ClaroRead Plus
This
software has been developed to help PC users of all capabilities
create, read, view, scan and check text, and is integrated with
Microsoft Word®.
Online Price: $395.00
ClaroRead Plus provides text-to-speech support tools that allow computer users to read and write independently. By making a computer speak any text with a human voice, text documents can be proofed out loud along with web pages, e-mails and any other text.
- Speak This Word: Allows you to hear a single word spoken back with the chosen voice in Word, PDF, Outlook, Internet Explorer and more. Hold the CTRL key and ClaroRead 2008 will speak the word under the mouse.
- Save to Video: Building on the popularity of our Save to Audio feature in all versions of ClaroRead, we have now enhanced this to produce Save to Video. It is now possible to convert any text into a video with a high quality "voice over" synchronised with the text.
- Accessible PDF: ClaroRead has always allowed PDF files to be spoken aloud, and also converted into Microsoft Word format with the PLUS edition. We have now produced a standalone Accessible PDF reader, which is available as a free download for anyone by clicking Here.
- Additional Homophone and Spellcheck Correction Tools: Since ClaroRead 2007, the Advanced Settings Editor gives the freedom to add, delete and edit tricky words, misspellings, and homophones. ClaroRead 2008 also includes a spellcheck extension which looks for additional mispellings not captured by general spellchecking rules.
ClaroRead Plus can reduce reliance on teachers, partners, support staff and parents by giving its user the opportunity to achieve the same standards as everyone else.
- ClaroRead Plus has all the reading and writing tools necessary to provide you with highly-effective reading and writing assistance.
- Ideal for users who struggle with dyslexia or those who wish to learn a new language.
- Flawless text-to-speech capabilities.
- Easy to use interface.
- Inexpensive - has all the major product features at a major discount.
- Compatible with Dragon Naturally Speaking.
- Works seamlessly with Microsoft Office.
- Includes a range of voices in over 20 languages.
- Powerful scanning features.
- Can easily convert handouts, photocopies and books into Word documents.
- Homophone and word prediction feature great for developing specific curriculum.
- Talking Calculator adds voice to the Windows Calculator and figures from Microsoft Excel.
Product Highlights:
ClaroRead speaks back text as it is typed, allowing a student to check and proof-read their work quickly and easily. Text can be spoken at any point by highlighting individual sections of text and pressing Play - great for proofreading.
Close integration with Microsoft Word 2003 and 2007, and Internet Explorer 6
and 7 means you can click and play at any point in a document or web page.
A choice of male (RealSpeak Daniel) and female (Emily and Jane) human-sounding
voices give clarity and dispense with the robotic quality of most computer
voices.
Spoken words can be tracked using a custom color selection. Any accessible text under the mouse can be spoken if needed
A unique feature allows ClaroRead PLUS to echo back words and phrases
dictated into any text processor or email application using Dragon
NaturallySpeaking 8 and 9 (any version).
Make Audio files from text documents for listening to on your PC or a portable
audio player. Simply Select and Save - great for revision or listening on the
move. Audio quality has been further improved for 2007.
A Text to Speech Pronunciation Dictionary is available to modify the way words
are pronounced if needed.
Font and Colour Changing
When working in Microsoft Word, ClaroRead’s Font Button allows you to modify the font size, type, and colour of the whole document very easily.
You can:
Spacing
Text character, line and paragraph spacing using Microsoft Word menus requires some detailed knowledge. ClaroRead makes it simple to space out text, both in Word and on web pages using Internet Explorer 6 or 7. Pressing the Spacing Button when working in Word or Internet Explorer will help you:
Homophones and Tricky Words - Helping Choose the word
Homophones are words that are pronounced alike even if they differ in spelling or meaning, such as “pair” and “pear”.
ClaroRead Homophone features will:
Check Word - a single button press
ClaroRead provides a single Check Button for use in Microsoft Word that combines a homophone dictionary, thesaurus,reference dictionary and spellchecker, making the checking of your text and documents easier and more comprehensive.
If a word is a homophone the Homophone Check Box will appear, along with meanings. If the word has alternative words with the same or similar meaning, the Meaning Check Box will appear. You can then drill down further to see the dictionary definition. You can SpellCheck individual words or the whole of your document at any point.
The Check Boxes are fully speech enabled, so hovering the mouse over the words will make them speak. We also have over 1000 picture icons to help with word meanings.
Scan paper & Convert PDF files into Word (ClaroRead PLUS only)
Powerful optical character recognition (OCR) technology means that any paper document or PDF file becomes accessible. Through the integration of Omnipage 15 OCR engine, textbooks, photocopies and handouts are easily converted into Word documents. The text can then be spoken out by ClaroRead or edited. PDF files can also be unlocked and edited, opening a wealth of material for accessibility to every student, regardless of the format.
This feature works using all scanners with TWAIN or WIA compatible scanners.
Word Prediction
ClaroRead contains a word prediction feature, enhanced in the 2007 version, which can be useful for certain computer users. ClaroRead uses a base prediction dictionary consisting of the most frequently used words in the English language. The dictionary learns as you type, and rejects words that don't pass the automatic spellcheck.
The Prediction List will automatically appear by your cursor during typing. Alternatively, you can dock the Prediction windows anywhere on the screen to use it as a reference.
The ClaroRead Advanced Settings Editor now allows the creation of multiple Prediction Dictionaries, by importing words from existing documents. Ideal for creating subject and curriculum specific dictionaries, it puts the tool into the hands of the teacher.
Talking Calculator
ClaroRead adds a voice to the Windows Calculator. Enter the sum with the numeric keyboard and the figures will be echoed back to you.
The buttons on a standard and scientific calculator can also be spoken, providing the speech settings are enabled. In addition, figures from Microsoft Excel can be spoken when using the cursor keys to move around.
ScreenRuler Reading Bar - included with ClaroRead PLUS
ClaroRead PLUS includes the separate program ScreenRuler. ScreenRuler is a separate application that works as a reading bar and strip magnifier. This allows part of the PC screen to be highlighted and magnified in a horizontal band.
This will assist anyone with viewing and concentrating on text or objects. It provides a 'strip' or 'ruler' across the screen which can magnify, change contrast, and 'grey' or 'dim' a background.
System
Requirements
Windows XP, Vista Pentium 650 Mhz or above
