Messiah College students with low-vision or text-related reading impairments benefit by using electronic text (e-text).  When electronic text is not available through other resources, Disability Services can scan the student's textbook and convert to computer-readable text. We currently are able to offer about 200 required texts each semester to our students in this alternate format.  Specific details about the text conversion process are found here: Messiah College Text Conversion Process

E-text allows students to use the search function to locate keywords or a specific chapter or page number. It allows students to view an exact image (although in black & white) of all the pages in a book while also listening to the text being read by the computer. Text is read by a simple screen-reader, some of which are available for free download over the Internet.

Specific Procedures for Using E-Text

Hardware requirements:
A PC with Windows 9x/ME/NT4/2000 installed.
Pentium II, 330 mhz or above, 128K memory
45 MB hard-drive space, Internet access

PLEASE NOTE: Messiah College is a Windows-based campus. Students providing their own computers should have compatible equipment to use this software.

Getting your text in e-text format:

1. Meet with the Office of Disability Services staff to determine eligibility.  Approved students should provide a list of classes or the books they would like to have in an alternate format.  Eligible students must sign and return the Alternate Text Agreement before e-text can be provided. 
2. Students are required to show evidence of purchase of a textbook. Copyright laws allow production of alternate formats for individuals with disabilities, but those making copies must be sure students "own" their copy purchased legitimately. Making additional copies is prohibited. See the Alternate Text Agreement (lined above).
3. Pick up completed CDs from the Disability Services office. Note that CDs remain the property of Messiah College and are to be returned to Disability Services at the end of the semester.

Installing the software:                                                              Back to Top of Page

1. Download and "install" your choice of screen reader on your computer:   For PC users, Verbose, Text Aloud, ReadPlease, D-Speech, E-Text Reader IGT, JAWS, or Natural Reader  - all have free download versions - download the one you prefer - some of the downloads are limited to a period of time or limited access.  Deskbot is a text reader that uses animated characters with Text-to-Speech tehnology.   Thunder is a version best used by users who are blind or have low-vision.   MAC users should try VoiceOver (installed in newer models), Ghostreader, or Digital Future.  More help for MAC users are included below.  All of the free downloads have a version to purchase which has more features.  You will need to select the version you believe is best for you. You may also need to download the current version of  Adobe Acrobat if it is not already installed on your computer.
2. After you have installed these programs, double-click on the icons to run them.

Reading the text:

1. Place the desired CD-R in the CD drive. Open the file and select the section of text you want to copy. 
2. Copy and paste into the screen reader, following the directions for the screen reader you have chosen to download.

Students who have trouble with this process, should contact Disability Services for assistance.

Converting Alternate Text to MP3 Format          

Students can convert their own alternate text for use in their MP3 player following the instructions listed below:

There are several screen reader programs available online that also offer MP3 conversion. For example, Text Aloud is a free download that uses the standard Microsoft Sam voice to convert files to MP3 format directly from Word documents and PDFs. Verbose is another free download, but offers additional synthesized voices to convert Word documents to WAV files. Free companion software allows users to convert from WAV to MP3 format. With Verbose, you will need to copy and paste text from PDFs into the screen reader or convert to Word format before converting to MP3 format. Natural Reader offers screen reading using the standard Microsoft Sam voice with the free download of the program. By upgrading to the paid version, users have the additional option of converting text to MP3 format using two natural voices. Students will need to choose the program that suits their needs best.

When converting text to MP3 format, it is best to divide the text and save each chapter as a separate MP3 file. If the chapters are saved as separate documents, use the screen reader to open the document. If the text is not already divided by chapter, copy and paste each chapter separately into the screen reader. The chapter will appear on screen without any pictures or images. Edit the page, making sure any irregularities are fixed, eliminating any text that you would not want read (i.e. footnotes, etc.). You may also want to make a two line space between paragraphs so the MP3 will make a space of time between thoughts.

Select the desired reading speed in your screen reader, between 185 (normal speaking rate) and 215 (a bit faster). Some screen readers set the default speed at “0”, with “-1” being slightly slower and “1” being slightly faster. Assign each chapter a title that will allow you to find the file in your player. This adjustment must be done with each new chapter.

If using Text Aloud, select the “Speak to File” button and choose a destination folder that you will be able to find later. Click “Save Speech” in Verbose, or “MP3” in Natural Reader. If using another screen reader, follow the directions for the screen reader to make the conversion. While the directions may vary between programs, they will be relatively the same.

Directions for MAC users are included below.

E-Text on the Web                         Back to Top of Page

Below are listed a few of our frequently referenced resources for finding E-text on the web, some with notes:

• Project Gutenberg - a great resource for older books and classics that can be downloaded free
• Hathi Trust Digital Library - a digital repository for research libraries
• Librivox - provides e-text and mp3 files for public domain books in the U.S.
• InftyReader - does OCR on mathematical equations
• Bookshare - lots of books available in DAISY format
• Bible Gateway - you can click to listen to the NIV passage read by a human voice
• NRSV Bible  - this is the version required in Messiah College Bible classes.  Just paste in the screen reader
• Spoken Text - allows you to do your own text conversion of documents
• Speech friendly tax forms
• Adelaide
• Blind Bookworm
• Academic Archives
• Boston University
• Internet Public Library
• Bilingual Books
• HTI
• Bartleby
• U Michigan
• Audible.com - audiobooks available for purchase, some required texts may be available here
• CMU Universal Library
• Read Assist - free science fiction
• Texas Text Exchange
• Alex E-text
• netLibrary.com
• TeleRead
• National Academies Press
• Library of Congress
• Electric Library
• Ostrich
• Read 'Em and Speak!
• U Penn
• Alternative Text Info
• Oklahoma Baptist Univ
• U Calgary
• Search Ebooks

Instructions for MAC users                             Back to Top of Page

An alternative way for mac users to access the text to speech:

To set up

Step 1: Open System Preferences

Step 2:Click on speak icon

Step 3: Click on Text to speech

Step 4: Select a system voice and speaking rate

Step 5: Click “Set Key” button

Step 6: Decide what key combination you will be able to remember (3 keys combines)

To use

Step 1: Highlight text in any document or email

Step 2: Hold down selected key combination

Step 3: Hold down Combination again to turn off

 To convert text to an mp3 file

Step 1: Download Audiobook Maker  

Step 2: Go to applications folder

Step 3: Open Text Edit

Step 4: Paste desired text to Text Edit document

Step 5: Open application.  This will convert the open Text Edit document to an mp3 file, which will appear on your desktop

Step 6: Click on music file -will open in itunes.