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.

Using the ReadPlease feature within the TBRHSC web site:

1. Please Download ReadPlease 2003 and install it on your computer.
    
2. Open ReadPlease and have it running in the background.
    
3. Click on the ReadPlease graphic embedded within the desired web page.
    
4. 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.

Background Information on ReadPlease

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.