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Restormel: Text to speech

Cornwall Library Service is trialling the use of innovative new computer software designed to help people with dyslexia to read text on computer screens.


The “Text to Speech” software, which has been developed to help dyslexics and people with other conditions which make it difficult to read text on computer screens, will be trialled at Newquay Library. If the trial is successful, the software will be introduced in other libraries across the county.

“Cornwall Library Service has 200 public access computers and offers a half hour free use every day to all of its customers, with additional free time for young people and customers on means tested benefits” said Chris Ramsey, Head of the Library Service. “The arrival of computers in our libraries as part of the Government’s People’s Network scheme has been tremendously successful, with visits to libraries specifically to use computers quadrupling over the last three years”.

Initial reaction to the new facility has been very positive. A parent of one of the first users of the new software said “It was fantastic to see my son so enthusiastic and excited because for the first time he was independent. It was so easy to use and really opens up a whole new world to all dyslexics, children and adults alike.”

The project has the full support of Eric Brooke, the Council’s Executive Member for Community Services, who is himself dyslexic and appreciates the problems the condition can create for computer users.

“Newquay will be leading the way and if this innovation proves as successful as I anticipate, the rest of Cornwall will follow.