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CLEMMONS, NC - As an easy way to listen to almost any computer text, TextAloud, the PC software from NextUp.com, has become a useful resource for those battling learning, reading and visual disabilities. For these powerful assistive technology uses, and more, TextAloud has now been honored with a nomination by the 2011 da Vinci Awards (R) in the "Communication/Educational Aids" award category.

TextAloud is the Text to Speech software that allows anyone to listen to their reading on the PC, or on the go. The software is priced from $29.95, and will not only read almost any PC text aloud in natural-sounding computer speech (from e-mails, to websites, PDFs, documents, and more), but will also export that text to audio files that can be listened to via iPods, iPhones, assorted MP3 players, or a wide range of other portable devices.

"NextUp.com has received an overwhelming response from users living with disabilities and their loved ones, on how TextAloud has transformed their lives," comments NextUp.com President Rick Ellis. "We're truly honored at its nomination by the da Vinci (R) Awards."

TextAloud enables those with dyslexia, reading or learning disabilities to do their learning and reading by ear, where many are strongest, allowing them to bypass the visual element that may slow down reading comprehension. With word highlighting as the text is spoken, TextAloud also enables these users to "read along" visually, to strengthen reading and comprehension through visual reinforcement of the listening material. This option also enables dyslexics to proof by ear in order to catch mistakes (and most of all, homophones) that might go uncaught when using a traditional spell-check.

For a broad spectrum of visually disabled users, meanwhile, TextAloud offers an inexpensive alternative to screen readers, which can be highly expensive to purchase. TextAloud also offers access to an array of inexpensive yet far more human-sounding and naturalistic Premium Voices, a definite plus, as screen readers are known for their often robotic voice qualities.

The da Vinci Awards will announce finalists in early December, with the awards ceremony itself to take place on September 22, 2011, at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

About the 2011 da Vinci Awards (R)
n 2001, the Michigan Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society established the da Vinci Awards (R), an annual gala event which has become a prestigious international forum of recognition for the most innovative developments and research in adaptive and assistive technology. It is the only awards program in the world to both celebrate people who triumph over disabilities and to honor those who have developed new technologies and innovations that enhance mobility and enable people to function at their fullest. For more information, visit http://www.davinciawards.org.

About TextAloud
TextAloud has been featured in The New York Times, PC Magazine, Writer's Digest, on CNN, and more. Hailed by critics and users alike, TextAloud is priced at just $29.95, and is compatible with systems using Windows (R) 98, NT, 2000, XP and VISTA. The program is available for fast, safe and secure purchase via /purchase.html.

NextUp.com also offers TextAloud with optional premium voices from AT&T Natural Voices™, Nuance®, Acapela® and Cepstral® for the most natural-sounding computer speech anywhere. Available languages include U.S. English, U.K. English, Indian Accent English, Scottish Accent English, Arabic, Cantonese Chinese, Mandarin Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Belgian Dutch, Faroese, Finnish, French, Canadian French, German, Greek, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, Russian, Castilian (European) Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Mexican Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish.

About NextUp.com
NextUp.com, a division of NextUp Technologies, LLC, provides award-winning Text to Speech software for consumers, business customers, educators, and those with visual or vocal impairment, or learning disabilities.

In addition to TextAloud, NextUp.com markets other innovative Windows software designed to save time and deliver vital information. NextUp Talker is an easy and affordable program that allows people who have lost their voices to use the latest in high-quality computer voices to communicate with others.

Note to Editors:

Evaluation copies of TextAloud are currently available upon request. To receive a review copy, or for more information on NextUp.com or TextAloud, please contact publicist Angela Mitchell at (904) 982-8043.

All companies and products referenced in this press release are the trademarks of their respective owners.