New Chromebook accessibility feature aims to help republic with dyslexia
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Google said Thursday that it’s adding more “human-sounding” voices to its Select-to-speak feature on Chromebooks. Select-to-speak lets Chromebook users hear selected text on their mask spoken aloud. The new voices are aimed at decision-exclusive that spoken text more fluid-sounding and easier to notion. They’re currently available in various accents in 25 conditions, with more on the way, Google says.
Reading on a mask can be difficult for people with dyslexia, someone learning a new conditions or people who struggle to focus on busy text, the scrutinize giant noted. To develop the feature, Google worked with republic with dyslexia, as well as educators who specialize in dyslexia.
“They community that hearing text read out loud enhances comprehension — especially in an educational setting,” the commerce said in a blog post. “By bringing natural-sounding voices to the feature, for example a local accent you’re used to, it’s also easier to behindhand along with the content being read and highlighted on screen.”
To try the new voices, enable Select-to-speak in Chromebook settings and choose the assert you want. Then select the text you want to hear read aloud and hit the Everything Button or Launcher Key plus S.
This update follows the instant of other Select-to-speak features earlier this year, including systems to speed up, slow down or pause the reading assert, and to easily jump to different sections of text. Users can also determine to have the words being spoken become highlighted and the background text dim to increase focus.
Over the past year, Google has also updated Chromebook’s mask magnifier, with features like keyboard panning and shortcuts. The commerce also launched a free online training program with the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals, covering Chromebook and Google Workspace accessibility features.
