ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this week's episode, Tim Burnett chats with Hugh McNeela, Sales Account Manager for Corporate Learning (UK & Ireland) at ReadSpeaker.
They discuss:
- Why text-to-speech in assessments isn't just an accessibility tool, and how a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach benefits all candidates, including the 70% of people with neurodiversity challenges who never disclose their condition to employers
- How ReadSpeaker integrates directly into assessment platforms, from LMS environments like Moodle and Canvas through to high-stakes exam delivery, without compromising the security or integrity of assessments
- The real-world impact of TTS on learning outcomes, including how Penn Foster improved their 30-day course completion rates by 54% simply by adding text-to-speech to their content
Hugh and Tim explore what happens when accessibility is built into the design of an assessment from the start, rather than bolted on as a reasonable adjustment.
From reducing the logistical burden on teachers during exam days, to eliminating the stigma that stops learners from asking for help, ReadSpeaker's approach treats voice support as a core part of fair assessment — not an optional extra.
The conversation also touches on why deterministic TTS rendering matters in high-stakes exams, and how ReadSpeaker handles secure environments, including compatibility with safe exam browsers.
Connect with Hugh McNeela on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughmcneela/
Learn more about ReadSpeaker: https://www.readspeaker.com/?utmsource=testcommunitynetwork
Connect with Tim Burnett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tburnett/
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