Accessibility Guide

Text-to-Speech
for Dyslexia

Updated October 2026 · On-device voices with real-time word highlighting

Dyslexia affects roughly 1 in 5 people. Reading text on a screen can be slow, tiring, and frustrating — but listening to that same text while following along visually changes the experience. Text-to-speech with synchronized word highlighting gives the brain two channels of input at once: auditory and visual. Research consistently shows this multi-sensory approach improves decoding accuracy, comprehension, and reading stamina.

LocalReader is an iPhone app that reads PDFs, EPUBs, and web pages aloud using on-device neural voices with real-time word highlighting. Every word highlights as it's spoken, the speed adjusts from 0.5x to 3.0x, and it all works offline. No internet, no cloud, no tracking.

Why word highlighting matters for dyslexia

Plain audio (podcasts, audiobooks) helps, but it doesn't build reading skills. When text-to-speech is paired with synchronized word highlighting, the reader's eyes track along with the audio. This creates a connection between the written word and its spoken form — the exact skill that dyslexia makes difficult.

• Visual + auditory anchoring — Each word lights up as it's spoken, reducing the chance of losing your place
• Decoding support — Hearing the correct pronunciation while seeing the word helps with recognition
• Reduced cognitive load — The brain doesn't have to decode and comprehend simultaneously
• Speed control — Slow down to 0.5x for careful practice, or speed up to 2x–3x when comprehension is strong

How LocalReader supports dyslexic readers

Who benefits

• Students with dyslexia — Read textbooks, worksheets, and assigned readings with audio support
• Adults with dyslexia — Process work documents, contracts, and long articles without fatigue
• Parents and educators — Set up reading sessions with age-appropriate documents. No account or setup required
• Language learners — Hear correct pronunciation while following the text at a comfortable speed
• Anyone with reading fatigue — Long documents are easier to absorb with audio + visual tracking

Getting started

1. Download LocalReader from the App Store (free)
2. Open or share a PDF, EPUB, or web page into the app
3. Choose a voice and set speed to 0.5x–1.0x for comfortable reading
4. Press play — words highlight as the voice reads

The free tier includes 2 neural voices and 30 minutes of daily playback. No account creation, no email, no setup. Download and start reading.

FAQ

How does text-to-speech help with dyslexia? ▼

Text-to-speech with synchronized word highlighting provides simultaneous visual and auditory input. Research shows this multi-sensory approach helps people with dyslexia decode text more accurately, improve reading comprehension, reduce fatigue, and build reading confidence. The listener hears each word while seeing it highlighted on screen.

Is LocalReader good for dyslexia support? ▼

Yes. LocalReader provides real-time word highlighting synced to natural neural voices, adjustable speed from 0.5x to 3.0x, and support for PDFs, EPUBs, and web pages. The 0.5x speed is particularly useful for careful reading practice. All features work offline, so there's no latency or buffering to disrupt the reading flow.

Can children with dyslexia use LocalReader? ▼

Yes. LocalReader has no account requirement, no ads, no tracking, and no social features — making it safe for children. The adjustable speed and clear word highlighting help young readers follow along at their own pace. Parents can download documents into the app for supervised reading sessions.

Is LocalReader free for dyslexia support? ▼

The free tier includes 2 on-device neural voices, 30 minutes of daily playback, and all document formats. This is enough for daily reading practice. Premium ($9.99/month or $59.99/year) unlocks all voices, unlimited playback, and all 8 languages.