Text to Speech (TTS)

We're happy to announce our eBooks have a read-aloud feature, and is automatically enabled when you open your book in the RedShelf eReader.  

The text-to-speech controls will appear in the top right corner of the screen. Use the "play" icon (a right-pointing triangle arrow inside a circle) to start the text-to-speech feature! A "pause" icon (two vertical bars inside a circle) will replace that image - just activate it again to stop the reader.  

In the Main Menu of the eReader, there is a submenu for Text to Speech. Open that submenu and make sure the volume is turned up there.

For more settings and options with text-to-speech, use the triple circle icon labeled "more text to speech controls" to open settings.

What if the Text-to-Speech Tool is on and underlining the text, but I cannot hear the sound?

Investigate the following if you cannot hear the sound:

• Double-check your volume - is it turned up?
• Make sure your device is not in "Silent Mode".
• Make sure the sound is not playing in a Bluetooth connected device like wireless headphones (or use the headphones to listen, if they are)

What if the Text-to-Speech Tool is Not Available?

When text-to-speech is unavailable in your book, you will not see the option to turn it on.  In this case, we recommend submitting a Solve ticket to our Accessibility Team using the accessibility request form and we will reprocess your book to the text-to-speech feature.

What external Text-to-Speech Tools or Screen Readers work with RedShelf?

Here are some browser extensions you can use:

• Firefox / Read Aloud TTS Voice Reader
• Chrome / Natural Reader Text to Speech (you can also download the Natural Reader app via their website.)​
• Edge / Read&Write for Microsoft Edge
• Kurzweil users can activate the the Kurzweil Read the Web plug-in with our reader in the Chrome browser.  Here's how: Read the Web for Google Chrome
  (Note: Users will need a Kurzweil login from their school to use this plug-in)

Read Aloud tools built into your device:

• Mac/iPad/iPhone users can turn on the built-in read aloud app called Voice Over.
  Here's how: Mac OS Voice Over Info Guide
• Windows users can turn on their built-in read aloud software called Narrator.
  Here's how: Getting Started with Windows Narrator (Works best in Edge Browser)

The following screen reading software is compatible with RedShelf:

• JAWS for Windows
• NVDA for Firefox
   

Additional Support​ for Students Needing Accommodations

If these options do not meet your needs, please fill our our accessibility request form and our Accessibility Director will work with the publisher to release an accessible file to you. Please note that RedShelf needs to coordinate with your school's Disability Services Office in order to provide additional files or resources. If you are currently registered, please let us know who you work with at your school - name and email would be most helpful!