Supporting Students with Audio Tools
Did you know your students have access to a variety of audio supports that can make reading more accessible and engaging? From read-aloud features to immersive reading environments, these tools can help students better understand, follow along, and enjoy what they’re learning — whether they’re decoding text, learning new vocabulary, or just need a boost in focus.
Here’s a quick look at some of the tools available across TTSD:
Audio Support Tools at a Glance
Tool
What It Does
Who Has Access
Platform/Where to Find It
Text-to-Speech (iPads & Chromebooks)
Reads on-screen text aloud to support comprehension.
✅ All Students
Device Accessibility Settings
Sora
Audiobooks and eBooks from the school library collection.
✅ All Students
Sora app or
soraapp.com
Storyline Online
Actors reading popular children’s books aloud. Great for fluency and engagement!
✅ All Students
www.storylineonline.net
Canvas Immersive Reader
Built-in reading support that can read text aloud, translate, and adjust font/spacing.
✅ All Students (in Canvas)
Within any Canvas page or assignment
Epic!
Thousands of read-along books and audiobooks for elementary readers.
🎒 Elementary Only
Epic app
Bookshare
Free e-book library with high-quality text-to-speech for students with IEP/504.
🧩 Students with IEP or 504
www.bookshare.orgUsing Read-aloud apps
Read&Write
Reads text aloud, provides picture dictionaries, and more literacy supports.
🧩 Students with IEP or 504
Chrome Extension
Tip for Teachers
Model these tools during lessons! When students see you using Immersive Reader in Canvas or turning on Read Aloud in Sora, they’re more likely to use them independently.
If you’re not sure which students qualify for IEP/504-specific tools like Bookshare or Read&Write, connect with your Assistive Technology Specialist, Case Managers or Literacy Specialists for guidance.
Literacy Specialists and Case Managers can administer the uPAR exam at any time to show the need for Audio Support.
Assistive Technology Specialist can be connected with via a Tech Request