ReadSpeaker Strengthens its Partnership with CAST to Advance Inclusive Course Design

ReadSpeaker, a leader in text-to-speech technology and voice-enhanced learning tools, has furthered its partnership with CAST, a nonprofit education research and development organization that champions inclusive and accessible learning practices and course design. The strengthened partnership will allow ReadSpeaker and CAST to meet the mutual goal of providing an educational environment that supports the individual needs of every learner.

ReadSpeaker, a champion of UDL for many years, aligns with UDL principles by providing visual and auditory alternatives, allowing students to engage with and absorb content in multiple ways, according to their needs. ReadSpeaker offers easy-to-access and easy-to-use text to speech for any content, which can be used individually or seamlessly integrated into a learning platform or LMS.

CAST’s Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, based in learning science, is an important element of their strategy to enhance course design to meet the needs of diverse learners. The UDL framework guides the design of instructional goals, assessments, methods, and materials to meet the individual needs of each student. ReadSpeaker is proud to be the voice of the CAST website, currently providing text to speech for the UDL Guidelines page and expanding to other pages in the coming months.

“At CAST, we are committed to transforming how learning experiences are designed so every learner has the opportunity to thrive. The CAST Universal Design for Learning framework provides a blueprint for addressing learner variability from the start. We value our partnership with ReadSpeaker as it aligns with our mission to eliminate barriers and expand access to meaningful learning for all,” said Lindsay Jones, CEO of CAST.

ReadSpeaker understands the importance of inclusive course design and the role text to speech has in helping all learners enjoy success. “ReadSpeaker is committed to strategically aligning with CAST to make education more accessible, rewarding, and effective for all learners through Universal Design for Learning. Text-to-speech technology can help remove barriers to learning and ReadSpeaker will continue to champion Universal Design for Learning principles.” said Matt Muldoon, President of ReadSpeaker North America.

With 25 years of expertise, ReadSpeaker’s text-to-speech solutions and voice-enhanced learning tools help make content accessible and engaging for a diverse population of learners. Integrated directly in learning platforms, or as an individual tool, ReadSpeaker provides easy-to-access and easy-to-use text to speech for any content, on any device, including assessments, assignments, STEM, OCR and quizzes. ReadSpeaker is 200+ voices in 50+ languages, working with 12 000+ customers in over 70 countries.

For more information, visit readspeaker.com and follow the company on X and LinkedIn.

CAST is a nonprofit education organization that created the Universal Design for Learning framework and UDL Guidelines, now used all over the world to make learning more inclusive. Our Mission: CAST leads, inspires, and convenes a global community to design equitable, inclusive learning experiences through our Universal Design for Learning framework. At the foundation of UDL is accessibility and accessible educational materials, as such, CAST runs The National Center on Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) and The Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES).

For more information, visit cast.org and follow the organization on X and LinkedIn.