Text-to-Speech and Writing Support Software

• Built into Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and other apps. Every student can use them.
• No need to request or install anything separately.
• Examples:
  
  • Immersive Reader: reads texts, shows a picture dictionary, translates into 100+ languages. Read more (this page and the ones below are in Dutch, but you can translate them into English using these tips).
  • Dictation: turns your speech into text. Read more.
  • Accessibility settings: customise apps to suit your needs, such as live captions or colour filters. Read more.

You can also use CoPilot chat to make summaries or practice questions (see the AI for students e-course).

Important: During exams you may not use these tools, unless this is clearly allowed (see Education and Examination Regulations, art. 64).

• TextAid is specialised text-to-speech software.

• It is useful if you:

  • want to use reading and writing support during exams;
  • need extra features for students with dyslexia, such as dual highlighting or audio word prediction;
  • want to read different file types (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, pdf’s with photos of text, ePub, protected handbooks).

  Below are two screenshots of TextAid.

• Can also be used for exams with reading and writing support software.
• Can read a wide range of file types: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, ePub and pdf (including inaccessible pdfs) as well as protected handbooks.
• Has functions designed for people with dyslexia, such as:
  • Dual highlighting cursor: highlights sentences and words while reading aloud.
  • OCR functionality: converts pdfs with images of text and protected digital textbooks into readable text.
  • Dictionary and word prediction integrated into the text editor, plus spell checker.
  • Reading ruler and highlighters to analyse texts and create summaries.
  • Save as mp3: export summaries as audio.
  • Speech-to-text (though this is available in M365).

• Translation
  Automatic translation into more than 100 languages.
  (TextAid only translates into English, German, French and Spanish.)
• Picture dictionary
• Grammar and syllable tools
  Immersive Reader can highlight word types and show syllable division.
• Integration in Office apps
  M365 tools are built into Word, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams and Office Lens.
  They also provide additional accessibility options, such as eye control, colour filters and live captions.
  If you use TextAid for reading and studying, you do this in a separate app.
• Reading progress and feedback in Teams
  You can read a text aloud and receive feedback on speed, pronunciation and accuracy.

Fill out this form to receive a voucher code and instructions to activate your account.

• Do you already have a Disability Status with the facility to take exams with text-to-speech software?

  • Then your care coordinator has emailed you more info.

• Don't have Disability Status yet?

  • Don’t have a Disability Status yet? Apply for this status through your care coordinator. This may give you the right to extra support during exams. You do not always need a medical diagnosis. Read here which documents are accepted. Please note the deadlines:
    • 15 October if you want to start in the first semester;
    • 25 February if you want to start in the second semester.
  • The care coordinator will verify your eligibility.
  • Once you have the status, you will receive a form through your care coordinator. When you fill that out, you will also receive a voucher code and explanation to activate your account for TextAid.

• Bereid je goed voor
  • Weet hoe het examen verloopt.
    Bekijk de volgende kennisclips over examens met voorlees- en teksthulpsoftware (zie punt 4: Inclusie-tools).

  • Installeer Schoolyear op je laptop.
    In kennisclip 2a zie je hoe dat moet.

    Kennisclips: examen afleggen met voorlees- en teksthulpsoftware

     

• Leer je login en wachtwoord van TextAid uit het hoofd.
  Voor sommige examens heb je die nodig.
   
• Wat neem je mee naar het examen?
  • je eigen laptop;
  • je oplader;
  • bij voorkeur ook je faciliteitenattest. Zo kan je tonen dat je recht hebt op examenfaciliteiten als een docent of toezichter hierover een vraag heeft.
     
  • Gebruik je voorleessoftware tijdens het examen? Neem dan ook mee:
    • oortjes met een kabel (geen bluetooth-oortjes);
    • of een hoofdtelefoon van het leercentrum. Reserveer die op tijd via Cheqroom.
       
• Wifi tijdens het examen
  Let op: Gebruik tijdens het examen het wifi-netwerk campusroam. Anders werkt de voorleessoftware niet.

• Learn more about Microsoft 365 tools via the links above.
• Find more information about TextAid’s features (in Dutch)
• Having trouble activating or using TextAid? Contact the Academic Software help center via chat, mail or phone.

• If you have problems activating and using TextAid, please contact Academic Software's help center via chat, mail or phone. If the problem is not solved this way, please report your question to the service desk.
• Students and colleagues who have questions about a Special Status and facilities can contact the care coordinator of their campus. More info here.