Text to talk programs for school kids/audio text books?

[PrincessMommy]

When my son was tested earlier this summer they suggested a couple of programs to use for school.  I'm looking specifically for one that has common school texts and books.  

 

Because we thought we'd be moved by now, all that paperwork is packed and in storage.  I tried doing a google search, but its overwhelming to weed through the options.  Plus, I'd like recommendations from people who have used them.  

 

Anyone have some good recommendations.  We're a month away from school and we need to start reading his summer reading.

[zoobie]

Audible plus the kindle that keeps track with where you are in each.

 

Learning Ally used to be Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic. https://www.learningally.org We tried it several years ago, but DD didn't enjoy the way things were read. (Volunteers vs professionals in audible.) You need someone "official" (our OH tutor who was a private school reading specialist with credentials did for my DD) to sign the form certifying a need for Learning Ally.

[Heathermomster]

Bookshare.org is a free service that provides books to dyslexics.  Joining Bookshare should be straightforward if you already have a LearningAlly account.  DS uses the app VoiceDream to listen to his BookShare books.  The VoiceDream app is available on both Android and iPad/iPods and can read aloud multiple formats so maybe check them out.  

 

The library service offers audio books.  We have used TTS with Kindle books and Kindle's Whispersync with Audible.

 

ETA:  Just wanted to add that DS increases the reading speed and adjusts the pitch so that he can listen comfortably.  Listening to text books would take too long otherwise.

 

Edited August 1, 2017 by Heathermomster

[PrincessMommy]

Thank you for this.  We used to have LearningAlly when my son was at an LD school, but I couldn't remember the name!  We no longer have the free access since we're not at that school.   IIRC, his current school has no account with any of these places.  I need to call to find out, but it's hard to get information right now because of summer break.

 

I'm going to start the process with one because I need to get in gear for the "proof of disability" forms.  Fortunately, he just had an updated Psch-Ed. test done in June so the psychologist has been very helpful with forms and such.

[dsmith]

Some of the traditional text books that have a digital format have the option to listen to an audio of the text. It's been so long that I don't remember specific ones we used, but I'm sure you could check with the major publishers.