Text-to-Speech for Accessibility
Text-to-speech (TTS) converts written text automatically into spoken language and is provided through operating system features, browser extensions or dedicated read-aloud buttons on websites. Unlike a screen reader, TTS usually reads out only the visible text without announcing structure such as headings or link targets, but it helps people with dyslexia, a visual impairment, difficulty concentrating or limited language skills.
In practice
Screen readers such as NVDA or JAWS remain indispensable for blind users, because they read out code and semantics, for instance heading levels or link targets. An additional read-aloud function, such as ReadSpeaker or the built-in speech output of Windows, macOS and iOS, is rarely a legal requirement, but it can make a site easier to use. The important point is to treat TTS as a supplement to clean, semantic HTML rather than a replacement for it: a read-aloud button fixes neither missing alt text nor missing form labels.