Quick and easy access to TV listings has always been difficult for the visually-impaired. Program guides are designed for sighted audiences. The sliding timelines and tabular layouts are awkward to use with screen readers, particularly on mobile devices. It’s also tricky to access related program information, often located in graphic ads or call-out boxes.

The Talking TV Guide has been specifically designed by and for the visually-impaired. The new Guide combines customized content with web-based speech technology (IVONA Speech Cloud) to provide a highly efficient audio interface. This allows users to hear and freely interact with TV listings on any computer or web-enabled mobile device. Hot keys provide rapid navigation and instant access to further program information while the user listens, in real-time. High-quality IVONA TTS voices ensure The Talking TV Guide is not only the most efficient, but also the most intuitive programming guide available today.

TV Guide voiced by IVONA

"This is a fantastic example of how adaptive TTS technology like IVONA’s can reach across platforms and devices to increase access for everyone. We welcome this development and look forward to future innovations from IVONA.” said Steve Tyler, Head of Innovation and Development in Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB).

Ian Sharpe, developer of The Talking TV Guide, trained as an IT Systems Architect with a London-based, global IT services company, honing his skills on multimillion dollar projects ranging from Facial Image Recognition to telecommunications to data capture for the insurance industry. Ian is also a member of the Great Britain Paralympic Team since 1988, initially as a swimmer and more recently as a cyclist. He holds 10 Paralympic medals and retains the British able-bodied record for the 4 km tandem pursuit.

“Winning is all about commitment, passion and focus,” explains Ian Sharp “This carries over into my work. My passion is to make the web easier to use and I think the Talking TV Guide reflects this.”

Ian is currently based in his native Isle of Man, applying his varied expertise to solving web accessibility issues. Visually impaired users the world over look forward to his next contribution.