Readplease

I’ve looked at ReadPlease and it works quite well. I chose to use a different program which is quite similar call TextAloud MP3. I used TextAloud MP3 on a daily basis myself. With either of these programs you can use the AT&T Natural Voices which are real human text-to-speech engines. I give some recommendations about this software at my web site. I do not provide this software. I only providing recommendations about this software.
www.geocities.com/jnuttallphd

ReadPlease also has now a text-to-speech plug-in for Internet Explorer it works really great! Again, TextAloud MP3 will have a similar plug-in by the end of March. The TextAloud MP3 programmers have been very open to enhancing their program for the LD community. By the end of March, I anticipate their new TextAloud MP3 2.0 will be one of the best products on the market for text-to-speech.

ReadPlease and TextAloud MP3 are not scanning/reading programs. You can scan using other programs. I highly recommend FineReader Pro, which is the best OCR program on the market. I also use this on a daily basis. It is the OCR engine incorporated in Kurzweil 3000 and Open Book. By combining FineReader Pro and ReadPlease or TextAloud MP3 you can build a system for $200 per scanning/reading. The much more expensive systems are easier to use, but you have to see what you can afford. Again, I use such a system for myself and for my LD daughter, who loves using TextAloud for school work.

This is the advantages of either program:
1) an entire article can be read to a student while they look at the words.
2) a student can select a word, phrase or sentence to be read to them while they look at the words. Importantly, this provides better control over the reading experience, which helps to increase comprehension.
3) the TextAloud MP3 you can create audio books which you can place on CDs or play on MP3 player. This allows for listening to a book/assignment while following along in the book.
4) anything that is on a computer can be read to the student.

In what ways reconsidering using are adopting these programs? If I have more information I may be able to provide you with additional tips.

Jim — Michigan

Let me tell you of an exciting software firm called Premier Software at the following web site:
www.readingmadeeasy.com

They are working on a program that has the total functionality of Kurzweil 3000 or WYNN but only costs $150 for parents to buy!!! This software should be available within the next month. Their current software Scan and Read Pro will scan and read but without the graphics being saved. In the next month they will have our version which they call see what you scan which will save the graphics.

Text-to-audio will turn text to reading aloud which you can automatically burn to a CD ($29)!!!

This is an exceptional opportunity for both parents and schools to acquire adaptive assistive software at a reasonable price!!

Jim — Michigan
I do not sell this software. I am simply interested in the best! I plan to demonstrate this software to as many parents and schools as I can.