Text-to-speech

I have never tried any text-to-speech tool before. I tried Natural Reader, for this session to proofread an assignment, and I really like it. When I listen to what I write I recognize where are my mistakes. When I hear a sentence, I recognize if there is something wrong with it. I also liked that I can change the voice and the speed according to my preference.

I believe such tools are very important with people who have some disabilities, such as who has a physical disability and cannot move the mouse. In fact, recently I met a blind girl, she just came to the U.S. I’m sure she knows such programs, but I’ll tell her about the ones I found, she might need them one day!

References

Natural Reader. Retrieved from http://www.naturalreaders.com/index.php

The benefits of text-to-speech technology. (n.d) Retrieved from  http://www.em-t.com/The-Benefits-of-Text-to-Speech-Technology-s/210.htm

Daisy. (2010). Benefits of text-to-speech-technology and audio-visual presentation. Retrieved from http://www.daisy.org/benefits-text-speech-technology-and-audio-visual-presentation

Burgess, Betsy. (2012) Who needs text-to-speech and why? (blog). Retrieved from http://blog.bookshare.org/2012/02/23/who-needs-text-to-speech-and-why/

Low Tech Writing Kit

These items can assist students who have difficulty with writing.

These items can be found in STAPLES at St. Johns Town Center (10261 River Marsh Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32246) 

1- Wide pen easy to hold for $1.00

2- Pens with wide soft grips easy to hold for $6.99

3- Pencils grips help in the hand stability for $2.49

4- Lined notebook helps to keep the writing neat and straight for $1.00

 5- White boards in different sizes for easy writing and erasing to practice writing for $3.80 to $40.00

6- Markers and eraser to practice writing easily for $10.29

7- Black dual-sides dry-erase board with colorful crayons for $11.00

8- Lined post-it for neat note taking for $3.39

9-Different stencil kits help in writing letters and numbers probably for 4.49 to 8.99

 10- Dry-erase white board with 10 intractable templets and more templets can be downloaded to improve students' writing for $14.99

11- Colored pent to organize the note taking for $4.29