Title:
Exploring the use of synthetic speech by blind and partially sighted people.
Author:
Heather Cryer, Sarah Home.
Publisher:
RNIB Centre for Accessible Information.
Year of publication:
2008.
Background
This review considers potential uses of synthetic speech by blind and partially sighted people.
Key findings
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Blind and partially sighted people use synthetic speech in many devices including mobility aids, educational tools, entertainment and screen readers
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Benefits of synthetic speech include speed of access, confidentiality and independent access to information.
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Users' subjective evaluations of synthetic speech are likely to vary based on their experience, the context of use, and the characteristics of the voice.
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It is important to consider how synthetic speech affects reading performance - research suggests it may be less intelligible than natural speech. Again, experience with synthetic speech also affects performance.
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