What is BrowseAloud?
BrowseAloud reads web pages, including PDF and MS Word documents, aloud for people who find it difficult to read online. Reading large amounts of text on screen can be difficult for those with literacy and visual impairments.
7 million people in the UK have literacy problems, many of whom have downloaded BrowseAloud already.
How can BrowseAloud help?
BrowseAloud makes using the Internet easier for people who have:
- Low literacy and reading skills
- English as a second language
- Dyslexia
- Mild Visual Impairment
How much does BrowseAloud cost?
BrowseAloud is FREE to download for all users.
How does BrowseAloud work?
Simply download a free, small browser plug-in (a "plug-in" is simply a software program which enhances or works with another piece of software). Once the plug-in has been installed, content on this site can be spoken aloud.
Can I customise BrowseAloud?
Yes. Once plugged in, look for the BrowseAloud icon which will usually be displayed at the bottom right hand corner of your screen (beside the system clock). Right-click on the icon and choose 'Open BrowseAloud settings' from the menu. The Speech tab on the Settings window enables you to choose a male or female voice, and change the speed, pitch and volume of the reader. To read the entire page from where your cursor points, tick the 'Continue reading from pointer' box. Leaving the box unticked simply lets BrowseAloud read the individual sentences you point to.
For further information go to the BrowseAloud webpage Frequently Asked Questions.