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Recite Me Text to Speech vs Screen Reader

What is the difference between our Text to Speech feature and a Screen Reader?

This document aims to provide you with an overview of the benefits both bring, along with some examples of who they are designed to support.

Our text to speech feature is not designed to replace screen readers used by blind users.

Blind users usually rely on specialist assistive technology such as screen readers, which are designed to work with the whole device and provide full navigation support.  These tools are more advanced and give much more control.

Our text to speech feature is a lightweight support tool.  It reads selected content out loud, but it does not provide full device navigation or advanced accessibility controls.

It is meant to support people who benefit from listening to content, not to replace specialist accessibility technology.

Below is a brief overview of what each does and who it aims to support. 

Image Text to Speech Icon  

RECITE ME - TEXT TO SPEECH

Text to speech converts on screen text into spoken audio, allowing users to personalise reading preference, reading speed and voice so they can find what works best for them. 

Can be useful for: 

People with visual, reading or attention difficulties, or those who prefer listening to content. 

Use cases: 

  • Listen to long content hands free 
  • Can help improve comprehension or focus 
  • Hear text without interacting with the UI 

 

Text-to-speech can support:

  • People with dyslexia who find it easier to understand information when listening.

  • People with low literacy who prefer to hear content read aloud.

  • People with cognitive impairments who benefit from audio reinforcement.

  • Neurodivergent users who process spoken information more easily.

  • Users with temporary conditions, such as migraines or eye strain.

  • People multitasking, for example while commuting.

  • Older users who may find reading long passages tiring.

  • People learning English who benefit from hearing pronunciation.

  

Image - Speaker

SCREEN READERS SUCH AS NVDA, JAWS, VOICEOVER

These are a full accessibility tool not just a voice.  

They will read everything on the screen including, text, buttons, 

menus, links & errors. 

It will allow the user to navigate the interface via keyboard announcing structure from:

Headings, Lists, Tables, Form Fields, Links and Buttons 

Please note: To support our Screen Reader users Recite Me includes screen reader testing in our development process.

 

Screen Readers can support: 

  • Blind people who rely on audio to navigate websites, apps and devices.

  • People with severe sight loss who cannot read text on a screen, even when it is enlarged.

  • People with certain physical disabilities who cannot use a mouse and navigate using a keyboard with audio feedback.

  • People with temporary vision loss, for example after eye surgery.

  

 

Feature What It Does Key Functions Who It Supports Example Benefits
Recite Me – Text to Speech Converts on-screen text into spoken audio.

Adjustable reading speed

Choice of voice

Hands-free listening

No need to interact with UI

People with dyslexia

Users with low literacy

People with cognitive impairments 

Neurodivergent users

Users with migraines or eye strain 

Multitaskers (e.g. commuting) 

Older users 

People learning English

Improves comprehension

Supports focus 

Reinforces understanding through audio 

Helps with pronunciation
Screen Readers (e.g. NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver) Full accessibility tools that read everything on the screen.

Reads text, buttons, menus, links, errors 

Keyboard navigation 

Announces structure (headings, lists, tables, forms, links, buttons) 

Audio feedback for interaction

Blind users 

People with severe sight loss 

Users with physical disabilities who cannot use a mouse

People with temporary vision loss (e.g. after eye surgery)

Enables independent navigation 

Provides full interface awareness 

Supports non-visual browsing

Please note:  Recite Me Text to Speech is not designed to replace Screen Readers.