Text-to-speech programs enable a student to see text that is displayed on a computer screen, and simultaneously hear it read aloud.  The use of text-to-speech has been backed by research to support students with reading challenges by eliminating word recognition difficulties so that attention can be focused on reading comprehension.  When paired with word processing programs, text-to-speech can also provide a writer with feedback on what they have written in order to make revisions.  Text reading software may also provide a student with a means to hear content from the Internet, access e-books, and gain information from resource materials. 

Integrating text-to-speech software within classroom instructional activities has potential for educators to enhance the learning experience for many diverse learners.