Skip top navbar

EASI: Equal Access to Software and Information homepage

 

Free EASI Webinar: Free and Low-Cost Reading Tools for the Common Man

Presenter: Susan Kelmer, Alternate Format Production Program Manager at the University of Colorado Boulder

View the slides used in this webinar

Watch the archive of this webinar


Additional Resources:

Mac Speech:

This is part of the operating system, and it reads text-based files, accessible PDF, Word, web pages, etc. You can adjust settings to your preferences, speed, type of voice, what it reads, etc.

Balabolka:

this is a free Text-to-Speech Reader for the Pc available from:

(http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm)

It reads any text-based file, accessible PDF, Word or Text, HTML, etc. You can adjust speed, voice, pitch and you can produce MP3 files to be used on a CD.

It has a portable version you can put on a flash drive to take with you:

( http://download.cnet.com/Balabolka-Portable/3000-2170_4-75182537.html)

Natural Reader (Windows)

There is both a free and paid versions (three levels starting at $69.99)

It can work with text-based files of most types, including PDF and ePub files. It will import an image-based file and run Optical Character Recognition with good results. It has good selection of voices and can download additional voices for a fee.

(http://www.naturalreaders.com)

TextAloud from NextUp (Windows)

the low-cost paid version ($29.99) but has a 21-day free trial

It comes with a good selection of voices; can record audio files for use elsewhere; has a great array of navigational tools to help get through reading faster.

(http://www.nextup.com)

Ghost Reader (Mac)

It reads aloud all types of text-based files: Word, RTF, HTML, PDF amd has more than a dozen voices. It can export to audio files to go on a portable player. There is a free trial available; Full version is $24.99, pro version is $39.99

(www.convenienceware.com/ghostreader)

Claro Apps (iOS, Mac, Windows, Android)

There are a variety of different apps:

ClaroPDF reads PDF, has a free and paid version

ClaroSpeak speaks any accessible text

?Claro Scanpen uses your camera to take a picture of text then read out loud

? Claro MagX is a powerful high definition visual magnifier

the paid Versions start at $6.99

(http://www.claro-apps.com)

VoiceDream Reader (iOS, Android)

This is seamless, easy-to-use reader that has more than 50 voices to choose from; Available for both iOS and Android. It reads any text-based PDF; highlights as it reads

$14.99 price point

? Central Access Reader (CAR) reader – Plug-in for Word

Reads Word files

Reads math coded with MathType

(https://www.cwu.edu/central-access/reader)

BeeLine Reader

? Uses a gradient color on text in news articles and other web-based materials

(http://www.beelinereader.com)

? Zabaware – low-end, easy-to-use TTS reader (older, may not work on newer systems)

(https://www.zabaware.com/reader/)