Assistive Technology: Text-To-Speech

How it works and who it helps

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Your content has a voice

Many people with disabilities rely on different types of assistive software to navigate online. One of the most widely used is the text-to-speech (TTS) tool.

Text-to-speech converts written information into audible content using a computer, smartphone, or smart speaker. This can help people with blindness and visual impairments, neurological conditions like dyslexia or ADHD, those in low-light environments or when visual attention is needed elsewhere.

In schools, TTS provides an alternative way to access necessary information that matches the student’s learning style. In professional settings, TTS can even assist in proofreading and editing by finding mistakes in context or grammar that spellcheck or reading might miss.

How does TTS work?

The technology is specifically designed to convert written content into audio files.

First, the software analyzes the text’s structure and content. This is done to understand the overall tone, as well as grammatical constructs like question marks and exclamation points, which affect intonation and emphasis.

After the initial analysis, the TTS system performs linguistic processing to determine the correct pronunciation of each word. It uses dictionaries and language models to handle complex words, homonyms, and variations in pronunciation based on context.

Next, the content is transformed into audible speech, which is generated with mathematical models to simulate the human voice. The TTS system adjusts the pitch, duration, and intensity to mimic natural speech patterns.

Text-to-speech technology has evolved significantly in recent years, offering more natural-sounding voices and greater customization options. Users can adjust the voice's speed, pitch, and volume to suit their needs and preferences.

A cute young girl squinting into her laptop computer with headphones on. We use this image to represent a child in school using text to speech technology.

What are the limitations of TTS technology?

Even though TTS is beneficial for a wide range of people, it does have some constraints to keep in mind.

Sometimes, TTS software mispronounces words and it may not support all languages and dialects equally. This can limit the experience for non-English speakers or users of less popular and widely spoken languages.

You should also remember that TTS is, after all, a computer program, and it may experience trouble interpreting context and nuances, such as sarcasm, humor, slang, or idiomatic expressions.

What is the difference between Text-To-Speech and Screen Reader technology?

There is a common misconception that TTS and screen readers are the same technology and function the same way.

TTS software focuses on understanding and reading written text aloud. Screen readers allow users to navigate and operate computers and web pages with different commands and combinations of commands.

Screen readers use TTS software to read the content of the page aloud to the user, but screen readers also provide navigational information on web pages, like announcing labels, form fields, and alt tags.

Both technologies play essential roles in making digital content and interfaces accessible, offering different levels of support based on user needs and preferences.

A person's hands are shown operating a black and white device with numerous orange and white buttons on a wooden desk. The device appears to be a specialized input or control unit, possibly an assistive technology device. In the background, a portion of a keyboard and another person's arm are visible, out of focus.

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