“Speak Selection” Function on the iPad
Many thanks to my fantastic readers for the outpouring of support about my dyslexia posts!
Over the last few days, I’ve received some emails with technology questions so I wanted to take the chance to answer them here on my blog.
Today, I want to share a short tutorial about how to make the iPad or the iPhone “speak”. This function is called “Speak Selection” and is a great text reader function for anyone who has dyslexia.
“Speak Selection” can be easily accessed by clicking on the “Settings” App icon.
The “Settings” App Icon on the iPad Screen
For me, as someone who does have dyslexia, being able to have a good text reader is essential. I use a text reader tool on my laptop (I’ll talk about that another day), the iPad and the iPhone.
It really is as easy as 1, 2, 3.
Turn on Speak Selection for the iPad
First, tap on the Accessibility bar.
Tap on the “Accessibility” Bar within “Settings” on the iPad
Second, tap on the “Speak Selection” bar.
Tap on the “Speech Selection” Bar on the iPad Screen
Third, after tapping on the “Speak Selection” bar, tap on the “OFF” icon to turn Speak Selection “ON”. Next, adjust the “Speaking Rate” at which you want the voice to speak – slow is to the left (the turtle icon) and fast is to the right (the hare icon).
I like to have my iPad read a bit on the faster side. I can’t really say why, except for the fact that my brain seems to be able to process it easily. Maybe it’s just had lots of practice processing the spoken word from listening to so many wonderful books all these years. Thanks Learning Ally!
Tap on the “OFF” icon to turn Speak Selection “ON”. Next, adjust the “Speaking Rate” on the iPad screen.
And now you’re done. You’re iPad should be able to speak to you anytime you want. 😉
When you want to have your iPad speak to you, just highlight the text you want to read and when the screen instruction appears to “copy” or “speak” just tap on “speak”. That’s it!
Just highlight the text you want to read and then tap on “Speak”.
Turn on Speak Selection for the iPhone
When it comes to activating the “Speak Selection” function on the iPhone, it’s as equally easy as it is on the iPad. Again, it’s just 1, 2, 3.
First, tap on the “Settings” icon app on the iPhone screen and then tap on the “Accessibility” bar within the Settings app.
Tap on the “Accessibility” bar on the iPhone screen within the “Settings” App.
Second, tap on the “Speak Selection” bar.
Tap on the “Speak Selection” Bar on the iPhone screen.
Third, after tapping on the “Speak Selection” bar, tap on the “OFF” icon to turn Speak Selection “ON”. Next, adjust the “Speaking Rate” at which you want the voice to speak. As with the iPad, it’s the same on the iPhone – slow is to the left (the turtle icon) and fast is to the right (the hare icon).
Tap on OFF Button to turn “Speak Selection” ON, then adjust the reading speed.
Highlight the text you want to read on the iPhone, then tap on “Speak”.
And 0nce again, now you’re done. You’re iPhone will speak to you anytime you want. 😉 All you have to do is highlight the text you want to read and when the screen instruction appears to “copy” or “speak” just tap on “speak”. You’re all set!
Be sure to visit the Dyslexia page of my blog to read my other posts including:
- What is Dyslexia?…And What Does It Mean To Me?
- Vote for my SXSWedu session idea: What Invasive Species Taught Me About Dyslexia
- How to Make Paper Journals Dyslexic Friendly
Your friend,
Ben
Commander Ben 