Assistive Technology: Text-To-Speech

Your content has a voice

Text-to-speech (TTS) technology converts written information into audio. It helps people with blindness, visual impairments, dyslexia, and ADHD consume content in a way that works for them. TTS is also widely used in schools and by professionals for proofreading.

How does TTS work?

TTS processes text in three stages: text analysis (determining tone, grammar, and structure), linguistic processing (computing pronunciation and emphasis), and audio synthesis (generating speech from mathematical voice models). The technology continues to evolve, with modern systems offering voice customization options such as speed, pitch, and language selection.

What are the limitations of TTS technology?

TTS is not perfect. It can mispronounce uncommon words, proper nouns, and abbreviations. Support for languages and regional dialects is uneven — many tools handle mainstream languages well but struggle with less common ones. TTS also has difficulty interpreting sarcasm, humor, and idiomatic expressions, which can lead to content being conveyed with the wrong tone or meaning.

What is the difference between Text-To-Speech and Screen Reader technology?

This is where the common misunderstanding arises. Text-to-speech reads text aloud — that is its primary function. A screen reader does much more: it allows users to navigate and operate an entire computer or mobile device. Screen readers announce interface labels, form fields, buttons, and links, and they read alt tags on images so users understand visual content. They give users the ability to interact with every element on a page without a mouse.

QualiBooth tests your website against both TTS and screen reader use cases to ensure your content is accessible to users relying on either technology.