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CLEMMONS, NC - It's always challenging for a parent to help a child overcome a reading disability -- especially when reading is such an essential part of the learning and educational process. As the father of a learning-disabled son, Canadian Greg D. of Calgary knew those challenges firsthand, so he searched for the best tools and solutions to meet them -- and that's when he discovered TextAloud, the PC program from NextUp Technologies (http://www.NextUp.com). Through his use of the popular Text to Speech software, Greg was able to assist his son not just to overcome his learning disability - but to actually triumph over it.

TextAloud is an affordable PC program that allows any computer user to easily listen to their reading in natural-sounding computer speech, straight from the computer - from websites and e-mails, to eBooks and scanned text from any one of a variety of books or textbooks. Users can also take that speech anywhere they go with TextAloud, exporting to sound files that play on any iPod, iPhone, or other portable device - or even in the car.

Greg discovered the program when his son's learning disability was affecting his grades in high school. They had tried a variety of tools throughout the years to combat his reading difficulties, but with little success. A doctor who specialized in learning disabilities recommended searching for a high-tech solution, and that's when Greg decided to try Text to Speech. "I did some research and sure enough, I found TextAloud, which was uncomplicated and effective, and which did exactly what we wanted," adds Greg. "It was very easy for my son to use, and the next thing we knew, he was listening to his reading with the program."

The gamble worked, and TextAloud was soon actively helping Greg's son circumvent his disability through reading by ear. "At the time my son began to use TextAloud, he was in a language development (LD) class with a word recognition of approximately 500 words," comments Greg. "Today, through reading with Text to Speech, the number of words he recognizes is immeasurable."

To acclimate his son to the new program, Greg first sat with him in front of the computer, introducing each aspect of the program until it was understandable and familiar. "The next thing I knew, he was using the program on his own, and had the confidence to do so," Greg adds. The program's simple and elegant interface enabled his son to quickly and easily begin listening to his reading aloud.

The use of the TextAloud program not only improved Greg's studies and retention, it also opened up new lines of communication for him via e-mail, enabled him to utilize the web, and even allowed him to begin reading by ear for pleasure as well as study. Greg's son made it through high school with flying colors, and he continues to use TextAloud even as he now administers two online sports and gaming forums. "Without TextAloud, it would be impossible for him to interact with others through written words in this way," adds Greg.

TextAloud ultimately strengthened the bond between father and son, even as it enabled his son to achieve greater independence, through no longer having to rely on others to get through his reading or studies. "TextAloud was like having a built-in teacher, teaching him to read," comments Greg. "My son no longer goes to school, but I can assure you that if the schools had Text to Speech available in their Language Development classes, it would really enhance both study and the use of the Internet for any young student."

Greg highly recommends the program to people who have children or other family members who have difficulty with visual reading. "TextAloud opened up a whole new world for my learning disabled son, and gave him a new lease on life," he adds. "He has the ability to answer e-mails, communicate with people on web sites, read, study, understand, and learn. He has gained confidence and self-esteem -- so important for those overcoming a disability. It took me only a day to see how valuable the program was to my son -- and it continues to be a daily resource for him."

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, 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.