Open Web-Based Text-to-Speech Services for the Citizens

Abstract

A system is presented that offers a set of complementary services based on text-to-speech technology. The services and the underlying system that supports them are described. These services include: (a) a service for automatic document-to-speech conversion via e-mail, (b) an open library of audio books, and (c) a dynamic audio news service. The system seeks to maximize the availability and the social impact of text-to-speech technology, making its benefits widely available to the public through open services that address important daily needs of persons with visual impairments and reading difficulties. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014