Is there computer software that reads text aloud for someone with a learning disability?
I am frequently asked this question by educators, parents, vocational rehabilitation counselors, and people struggling to read printed text. This particular kind of software application is not to be confused with computer programs designed for people with visual impairments. The text-to-speech programs discussed in this column are designed specifically for people with a learning disability, or for people who struggle to read text. This particular software highlights, and simultaneously reads aloud each word. You can adjust the rate of speed for reading text aloud, and you can select from a choice of voices for reading aloud text. The benefit is you “see” and “hear” each word being read aloud. This is unlike the text readers that read aloud a block of text, and you have no idea what word is being spoken. The software has the capability to scan a printed page and then convert the page into electronic text. There is a feature that displays the scanned text on the computer screen in an “ex
