[WebAIM] [Athen] online text to speech

[E.A. Draffan]

I don't normally advertise a browser based toolbar and this one is
definitely not a replacement for screen reading or full magnification needed
to access all technologies.   But if you want to offer people a free open
source toolbar with TTS that you can build to suit your needs, add to your
website or offer as a bookmark there is ATbar (www.atbar.org)  We can help
you add your own logo and more languages if required - see the marketplace
and API menu links. 

This is a 'work in progress' project - so any ideas for improvements and new
plugins would be welcomed.  

Best wishes E.A. 

Mrs E.A. Draffan
ECS, University of Southampton,
Tel +44 (0)23 8059 7246
Mobile +44 (0)7976 289103
http://access.ecs.soton.ac.uk
http://www.emptech.info

-----Original Message-----
From: webaim-forum-bounces at list.webaim.org
[mailto:webaim-forum-bounces at list.webaim.org] On Behalf Of Ryan Hemphill
Sent: 06 August 2012 22:46
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Cc: itd-jnl-listserv.icors.org; Access Technology Higher Education Network;
DSSHE-L-LISTSERV.BUFFALO.EDU
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] [Athen] online text to speech

We use ReadSpeaker on our platform but we don't consider it to be a 'screen
reader' because it cannot handle interactive sites.  The only people that
benefit from the ReadSpeaker tech are usually sighted users.  It certainly
doesn't qualify as a comprehensive solution.

Ryan

On Mon, Aug 6, 2012 at 5:15 PM, Pratik Patel <pratikp1 at gmail.com> wrote:


> 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: athen-list-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu

> [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] 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

> Please Note:

> Due to Florida's very broad public records law, most written 

> communications to or from College employees regarding College business 

> are public records, available to the public and media upon request. 

> Therefore, this e-mail communication may be subject to public 

> disclosure.

> _______________________________________________

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>




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