collection of resources which give useful hints and tips on technologies that can help individuals work smarter. It is aimed directly at the end users – learners and based on questions that Techdis asked former students (learner ambassadors) who were asked “ In retrospect what should your tutor have told you but never did? ” This short webinar will hopefully provide you with the chance to learn more about the Techdis Toolbox and and consider how the resources found in this toolbox would be of interest to your learners and indeed for staff in your institution. Designed primarily for people with disabilities or difficulties however I believe that this is something that could benefit everyone. bite-size videos, short guides, animations and brief audio files. These small bits of just-in-time information can be easily understood and absorbed allowing users to learn something new and put it into practice straight away. Most people use technology everyday. Using it smarter can help people be more productive, organised and creative.
