LETRE-AUDIRE: Humanize Text-to-Speech Scanner for Blind and Visually

Impaired Students

RESEARCHER:

Arriane Chloe O. Destresa

Ma’am Mischelle D. Hidalgo

Research Adviser
 SUMMARY

Visual impairment is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide and

has a significant impact on many aspects of daily life, including education. The
impact of visual impairment on the learning of students goes beyond simply seeing.
An integral part of their learning experience is the visualization of information
graphics such as plots, maps, plans, charts, tables, and diagram forms. In this study,
the researcher aims to develop a text-to-speech device scanner that can scan and
read any kind of text by changing the text to audio and delivering the right tone and
emotion the listener can fully understand the message translated. This will ensure
that visual impairment no longer poses a barrier to academic success. Letre-Audire
is a device that will act as an artificial eye for visually impaired people that will ease
the difficulty of reading learning materials.

BACKGROUND AND THE PROBLEM

Visual impairment is referred to as a significant loss of vision that cannot be

fully corrected by eyeglasses, contact lenses, or medical interventions. It is a disease
that affects millions of people worldwide and has a significant impact on many
aspects of daily life, including education. The impact of visual impairment on the
learning of students goes beyond simply seeing. An integral part of their learning
experience is the visualization of information graphics such as plots, maps, plans,
charts, tables, and diagram forms. However, for a visually-impaired student
assessing the graphical materials is burdensome. Textbooks, hand-outs, and other
learning materials are frequently not available in alternative formats that are
appropriate for them such as the braille system, large print, or digital versions that
are compatible with screen readers. The students with visual disabilities in Weldeya,
a capital city of Ethiopia have faced enormous obstacles to precede that their
education was completely different to other non-disabled students. In the Philippines,
visually impaired students also experience different kinds of difficulties, such as
mobility, social adjustments, coping with lessons, and even bullying. They can even
become more sensitive and eventually lose their motivation to go to school (Yonzon
D., 2018). It is still a major problem that majority of the educational institutions offer
limited support for students with visual problems. Hence, addressing these barriers
requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes inclusive design, adaptive
technologies, and comprehensive support services.

Assistive technology has revolutionized the educational landscape for

individuals with visual impairments. With the assistance of technology, the visually-
impaired students were quite motivated and they could easily communicate with
each other and also with people outside their organization (Silman, F. et al., 2017).
The integration of adaptive technology in classrooms and learning environments has
fostered a more inclusive and equitable educational system, ensuring that visual
impairment no longer poses a barrier to academic success. Screen readers, text-to-
speech software, and other audio-assistive technologies play a vital role in ensuring
that visually impaired individuals can fully engage with digital content and
applications. Students who are blind and suffer from low vision, sight, and visual
impairment are not able to see words and letters in ordinary learning materials such
as books and articles on the internet. Therefore, with the development of a text-to-
speech device that can scan and read any kind of text by changing the text to audio
and delivering the right tone and emotion the listener can fully understand the
message translated. Letre-Audire is a device that will act as an artificial eye for
visually impaired people that will ease the difficulty of reading learning materials.

BENEFICIARIES

After coming up with the result, this study aims to give benefits to the
following:

Visually Impaired Students. The development of the text-to-speech device will

help visually impaired students in reading the learning materials by listening to the
audio of the converted words. It will also boost their self-esteem to participate in the
discussion without hindrance. Moreover, it will improve their reading comprehension
by knowing the appropriate tone and emotion that the message conveys.

Teachers. Education learning systems should adopt inclusivity. The help of

the text-to-speech device will make the discussion of the teachers to be more
inclusive, ensuring that students with reading disabilities, visual impairments, or
other challenges can access the learning materials seamlessly.

Parents. The creation of the LETRE-AUDIRE device will support their child
with visual impairment on their learning journey. This will make it easy for them to
communicate with their child. It will also lessen the worries of the parents that their
child might be left behind with their other non-disabled students.

Future Researchers. This study aims to provide reliable and significant

information. In connection, this can help students, professionals, or any other
individuals who will conduct studies related to this topic as a reference and provide
guides and some data.

Researcher, Itself. In conducting the study, the researcher will be able to

enhance her knowledge of the situation of the visually impaired students from the
local perspective. In addition to this, she will be more enlightened about how the
country’s education system addresses this kind of problem.

PROPOSED SOLUTION
a. Methods/Details of the Proposed Solution

The materials that will be utilized in this study for the system are written
below:

 Camera: A high-resolution camera is essential for capturing clear images

of text.
 Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Engine: An OCR engine is needed
to convert captured images into text format.
 Text-to-Speech (TTS) Engine: A TTS engine converts text into audible
speech.
 Processor: A powerful processor is required to handle the real-time
processing of image capture, OCR, and TTS conversion.
 Battery: A long-lasting battery is crucial for portable use.
 Speaker: A high-quality speaker ensures clear and understandable audio
output.
 Software: User-friendly software is needed to control the scanning process
and provide navigation options.

Below are the methods on creating the system.

Phase I: Preparing and Gathering the Materials

The, Microcontroller or Single-Board Computer, Camera or Scanner,
Display Module, Speech Synthesis Module, Audio Output System, will be
purchased from an online selling company. Software will be needed so the
researcher will make one.

PHASE II – Construction of the Software

Develop the software that will analyze the captured text and convert it
to synthesized speech. It includes implementing optical character recognition
(OCR) algorithms to convert scanned text into machine-readable format, as
well as speech synthesis algorithms to generate spoken output.

PHASE III – Integrating the Accessibility Features

Use accessibility features to make the device more user-friendly for
visually impaired individuals. This could include options for changing the
speed or volume of the speech, managing the text, and providing audio
prompts or feedback.

PHASE IV – Testing
Conduct extensive testing with blind and visually impaired people to
gather feedback and make any necessary changes. This includes testing the
accuracy and reliability of the OCR and speech synthesis algorithms, as well
as ensuring that the device meets the target users' particular needs.
b. Illustrations, Figures, and Graphs

 Sketch of Device

REFERENCES
Denmark L. Yonson. (2018). Searching the Light: Experiences of Visually-Impaired
Students Attending Mainstream School. US-China Education Review B, 8(9).
https://doi.org/10.17265/2161-6248/2018.09.003

Edward, S. (2018). Text-to-Speech Device for Visually Impaired People.

ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326224279_Text-to-
Speech_Device_for_Visually_Impaired_People

Silman, F., Yaratan, H., & Karanfiller, T. (2017). Use of Assistive Technology for
Teaching-Learning and Administrative Processes for the Visually Impaired
People. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics Science and Technology Education.
https://www.ejmste.com/article/use-of-assistive-technology-for-teaching-
learning-and-administrative-processes-for-the-visually-4909

Temesgen, Z. (2018). School Challenges of Students with Visual

Disabilities. International Journal of Special Education.
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1196725.pdf