I have used the product TextAloud to take text files which have been scanned
in and convert them to MP3 files. TextAloud supports AT&T Natural Voices
which to my ear sounds pretty good. TextAloud is about $24.95 and with the
Voices it's about $50.00.
Ann Pearce
Community Assistive Technology Center
Manhattan Public Library
Manhattan, KS 66502
-----Original Message-----
From: * EASI: Equal Access to Software & Information
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Denis Anson
Sent: Monday, November 11, 2002 1:47 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: need textbook to tape reader
One way to convert print to speech is offered by OmniPage. My
version 11 software has a voice output option, that will read the
recognized text aloud, using any of the Microsoft voices that are
installed on your computer.
I found this software in our local Staples for $74, which might
have been an error in pricing, because the full version normally costs
lots more than that, but it does work well. Then, you just record the
audio stream out of the scanning software, and your student doesn't have
to read the book. Of course, you do have to live with the mechanical
reading of the available voices, which aren't what I'd want to listen to
for hours on end. Most text books are dull enough already...
Denis Anson, MS, OTR
Computer Access Specialist
College Misericordia
301 Lake St.
Dallas, PA 18612
email: [log in to unmask]
Phone: 570-674-6413
> -----Original Message-----
> From: * EASI: Equal Access to Software & Information
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Nissen
> Sent: Saturday, November 09, 2002 5:18 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: need textbook to tape reader
>
> Hello Penny,
>
> Paul makes some interested comments on time spent scanning
versus
> time spent reading aloud and recording onto a tape recorder.
> He also advocates a screen reader which is very expensive -
more
> expensive than the scanner with OCR that you will need.
>
> What you could consider is a text reader as an inexpensive
> alternative
> to the screen reader. My company, Cloudworld, has developed
such a
> text reader. It is called WordAloud, and combines large text
display
> with synthesised speech. It should be suitable for your
student.
>
> You can download a free evaluation version of WordAloud from
> our web site: http://www.cloudworld.co.uk
> The license for a personal copy of WordAloud is $44.95.
>
> Cheers from Chiswick,
>
> John
> --
> In message <[log in to unmask]>
> Penny Gray via [log in to unmask] writes:
> >
> >Paul and everyone else who has responded,
> >
> >This student does not have a screenreader at home. He is low
> vision and I
> >would certainly recommend that he use some adaptive software
like
> ZoomText
> >extra level 2. He requested the book on tape so that's what
we
> were trying
> >to provide. I have requested the book in alternative format
from
> the
> >publisher but have yet to hear back. As far as scanning and
> editing this,
> >or any book, we don't have the Resources. We do not have a
good
> scanner,
> >currently running Kurzweil 3000 version 4, and 1 student
worker.
> This is a
> >700 page book along with a lab book. This is why I was
looking for
> reader
> >resources, which I haven't found.
> >
> >Penny
> >Adaptive Technology Specialist *
> >Disability Services *
> >Bucks Co. Community College *
> >Newtown, PA 18940 *
> >[log in to unmask] *
> >215-968-8104 *
> >http://www.bucks.edu/services/disability/
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: * EASI: Equal Access to Software & Information
> >[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Paul Chapin
> >Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2002 1:21 PM
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Re: need textbook to tape reader
> >
> >
> >Are you sure you want to do that? Our experience indicates
that
> scanning a
> >book in and using OCR to convert it to a file that can be read
> online using
> >a screen reader takes about the same amount of time and, after
set
> up, about
> >the same cost. The result is much more useful if the user has
> access to a
> >system with a screen reader. In addition, we found that
finding
> qualified
> >readers was a major problem since student employees hated the
> reading job,
> >but loved the scanning work.
> >
> >See
>
http://www.amherst.edu/~pdchapin/accessibility/nercomp_paper.html
> for a
> >presentation on work done here on providing course material in
> electronic
> >format.
> >
> >------
> >Paul Chapin
> >Curricular Computing Specialist
> >Amherst College
> >413 542-2144
> >
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Penny Gray [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> >> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 2:40 PM
> >> To: [log in to unmask]
> >> Subject: need textbook to tape reader
> >>
> >>
> >> Can anyone guide me as to where to turn to have a textbook
> (computer
> >> hardware) read to tape? RFB&D does not have the book yet.
> >> It just came
> >> out in June 2002. We often rely on volunteers but I believe
we
> need
> >> this professionally read.
> >>
> >> Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.
> >>
> >> Penny
>
> --
> Access the word, access the world! -- Try our WordAloud
software!!
>
> John Nissen, Cloudworld Ltd., Chiswick, London
> Tel: +44 (0) 845 458 3944 (local rate in the UK)
> Fax: +44 (0) 20 8742 8715
> Web: http://www.cloudworld.co.uk
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