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 We
are pleased to announce that the TBRHSC web site is now "ReadPlease
enabled". ReadPlease is an exciting text-to-speech application
utilizing the best technologies in the world to give your
computer a human-sounding voice while reading the text from
a web page. The benefits of such a program are numerous. It
“frees up” the user from reading lengthy text
from a computer screen. In addition, it helps reduce all the
eye and back strain associated with excessive computer use.
Although the program can benefit anyone, ReadPlease has been
acclaimed as an aid for people with disabilities. The fact
that it can “read” to its user allows many to
access information they would not normally receive.
To utilize the "text to speech" feature on the
TBRHSC web site, you must have a version of ReadPlease installed
on your computer. ReadPlease 2003 is available as
a Free download. Click here to Download
ReadPlease 2003.
- Please Download
ReadPlease 2003 and install it on your computer.
- Open ReadPlease and have it running in the background.
- Click on the ReadPlease graphic embedded within the desired
web page.
- Select "Open" and listen to the page information
being read back to you.
Note: The first time a page is loaded, you
will be able to "uncheck" the box in the pop-up
window stating "Always ask before opening this type of
file". This will allow the "text to speech"
procedure to begin immediately on any further viewed pages.
 Mention
the name Rob McCormack in the halls of Thunder
Bay's Confederation College and you’ll get instant recognition.
During his years at the College, he worked in various capacities,
from Instructor to Director of Education Technology. What
many do not know is that Rob McCormack is the man who designed
the widely successful ReadPlease software.
ReadPlease/ReadPlease Plus 2003 is a fully-featured, easy-to-use,
and natural sounding text-to-speech program that can read
anything on your screen. The program uses four natural-sounding
voices: Sam, Marilyn, Mike and Mary, to read the material.
The Plus version is compatible with the AT&T Natural Voices
speech engine allowing for some of the highest quality voices
(8k and 16k) on the market today. These realistic-sounding
voices contradict the notion that text to speech applications
must consist of robotic sounding machines. Even more impressive
is the fact that ReadPlease can function at natural speed,
or as fast or slow as the user prefers.
The overall benefits to the user are of great importance
to Mr. McCormack. In fact, its creation came with a simple
purpose; to benefit his father. After being diagnosed with
macular degeneration, a condition that weakens eyesight, McCormack’s
father was unable to read small print. He has been an avid
reader throughout his life, and the condition threatened this
hobby. From that threat, McCormack saw an immediate need to
create an easy-to-use text-to-voice program to assist people
who are visually impaired. At that point, the idea for ReadPlease
was born. In addition to visual impairments, ReadPlease helps
other users who have dyslexia and speech impairments access
information. ReadPlease allows the user to hear the proper
pronunciation of the word while viewing it on screen.
The usefulness of this software has not gone unnoticed. ReadPlease
was a finalist in the Stockholm Challenge. The Stockholm Challenge
is a world-renowned exhibition that highlights the best innovations
in information technology. In addition, ReadPlease has been
featured in several PC publications around the world. But
perhaps most gratifying to McCormack are the thousands of
e-mails he receives from ReadPlease users testifying to the
wonders of the program.
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