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Re: [Athen] online text to speech

for

From: Donna Lettow
Date: Aug 7, 2012 12:52PM

ReadSpeaker is not intended for users of assistive technology or to take the place of screen reading software for the blind. We're just beginning to pilot it with an eye toward the print-disability population -- low vision, elderly, dyslexic, cognitive impairments, English learners, anyone who might get an assist by hearing the content rather than reading it, or by hearing it while reading along.

Donna Lettow
Staff Specialist, Electronic Accessibility & Internal Communication
MD Division of Rehabilitation Services
2301 Argonne Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218
www.dors.state.md.us
410-554-9402
888-554-0334
410-554-9411 (TTY)


-----Original Message-----
From: Pratik Patel [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 5:16 PM
To: 'Access Technology Higher Education Network'; 'webaim-forum-list.webaim.org'
Cc: 'itd-jnl-listserv.icors.org'; 'DSSHE-L-LISTSERV.BUFFALO.EDU'
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] [Athen] online text to speech

Hello Marshall,

Disclaimer, I am the owner of a consulting firm which works with many colleges and universities about their web strategies, accessibility design, and usability.

Generally, we do not recommend that you employ services like this for making web sites accessible. It is unlikely to meet the needs of most of your users who rely on assistive technology. Users who do rely on assistive technology will often bring their own assistive technology to experience your web site.
Purchasing this option does not solve a fundamental problem for your site.
That is-your web site needs to be accessible first in order to make this service work well. If it is not, then either this service or the the assistive technology that your visitors will be using will not be able to access your site effectively. Services like these are often marketed as magical solutions that will solve all your problems. But conducting development in the right way will often solve more problems than using services such as this one.

If your web developers would like training, testing services, or other assistance on making your web site more friendly to visitors with disabilities, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Warm regards,

Pratik


Pratik Patel
CEO, EZFire


From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
[mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Marshall Bryant
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 4:57 PM
To: athen-list-u.washington.edu; webaim-forum-list.webaim.org
Cc: itd-jnl-listserv.icors.org; DSSHE-L-LISTSERV.BUFFALO.EDU
Subject: [Athen] online text to speech

Is anyone familiar with the online speech to text service Readspeaker? I happened to run across the DSS website at Ohio State and they are using this to read the content of their web site. I want to make our school's website accessible with the speaking option, but this is the only service I have seen in use so far (and it sounds expensive). I also am curious if there is anything else out there that can do this for a low cost or even free.

Thanks,
Marshall
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