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Speech controller is a setting on the iPad that allows students to add a menu on the iPad screen.
It helps students quickly have the iPad read out loud what is on the screen. It uses Speak Screen and Speak on Touch.
Speech Controller can support students to:
reduce fine motor demands
build independence
increase focus and attention
boost vocabulary skills
enhance control over reading tools
To turn on and off Speech Controller on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Tap each image below to learn more, and zoom in to get a closer look.
Go to "Settings".
Tap "Accessibility".
Tap "Spoken Content".
Tap the circle to toggle on Speak Screen (Speak Screen must be turned on in order for the Speech Controller option to appear on the screen), then tap "Speech Controller".
Tap the circle to toggle on "Show Controller". The Speech Controller icon will now appear on the screen.
Under Controller Actions, choose what the controller will do when a Long Press or Double Tap is done on the iPad. Change the Idle Opacity to choose how easy it is to see the speech controller on the screen when it is not being used.
The Speech Controller icon will appear on the screen whenever the iPad is being used. It can be moved anywhere along the perimeter of the screen by touching and dragging the icon to another area.
To turn off Speech Controller, return to the Spoken Content settings under Accessibility in the Settings app. Tap the circle to toggle off "Show Controller".
To use Speech Controller on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Go to an application, document, photo, or webpage with text. Tap the Speech Controller icon at the side of the screen to show the controller options.
Tap the triangle ("Play" button) to have the iPad read aloud all of the words on the page (Speak Screen).
Tap the go back icon to go back one sentence and have the iPad reread the previous text.
Tap the skip forward icon to have the iPad skip forward one sentence to read words further down on the page.
Tap the "Pause" icon to stop the iPad from reading aloud.
To select specific text (Speak on Touch), tap the finger in the Speech Controller, then tap the specific text to be read aloud. Depending on the shortcuts that were created while turning on Speech Controller in settings, double tapping the Speech Controller icon, then touching a part of the screen will also read aloud specific text. Before selecting specific text to be read aloud on a page, either tapping the finger icon in the Speech Controller or double tapping the icon will need to be done before selecting the text, every time.
Tap the "1x" icon to choose how fast the iPad will read aloud the words on the screen. Tapping the "1x" repeatedly will cycle through the choices between 1x, 1 1/2x, 2x, and 1/2x, with 1/2x being the slowest and 2x being the fastest.
The Speech Controller will be hidden at the side of the screen until it is opened up again by tapping the icon.
Step-by-step instructions according to the iPad's Operating System:
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With Speech Controller, students in the TDSB can:
stay focused on reading assignments in Language or History. Hearing the text read aloud can help students pay attention and understand the text.
learn a new Language or practice reading. Use "Speak on Touch" to read individual words or sentences they select.
have choice. Choose to hear or read the text on the screen, or both!
review and edit work. Use Speech Controller to listen to what they wrote to make sure it makes sense.
listen to instructions step-by-step. Understand written instructions and focus on important information.
Last Updated June 16, 2025
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