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Free and Low-Cost Reading Tools for the Common Man

Free and Low-Cost Reading Tools for the Common Man. Susan Kelmer, Alternate Format Access Coordinator Disability Services, University of Colorado Boulder. Built-In Reading Tools: Mac/iOS. Voiceover Speech Function (under Speech and Dictation). Built-In Reading Tools - PC.

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Free and Low-Cost Reading Tools for the Common Man

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  1. Free and Low-Cost Reading Tools for the Common Man Susan Kelmer, Alternate Format Access Coordinator Disability Services, University of Colorado Boulder

  2. Built-In Reading Tools: Mac/iOS • Voiceover • Speech Function (under Speech and Dictation)

  3. Built-In Reading Tools - PC • You’ve heard good things about Narrator, but don’t believe them • Good reading tool built into Word, just add it to your quick access toolbar

  4. Okay, So Built-In Is Limited, Now What? (PC Version) • Some Freebie Programs/Apps: • Central Access Reader (CAR) (www.cwu.edu/central-access/reader) • Balabolka (www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm • Natural Reader (www.naturalreaders.com/download.html) • Zabaware (www.zabaware.com/download.asp) • eSpeak (espeak.sourceforge.net/download.html) • Low-Cost Programs/Apps: • TextSpeech Pro - $60 and up (www.textspeechpro.com/download.html) • TextAloud by NextUp - $30 (sites.fastspring.com/nextup/product/textaloud) • Verbose - $30 (www.nch.com.au/verbose/index.html)

  5. Okay, So Built-In Is Limited, Now What? (iOS Version) • Some freebie programs/apps • Natural Reader (www.naturalreader.com) • Aloud! (on iTunes store) • Low-Cost Programs/Apps: • VoiceDream - $15 (www.voicedream.com) • TextAloud - $5 (www.nextup.com) • GhostReader - $25 and up (www.convenienceware.com/ghostreader)

  6. What About Browser Plug-Ins? • Chrome: • SpeakIt! • Announcify! • Select and Speech • Firefox: • Text To Voice • Speechify • FoxVox

  7. Anything Web-Based? • Ivona – www.ivona.com – copy and past text into their window, and play. Comes with many voices. • Audio Book Maker – www.audiobookmaker.com – text to speech reader and provides options for creating audio files for on-the-go uses. Great with larger files. • Acapela-Box - https://acapela-box.com/AcaBox/index.php - create audio files from text you provide. • From Text To Speech - http://www.fromtexttospeech.com/

  8. Want to Read Faster? • Spritzy and Readsy • Spritz (www.spritzinc.com) is an innovative reading process that can help you increase your speed. • Readsy (www.readsy.co) allows you to upload your own text and have it read to you Spritz-style.

  9. Reader Helpers • BeeLine Reader (Chrome, Firefox, iPhone, iPad) www.beelinereader.com • Gradiates color to help lead the eye • Change fonts and colors to what works best for you • Rewordify (www.rewordify.com)

  10. Additional Resources • Augsburg College/Groves Technology Website: List of free apps, programs, extensions, etc. (www.augsburg.edu/class/groves/assistive-technology/) • Tseng College Accessible Document Tutorials – (http://tsengcollege.csun.edu/accessibility)

  11. Thank you! Susan Kelmer, Alternate Format Access Coordinator, Disability Services University of Colorado Boulder Susan.Kelmer@Colorado.edu

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