The following list offers many options for computer access via voice output including:
For more options including talking word processing, talking web browsers etc, see the Curriculum Access: Curriculum Support Materials page.
Some of the many Accessibility Options on your computer offer personalised colour combinations, enhanced contrast, basic enlargement and voice output for free - for example:
See Computer Access for Students with Vision Impairments, Improved Access for the Internet and Improved Access for Windows for further information.
See also the sections on Curriculum Access or Keyboarding and Computer Skills.
Free “demo” copies of many of these products are available from their websites, links to which are provided on the Suppliers page.
A detailed checklist, which may assist in the selection of suitable access technology solutions, is available - see Checklist for Access Technology.
| Name and Supplier |
Price |
Input |
Output/Display |
Comments |
| AllWrite Zygo |
A$140 | As per computer | Voice Large print |
PC: Talking word processor |
| BrailleNote mPower (Notetaker
with Refreshable Braille Display) |
18 cell: A$6,350 |
Braille or QWERTY keyboard | Voice Refreshable braille display Can send to printer or embosser |
Stand alone notetaker or as braille display for PC Includes Windows CE Word processor, directory, alarm, diary, clock, calendar, file manager, spell checker, inbuilt modem, calculator, email Download free training tutorials from ATTO |
| BrailleNote PK |
A$7,050 |
Braille or QWERTY | Voice 18 cell refreshable braille display |
Personal data assistant Word processor, directory, alarm, diary, clock, calendar, file manager, spell checker, inbuilt modem, calculator, email Bluetooth technology Long battery life Can send to printer or embosser |
| CATS Software Micro Marvellous |
A$770 software only |
As per computer | Standard computer screen Cursor always in view 12 contrasting colours, 2 fonts, 6 sizes |
PC: talking system Easy to use Spoken help, taped lessons No key combinations required - suitable for some physical and learning disabilities Includes typing tutor, spelling tutor, word processing, email, database, phone dialer and diary |
| Connect Outloud Optek Systems VisTech |
A$520 | As per computer | Voice Braille if connected to embosser |
PC: simple word processing Access to the internet |
| CoolSpeech ByteCool |
Free trial download $US29.95 |
Text | Synthetic speech Can save as wave or MP3 files |
PC: listen to text from internet and text files Sound output in Word etc whilst typing |
| Co:Writer SOLO Spectronics View: Co:Writer |
A$535 Multi-user licences available |
As per computer | Text & voice Occupies part of the screen |
PC or Apple: word prediction software Predicts the word user is typing, displays a list of possible choices User selects one, which is then inserted into the text Reads text Download free training tutorials from ATTO |
| Display Reader Micro Marvellous |
From A$1,750 | Scanner for reading | Voice LCD display |
Non-contact display reader Recently produced for one customer Will design to meet your needs |
| Dragon Naturally Speaking 7 Edsoft |
Standard $169.95 |
Voice | Text to speech Audio playback Will work with JAWS and other screen readers |
PC - voice recognition software Allows the user to dictate continuously in all Windows based applications Up to 160 wpm 98% accuracy Mouse control, format and edit by voice Will work with JAWS and other screen readers |
| Home Page Reader Spectronics |
A$469 | As per computer | Voice output for websites Can change font size, type, colour, background Voice synchronised with moving cursor |
PC: Voice access to the internet Can speak text, frames, images and text links, text in columns or tables |
| IntelliTools Spectronics View: Intellitalk |
A$499 Multi-user packs and bundled option available |
As per computer | Text and voice 14 font colours Many background colours |
PC or Apple Speaks menus, words, letters, sentences Various sizes of cursor Pronunciation editor Will read from other text files Records student progress Download free training tutorials from ATTO |
| JAWS for Windows Optek Systems Quantum Technology VisTech View: JAWS |
Standard (Win9X, Me, XP Home) A$1,321 |
As per computer | Voice | PC: voice software |
| KeyRead RJ Cooper |
US$199 |
As per computer | Voice | PC or Apple: junior screenreader Works in all software - word processing and web browser Echoes each keystroke, selective reading of screen, selective reading of menus |
| KeyVoice KeyVoice |
Free | As per computer | Voices keystrokes | Not a screen reader - just voices the keystrokes |
| Language Master 6000 Equipment Solutions HumanWare Quantum Technology View: Language Master |
A$573-$627 | Small keys with black on white letters | Voice - letters and words LED display |
Hand held electronic organiser, mini QWERTY dictionary, thesaurus, grammar guide, spellcheck, spelling games such as Hangman |
| Maestro HumanWare VisTech |
A$1,850 Fold up QWERTY keyboard A$225 Fold up braille keyboard A$575 Trekker GPS A$1,050 |
Tactual controls |
Text to speech voice output | Hand-held accessible pocket PC (PDA) with text to speech voice output Will synchronise to PC MS Office |
| MAGic 8.0 Optek Systems Quantum Technology VisTech View: MAGic |
No speech A$494-$558 |
As per computer | Up to 16x magnification Horizontal and vertical split screens A lens that tracks mouse pointer Optional voice (+$) |
PC - screen enlargement Controlled by the keyboard, or via its own on-screen control panel |
| Mountbatten Braillers Quantum Technology VisTech View: Mountbatten View: Mimic |
Writer A$3,055 |
Braille keyboard on Mountbatten Plug into QWERTY keyboard Attach to computer |
Hard copy braille Voice - Writer says letters and messages eg low battery Pro has full speech access Can plug in LED display (Mimic A$455) |
Stand alone braille embosser/notetaker |
NVDA |
Freeware | As per computer | Synthetic voice | PC - voice output |
| PAC Mate (Braille or QWERTY keyboard) Quantum Technology VisTech View: PAC Mate |
No braille display A$4,047 |
Braille or QWERTY | Voice Detachable (USB) 20 or 40 cell refreshable braille display which will also attach to PC desktop or laptop also available |
Pocket PC using Windows CE operating system with JAWS speech Web and internet access - modem (+$) GPS available (+$) Long battery life |
| Reader Zygo |
A$140 | As per computer | Voice Large print Word highlighting |
PC: Speech software Reads text copied to the Windows clipboard |
| Reader's Pal Reader's Pal |
Free | As per computer | Voice and screen magnification Can select foreground and background colours |
Text to speech reading |
| ReadPlease ReadPlease View: ReadPlease |
Free or trial version Full version download US$49.95 or CD US$59.95 |
As per computer | Voice | PC: speech software - reads from documents, email, internet
- any text that can be copied from original 4 voices Can adjust text size and colour VCR style controls |
| Talking Interface Micro Marvellous |
From A$750 | Display on equipment being modified | Digitised human voice, male or female, choice of languages | Speech adapter for most pieces of equipment with an LCD or LED display,
or timing switch input eg cash register Rechargeable NiMH battery |
| TextAloud MP3 NextUp View: TextAloud |
Free trial download US$29.95 Extra voices and other features +$ |
Text on computer | Voice via computer or MP3 player | PC: converts text to sound file - listen immediately or
save Listen to email, online news, documents as audio files on computer or via MP3 player |
| textHELP! Read & Write Spectronics |
PC A$380-$790 | As per computer | Fully voiced word processor Large display |
PC or Mac: screen reading, speaking thesaurus, spell check (US or UK), contextual word prediction, abbreviation expansion |
| TextSound ByteCool |
Free trial download $US29.95 |
Text files | Save as wave or MP3 files | PC: listen to text files via computer, stereo system, MP3 player etc Import sound files into other programs |
| Trekker HumanWare VisTech |
A$2,240 Fold up QWERTY keyboard A$225 Fold up braille keyboard A$575 Trekker GPS A$1,050 |
Tactual controls |
Text to speech voice output | Hand-held accessible GPS for location, route planning and mobility |
| Universal Reader With Talking
Pointer VisTech View: Universal Reader Plus |
A$95 | As per computer | Speech output - adjustable speed, pitch and volume Male and female voice Adjustable fonts, sizes and colours |
PC: voice output software Reads from documents, internet, email, pdf files etc - any text that can be copied from original Reads tables Includes scanning software |
| Victor Reader HumanWare VisTech |
Reader A$555 Stream A$440 Wave A$395 Software A$155 |
Sound files eg MP3, DAISY | Voice / DAISY Digital voice |
Stand-alone device or PC software which reads digital talking books
- DAISY and sound files (eg MP3) Can locate page of chapter, add bookmarks, find words etc |
| VoiceNote (Notetaker with voice output) HumanWare VisTech |
A$3,450 |
Braille or QWERTY keyboard | Voice Can send to printer or embosser |
Stand alone notetaker Word processor, directory, alarm, diary, clock, calendar, file manager, spell checker, inbuilt modem, calculator, email |
A$1,100 |
As per computer | Voice | PC: screen reading software Can handle tables and the internet |
|
| Write:OutLoud SOLO Spectronics |
A$165 |
As per computer | Voice: speaks letters, words, sentence or file Full voice options Colour display |
PC or Apple: word processing Spell checker, dictionary, import graphics Improved voices Simple to use |
| WYNN (What You Need Now) Quantum Technology |
A$939 |
As per computer and scanner |
Voice | Has all the features of WYNN Reader and can scan print and convert to electronic text (OCR) |
| ZoomText Magnifier / Screen
Reader |
A$819-$865 |
As per computer | Enlargement 2x-16x Voice |
PC - screen enlargement and voice As ZoomText Magnifier with voice output Key commands to negotiate screen Enlargement options, reads screen Download free training tutorials from ATTO or CAT |