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Accessibility Tips for Library Resources

HTML Read Aloud Database Features

Many EBSCO and Gale databases provide a read aloud option and download to mp3 feature for full-text articles available in HTML format.

In the Library's EBSCO databases like ATLA PLUS:

  1. Select the HTML Full Text link.
  2. Click on the orange play icon (appearing just under the article's title) to start the audio.
  3. You can select up to five accents from the drop down menu box.
  4. Click the download icon to download an mp3 file of the audio.

 

In the Library's Gale resources like the Encyclopedia of Judaica:

  1. Select an entry from the encyclopedia
  2. Click on the green play icon (appearing just above the entry) to start the audio.
  3. Click the download icon to download an mp3 file of the audio.

PDF Read Aloud Readers

In Windows web browser Microsoft Edge:

1. From the EBSCO database results screen, select the PDF Full Text link.

2. From the top menu select Download PDF to open the PDF in a new browser window

3. Click on Read aloud icon represented by a capital A and two speaker marks.

4. Control reading speed and select voice options by clicking the Voice options icon on the right.

 

 

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat both have a read aloud feature. This feature will allow PDFs that are ADA accessible to be read out loud for patrons.

In Windows OS to turn the read aloud feature on:

  • open the PDF
  • go to the View option at the top of the screen and select Read Out Loud and then scroll down to the last option listed called, Activate Read Out Loud
  • click on the screen to begin reading

To pause, select a specific section, or, read to the end of the document, select view, the read out loud option, and then the appropriate option (pause, etc.)

In Mac OS to turn the read aloud feature on:

  • open the PDF
  • go to the Edit option at the top of the screen and select Speech and then select the option, Start Speaking
  • reader will start automatically

To stop, select Edit at the top of the screen, then select Speech, and last select the option, Stop Speaking