10.02 Settings – Speech

In most cases, screen reader users will have a speech output for general computer access. For specific applications, screen readers have functionality to monitor certain areas on the screen in order to provide speech output.

The TactileView software can also provide information that is helpful for a screen reader user from the status line of the software or info related to all the many tools and objects.

When the TactileView software is extended with the TactileView digital pen and either the TactileView ClickPad or the TactiPad drawing board, additional options for exploring audio-tactile diagrams or creating digital drawings become available.

The operation of these additional options greatly depends on using a screen reader. The speech settings are applied while using these extensions as well.

See also the sections in the category ‘Digital pen, TactiPad and ClickPad’

Language selection and Text-To-Speech (TTS)

Textlabels and messages are displayed in the language that was selected in the ‘Language’ dialog in the Settings menu.

For announcing these texts, a text to speech (TTS) synthesizer has to be selected. Microsoft supplies a few TTS engines with the Windows operating system. Extra TTS synthesisers can be installed from Eloquence, Nuance, L&H or other vendors.

Volume and rate

The volume and rate of spoken messages can be set to find a match with the volume and rate with the speech output of the screen reader. Use the ‘Speak’ button to test the selected voice, rate and volume.

Speak application messages (select checked)

The software can provide messages in addition to a screen reader. These messages contain status information about the drawing tools and properties of the objects. When you use TactileView with a screen reader, the option ‘Use text to speech for application messages and audio style’ should be checked.

Speak audio style or text label upon object selection (Select checked)

When an object gets the focus (is selected) the type of object and some properties are announced. For screen reader usage, ‘Speak audio style or text label upon object selection’ should be checked.

Text to speech for different languages

Some designs may contain texts in different languages, making the text to speech difficult to understand. If possible, it is best to use the TTS that matches the text label language.

For any languages in the list that show ‘not defined’, the default TTS synthesiser will be used. To apply a specific TTS synthesiser for a certain language, select the language from the list, then select the TTS you wish to use in the list below.