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RE: Speech enabling software

for

From: Mark Magennis
Date: Dec 16, 2005 3:40AM


> Just so I understand, who is the main target for these types of
> technologies?

Browsealoud is potentially useful for anyone who has difficulty reading
English text. Does it work with other languages? I don't know. This
includes people with dyslexia, people with low literacy and people whose
first language is not English.

It is not aimed at helping people with vision impairments, although in
the early days when they were using dodgy sales techniques, they did
claim it was useful for blind users. But blind users don't need it
because they will already be using a screen reader or other
text-to-speech software. Users with low vision may find it helpful, but
if all the text on the site can be resized using the built-in browser
controls then it isn't necessary. However, if reading gets tiring then
you might find it helpful to have the option of having text spoken to
you instead or as well.

Mark

Dr. Mark Magennis
Director of the Centre for Inclusive Technology (CFIT)
National Council for the Blind of Ireland
Whitworth Road, Dublin 9, Republic of Ireland
www.cfit.ie

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