BrowseAloud is an assistive technology created by Texthelp that provides text-to-speech and other accessibility tools to help remove barriers to digital inclusion. It allows websites to be made accessible for those who are print disabled, have low literacy, or are non-native speakers by translating text to audio. BrowseAloud uses a social model where the technology is free for users and website owners pay a subscription to support development and maintenance of the software. It provides features such as text highlighting, magnification, simplification and translation to make online content accessible for individuals with disabilities or other access barriers.

1. BrowseAloud: Removing Barriers to Digital Inclusion
David Robinson
06 November 2014

2. Agenda
• About Texthelp
• Digital Inclusion Challenge
• Overcoming the Barriers for the Print Disabled
• Assistive Technology Ownership
• Social Model for Assistive Technology Provision
• BrowseAloud Assistive Technology

3. Example Text
About Texthelp Ltd
● World Leaders in Assistive Technology Solutions – 18 Years
● NI Head Office , Boston Office, Global Reseller Network
● Partnerships:
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
Apple Business Partner
Adobe Solutions Network Developer
● Awards/Certifications:
ISO 9001:2008
Ranked in Top 50 as one of the fastest growing technology companies in UK/Ireland
15 consecutive years (Deloitte Technology Fast 50)

4. Digital Inclusion – What is it?

5. ● Global initiative that aims to address inequalities in society
● Exists when everyone in society can access technologies and benefit from their use in ways
that are personally meaningful and relevant
● Encompasses a number of inter-related themes…
Example Text
Access Access to technologies e.g. mobile phones, computers,
tablets, the internet, a broadband connection
Use Using, and being able to use, the technologies that you
have access to
Empowerment Having basic digital skills and are self-sufficient
Participation Beyond civic engagement to include e-learning

6. Digital Inclusion Challenge
Barriers to Inclusion:
• No Physical Access
• Economically Disadvantaged
• Print Disabled
Dyslexia
Mild Visual Impairments
Non-native Speakers
Low Literacy
Ageing Population

7. Digital Inclusion Landscape
● European Commission estimates that one in six people in the EU have a disability – or some 80
Example Text
million. ¹
(80 million: the equivalent to the population in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Greece,
Hungary and the Netherlands together)
● At least 50 million people in Europe are dyslexic and many face impaired access to education
and work. ²
● People with reduced mobility represent more than 40% of the EU population. ³
● 30 million people in the EU are blind or partially sighted. ⁴
● On 1st January 2013, the foreign-born population was 33.5 million in the EU-27 ⁵
¹ euobserver.com, 2014, ² European Dyslexia Association, 2014, ³ European Disability Forum, 2014, ⁴ European Blind Union,
2014 , ⁵ Eurostat, 2013

8. Overcoming the Barriers for the Print Disabled
Many forms of assistive technology can help people with disabilities and reading difficulties:
• Screen Readers for people who are blind or seriously visually impaired
• Screen Magnifiers and Text Enlargers to help people with milder visual impairment
• Text Readers for people who have dyslexia, or difficulty reading

9. Assistive Technology Ownership
Microsoft & Forrester Research found:
Example Text
There is a negative correlation with disability and earning power.
● People who need Assistive Technology cannot afford it.
There is a higher proportion of disabled people among lower socio-economic groups.
● People who cannot afford assistive technology are more likely to need it.

10. Social Model for Assistive Technology Provision
• Our Assistive Technology is made available free for users at the point of use on websites
• Website owners pay a subscription to support the development, distribution and support of the free
assistive software
• More than 7,000 websites around the world use BrowseAloud

11. BrowseAloud Assistive Technology
Removing Barriers to Digital Inclusion
Example Text

12. BrowseAloud Toolbar
Hover Highlighting
Text Selection
Translator
MP3 Maker
Text Magnification
Screen Mask
User Settings

13. Example Text
Dual Colour Highlighting

14. BrowseAloud Toolbar
Translator
• Written and Spoken Translation in 35 Languages
• Written Translation in a Further 43 Languages
• Option to Switch On/Off as Desired by Website Owner
MP3 Maker
Website Visitors Can Convert Text to MP3 File
Website Owners Can Create Their Own MP3 Files

15. BrowseAloud Toolbar
Text Magnification
Magnifies Text as it is Read Aloud
Text Displayed Along Top of the Screen
Large, X Large and XX Large Text Sizes
Screen Mask
Blocks Distractions on the Screen
Letterbox Reading Window

16. BrowseAloud Toolbar
Text Simplifier
Removes Clutter from the Screen
Articles can be Summarised
User Preferences
Customise to Suit Individual Needs
Options to Change
Voice, Speed of Voice, Text Size, Contrast

17. BrowseAloud Community

18. Demonstration

19. Why Consider BrowseAloud
● Helps Remove Barriers to Digital Inclusion
● Promotes Social Inclusion & Personal Empowerment
● Provides Support & Information to Vulnerable Groups
● Fully Scalable
● Works on all common Platforms – PC’s, Mac’s, iPhone, iPad, Android Tablets & Phones
● Reduce Costs
Interaction
Cost:
In Person Telephone Post Online
SOCITM £14.00 £5.00 n/a £0.17
PWC £10.53 £3.39 £12.10 £0.08
99%
Savings
* SOCITM Research, PriceWaterhouseCoopers

20. Thank You for Listening
Any Questions?
David Robinson, Texthelp Ltd
Email: d.robinson@browsealoud.com
Web: www.browsealoud.com