Take a Picture of Text and Have It Read Out Loud

Key's quick tips are provided by Kelly Key, Assistive Technology Coordinator for Barrington 220.

This month's featured tool is built into the iPad's Camera app!

Live Text is a feature built into our iPad camera app. Take a picture of any text (typed or handwritten), press the Live Text icon, and it will read it out loud when the text is selected. Once a student uses the Live Text feature, the text can then be translated and read out loud in that language!

This feature can be used for many things:

• Take a picture of a reading passage on a worksheet and have it read out loud.
• Take a picture of the pages of a book and have them read out loud. 
• Take a picture of a handwritten note and have it translated and read out loud in that language.
• Take a picture of a sign or poster in the class and have it read out loud. 
• Take a picture of a recipe on a box and have it read out loud. 

Students will first need to turn on the Spoken Content feature in the iPad settings in order to make this work. Settings- Accessibility- Spoken Content (turn on) 

Directions for using Live Text:

• Open the Camera app.
• Take a picture of the text (be careful not to cut the words off or take it too far away).
• Press the Live Text button 
• Select the text (tap and drag to select).
• Press Speak. (You can also copy and paste the text from your photo!)

Teach your entire class these features by showing them these two short, interactive videos. They walk your student through how to turn it on and use these features! They were created for middle school students, but can be used for anyone!


Spoken Content Interactive Video-10 minutes


Live Text Interactive Video- 8 Minutes

Have a worksheet or book for the students to take a picture of or click HERE for a worksheet to use.