Synthetic speech mark-up language (SSML) impacts how text-to-speech renderings of chemical and other customized spoken words can be spoken by commercially available speech output programs. This capability is valuable for students with visual impairments that rely on speech output as a major tool to access textbooks. Currently synthetic speech output speaks chemical expressions as word and not by their proper chemical names. For example, NaCl is pronounced, "NaCl," instead of sodium chloride. It uses the sequence of consonants and vowels to interpret them as words.  SSML serves as a powerful multi-sensory access tool for students with print disabilities. However, the access technology industry does not widely support the use of SSML in commercially available products. Electronic book publishers and other on-line course content providers are encouraged to support SSMl. This will open doors of opportunity for access to technical content in chemistry and other sciences.

Importance of synthetic speech mark-up language in the teaching of chemistry concepts in a multi-sensory way

255th National Meeting (2018)

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